READ AGAIN: Acts 15:36-16:17

1. What had happened in the first part of Acts 15, that would have encouraged Paul to return to the mission field?
2. What was his stated purpose in going a second time? (15:36)
3. How had Paul and Barnabas become such good friends and co-workers? (9:26-31) What do we know about Barnabas from the following passages: 4:36? From 12:22-26?
4. What do learn from the end of chapter 13, and the first three verses of chapter 14? Who was John Mark?
5. At some point, (13:13) their young assistant had to cut short his mission trip. What might have prompted this decision?
6. When Paul and Barnabas purposed to take a second journey, what “glitch” occurred? What pros or cons might have fueled their “sharp disagreement” (the Greek word Luke uses here is paroxysmos (Heb, 10:24) which is a stimulation, a provocation, either good or bad. In 1 Cor. 13, the verb form is used in the verse “Love is not provoked.”
7. Can you remember a time when a disagreement like this broke a close relationship, and caused a radical change in your life or ministry?
8. What was the Proverb Matthew shared to illustrate how “Life Happens” and often interrupts our plans? (16:9)
9. How did God “work in all things for the good of those who love Him, who are the called according to His purpose.”? (Rom. 8:28) Can you share a time when the Lord did this in your life?
10. Jumping ahead to Paul and Silas’ experience in Chap. 16, what obstacles did they encounter in vs.6-7? Have you ever felt God closing a door on something you had planned?
11. What might have been God’s purpose in directing Paul, Silas, and Timothy in a different direction?
12. Why do think Paul was not totally discouraged and ready to give up when he met these roadblocks?
13. Given Paul’s example, how can we fulfill Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples” this coming week, as we go about our daily lives?