The Gospel and Imperfect People
Mike Smith
October 8th, 2023
Acts 15:36-41
“36After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the brothers and sisters in every town where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they’re doing.” 37Barnabas wanted to take along John who was called Mark. 38But Paul insisted that they should not take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. 39They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus. 40But Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended by the brothers and sisters to the grace of the Lord. 41He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.” —Acts 15:36 (CSB)
My
Jesus’ goal for his Church is
God still likes to draw
CP Group Discussion Questions
- Can you think of any “crooked sticks” in the Bible that God used to draw “straight lines”?
- Ask a volunteer to summarize Acts 15:36-41 in their own words. After they are done, does anyone have any details they’d like to add?
- On Sunday, Mike said, “My failures don’t get to determine my future.” Ask a volunteer to read Philippians 1:6 and another to read Romans 8:28. How can these two passages (if believed) change how we view our past failures? What about how we view our future?
- Mike mentioned that Jesus’ goal for this Church is unity, not uniformity. Why do you think churches (or other groups) are tempted to strive for uniformity in their hope of unity? Have you ever experienced pressure for full conformity/uniformity from a church?
- Mike mentioned that some things we believe are worth dying for, some things are worth dividing for or debating over, and some things we can simply decide for ourselves. Do you find it helpful to know that not every issue is “a hill worth dying on”? Why or why not?