1.“Lessons in discipleship”Mark 1:1-20

2:13-17

3:16-19

RESPOND TO THE CALL

1.Jesus calls people of different backgrounds and abilities

a) Mostly fishermen: probably all from Galilee

b) Their skills: tough working men, resourceful (Acts 4:13)

c) Jesus’ major appeal was to ordinary people (Mark 12:37) but there was a mix (Jn. 3:1;

Matt. 27:57; 1 Cor. 1:26) cf. Mk 10:17-25

2.Each gets a call (1:17,20; 2:14) cf. Jn. 1:43

a) It was a personal call - not general

b) The `call’ itself

`Come’

`Follow me’ - Jesus already known as Rabbi (teacher) Jn. 1:38

- mode of teaching - words and actions (1:21-28)

- an objective (8:27-29)

- it would be costly (8:31-35)

c) For us following Jesus entails:

i)Learning -getting to know Him personally, and His teaching

ii)Getting to know Him over a lifetime

iii) Suffering

iv)Obedience: 1 Peter 2:21)

3.So Jesus’ call demands a response (1:18,20; 2:14)

a) That’s the first step of obedience to Jesus

b) Jesus is still looking for people to follow Him

c) There’s a tremendous job to be done

- Much to learn, much to do

- What’s the response?

TALKING POINTS

1.RESPOND TO THE CALLMark 1:1-20;

2:13-17

1.a.What do you understand by God’s “calls” to us?

b.How can it relate to life in the local church, our daily work, “full-time” service?

2.How do we experience God’s call?

How would you respond to someone who said, “I don’t feel called to do anything particular for God.”

How can we know what God wants us to do for Him?

3.What is the relationship between Christ’s call to know Him as Saviour, and His call to follow Him day by day?

4.What are Christ’s objectives in `calling’ us?

What is involved in becoming `fishers of men’ (1:17)?

5.If we feel that Christ is calling us to any form of service, what steps should we take in responding to Him?

What is the present-day equivalent to the response of Simon and Andrew, James and John, and Levi (1:16-20; 2:14)?

6.What constraints does modern life (family, work, cultural and social conditions) impose on us in responding to Christ’s call?

7.What preparation is necessary to equip us for Christ’s service?How can we go about it?