To me, the verses we will examine today supports the authenticity of the Bible. Throughout Scripture, we see the “heroes” of our faith are also very human; cursed with a sinful nature, just like the rest of us. But as the Lord will do sometimes, He takes a situation borne in conflict and works it out for the good. In this case, it is the dissolution of ONE dynamic team and turning it into TWO for the work growing and maturing disciples of Jesus Christ!!!

[Acts 15.36-41]

15.36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ From our reading so far in the Book of Acts, what do you know about Paul and Barnabas that could lead to a possible conflict between them? Read Acts 4.36, 9.26-27, Galatians 2.11-14 and Colossians 4.10.

+ Have you ever had a conflict with someone while performing Christian ministry? How did you settle your dispute?

+ Think of an argument that could be made for each side on this particular dispute between Paul and Barnabas. Can you think of a better way this “sharp disagreement” between brothers in the Lord could have been handled?

+ Compare/contrast this “sharp disagreement” with the “no small dissention” and the “debate” which took place in Acts 15.1-29.

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ So, what can be gleaned from a passage like this? Here’s a few thoughts I found helpful from Dave Guzik’s commentary on this passage:

When people are involved, there WILL be conflict and differences of opinion. Our job is to not let it get to a place where there is “sharp disagreement” or let it become a personal issue.
When it gets to the point where there is a “sharp disagreement” between people, someone IS in the wrong and there is usually wrong on both sides.
As Christians, we are commanded to resolve relationship problems with others before we present ministry to God ( Matt. 5.23-24). It is ALWAYS wrong to step over people in the name of ministry, and when it happens it MUST be made right.
Later, Paul came to minister with John Mark and to value his contributions to the work of God (Colossians 4.10; Philemon 4:24; II Timothy 4.11). We don’t know if it was Mark who changed or Paul who changed. Probably God had a work to do in both of them!!!

+ Heavenly Father, forgive us for our prideful attitudes that can even make their way into a situation where we are striving to serve You and Your purposes. Strengthen us to be humble servants, modeling the work of Your Son Jesus. Amen.

[Philippians 2:3-10]

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?