Mark 3:13-19

Sharing Stories

To begin with, have a few people share their answers to this questions (everyone can share if you have time!)

• What does it mean to you to be a follower (or disciple) of Jesus? What are some different decisions you've made in your life because of your identity as a disciple?

Read Mark 3:13-19

• What do you think it means that Jesus 'appointed' [1] these men? What do you imagine they would have understood about their appointment?

• How does Jesus call us to follow him now? Is this the same or different to what's happening in this passage?

• James Edwards wrote, "Discipleship is a relationship before it is a task, it is a who before it is a what.” What do you think? Do you agree or disagree?

• What does the idea of being sent make you think or feel? Does it go on to affect the way you live? If so, in what ways?

• Discipleship can have a multiplying effect, as disciples follow Jesus's example and invest in others themselves. Have you ever experienced this (either someone investing in you, or you investing in someone else)? What happened?

Bringing it to Life

Baptist Mission Australia has a long history of ministry partnership with Baptist Union Papua New Guinea.

Here Nathan Reid, our PNG Advisor and a member of our National Team, shares the encouraging story of Belinda, an emerging leader:

“In 2024, I had the privilege of attending the graduation service at the Baptist Theological College in Kwinkya, located in the Baiyer River Valley, PNG. The college’s mission is to train and equip the next generation of Papua New Guinea’s missional leaders.

The event was filled with joyful songs, inspiring speeches, and the presentation of certificates, each met with loud applause and cheers. Yet, the most memorable moment of the ceremony came when a graduating student named Belinda stepped onto the platform to share her story.

Seated behind Belinda, I could see her handwritten notes trembling in her hands. Her finger moved shakily along the page as she nervously read each word aloud to the crowd.

Belinda is from Enga Province in PNG, a region plagued by tribal violence. Growing up, this violence disrupted her community to the point where schools could no longer function. Nevertheless, she heard the Gospel as a child and made a commitment to follow Jesus. She lived, worked and served faithfully in her village.

As Belinda and her husband listened to God’s Word together, they both felt a call to pastoral ministry. With the support of their church, they applied to the Baptist College in Kwinkya, prepared to embark on this new journey. However, there was a significant obstacle: neither Belinda nor her husband could read or write.

Belinda (pictured far right at the graduation) recounted her journey of attending adult literacy classes, describing the moments when she nearly gave up. Yet, through God’s direct encouragement and the unwavering support of the college faculty, she persevered. Over time, she learned to read and write, ultimately completing three years of theological study.

Standing on the platform that day, Belinda read from her own notes, sharing about God’s faithfulness, the honour of answering His call to ministry and the transformative power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. It was a joy to witness.”

Small Group Practice

Take some time as small group to affirm what you see God is doing in one another’s lives. Affirm where you notice the fruits and gifts of the Spirit. You might like to write these affirmations down on pieces of paper and then deliver them to one another to read and keep afterwards.

Additionally, Baptist Mission Australia has several projects that focus on the development of missional leaders across the world. Research one of these projects, pray for it and consider supporting it as a group. (Explore ‘Mission Leaders’ projects here)

This study has been adapted from a small group guide written by Nathan Reid from Baptist Mission Australia. The original guide can be downloaded here.

[1] the word translated 'appointed' in most translations is actually a very basic Greek word, poieo, meaning to do, to make, to create, or to fashion.