Getting Along

Acts 15:36-41

Recap:

• What were your reflections from last week's study (or from Sunday's sermon) about how the early church dealt with disagreements about Gentile Christians?

Read Acts 15:36-41

• How does this passage contrast with the one that came before it?

The Greek word paroxysmos, translated here as 'sharp disagreement', can also be translated as 'angry dispute' or 'huge row'

• What does it say to you that Luke was willing to record this event 'warts-and-all' and not try to make Paul or Barnabas look better?

• See if you can put yourself in each man's shoes.

  • How does this look from Paul's perspective?

  • How does it look from Barnabas's perspective?

• Have you ever had a sharp disagreement with another Christian like this (or witnessed it happening)? Be sensitive and make sure not to share anything confidential or critical of others, but as much as you can, share how it made you feel to be in a situation like this.

Read Colossians 4:10 & 2 Timothy 4:11

(these letters were written by Paul many years after the events of Acts 15)

• What do these brief mentions in Paul's greetings show us about how things ended up for Paul, Barnabas and Mark? What does this tell us about the events of Acts 15?

Read Colossians 3:12-15

• From these words, written by Paul, what do you think he had learned by this point? How does God want us to work together, to love one another, and to live in His Kingdom?

• So then, what can we learn from Paul and Barnabas's falling out? How should we respond to disagreements and differences as God's people?

• Spend some time praying for one another, that the Spirit would give us a greater measure of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love.