Becoming A Disciple Part 1
Matthew 10:2-4; Luke 6:12, 13
Message by Pastor Roe
When we look at the disciples as a group we see four were fishermen, one was a politician, one was a tax collector and the others were unknown. They were a diverse group in trade, personality, and background.
The first four were Peter, Andrew his brother, James, and John. These were the first called and the closest to Christ. Peter and Andrew are brothers and so are James and John. They also came from the same region and most likely grew up together. They came from Galilee which was known for developing disciples and rabbis.
To become a rabbi one had to become a disciple, mathetes. This was a long process and started with schooling at the age of 6 for both girls and boys called Bet Sefer. For six years they learned the scriptures and had to memorize the whole Torah, or the Pentateuch. This consists of the first five books of the Bible which were written by Moses.
Next, at the age of 13 the boys who had what it took were allowed to go one to Bet Midrash. At this time they were taught more scriptures and had to memorize the Tanach which was basically the rest of the Old Testament. The boys who were not chosen to go on took up the family trade and raised families with the girls.
Lastly, the best of the best went on to Bet Talmud at the age of 16 and it lasted till they were 30. This was a period of mimicking the rabbi. Doing exactly what he did, when he did it, and the way he did it. This is why Christ’s ministry started at 30.
These men knew what it meant to be a disciple and the process of sacrifice of becoming one. They all failed because they were all in other professions and yet Christ chose them. They were common men that turned the world upside down.
They used to say, “To become a disciple, one must walk in the dust of the rabbi.” Are you walking close in the dust of Christ?