Acts 15:36-41
ACTS STUDY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What did you find interesting or insightful in our study of Acts 15:36-41?
What is Paul’s motive for returning to Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe based on Acts 15:36? Based on the opposition they faced in Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, why might Paul be hesitant to include John Mark (cf. Acts 13:13)? Based on Barnabas’ personality and what is said about John Mark in Acts 13:5, why might Barnabas have wanted to include John Mark?
Acts 15:1-35 shows us unanimous agreement on a first-tier issue regarding salvation, while Acts 15:36-41 shows us disagreement on a third-tier issue regarding a young man’s usefulness for a specific missionary effort. What can we learn about disagreement between Spirit-filled believers from this chapter?
Do you have any positive personal examples of Christlike disagreement that you can share? Why or why not? What made it positive?
What do we learn about God’s word by the fact that the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas is made visible rather than hidden? How does this add credibility to the word and to the gospel?
What positive result came from the disagreement and parting of Paul and Barnabas? What does that tell us about God? What does that teach us about conflict and disagreement?
Though Paul objected to including John Mark in Acts 15:36-41, what does he later say about him in Colossians 4:10 and 2 Timothy 4:11?
What will you take away and apply from our study?
