Observation

This was a popular question as many candidates were attracted to it and they performed greatly in both Part (a) and Part (b). They gave relevant points as demanded by the question in both parts.

However, In (a) Part, the challenges most candidates encountered was that they ended their narrations on the call of the first five disciples which shows that they did not pay attention to the activities that surrounded the call of the other disciples including their names rather, they relied their strength on the call of the first five disciples. Some of the points expected by candidates are highlighted below.

i. The story of the call varies slightly from each gospel. According to Luke, Jesus prayed throughout the previous night for divine guidance before choosing the disciples.

ii. Furthermore, the disciples had different professions – fishermen, tax collectors, politicians, etc.

iii. According to Mark, shortly after Jesus' temptation, He passed beside the Sea of Galilee where He saw Simon Peter and his brother Andrew fishing, because they were fishermen.

iv. Jesus commanded them "follow me and I will make you fishers of men".

v. Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

vi. Moving a little farther, He saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John his brother who were in their boat mending their nets.

vii. He called them and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and followed Him.

viii. According to Luke, Jesus saw Simon and Andrew by the lake of Gennesaret. He got into Simon's boat and asked him to pull out a little from the land.

ix. After teaching from the boat for a while, Jesus asked Simon to put his net into the deep and let down their nets for a catch.

x. Simon lamented that they had toiled all night without a catch, but because of His words he would cast the net.

xi. They had a great catch and the boat began to sink.

xii. Jesus hushed their fears and told them they will be catching men.

xiii. Further on their way, Jesus saw Levi and called him to be his disciple.

xiv. Levi/ Matthew heeded Jesus' call and later organized a feast for Jesus and His disciples and some tax collectors.

xv. Jesus' feasting with tax collectors annoyed the scribes and the Pharisees.

xvi. Jesus' response to their accusation was "I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance".

xvii. The other disciples were Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, James, the son of Alpheaus, Simon, the Cananean, Judas the son of James and Judas Iscariot.

xviii. Religious/ vocational calls are therefore mandatory.