◄ Acts 15:38 ►
But Paul thought it best not to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Acts 15:38? 2. Why did Paul not want to take Mark, according to Acts 15:38? 3. How can we discern when to give someone a second chance? 4. What other scriptures discuss disagreements among early church leaders? 5. How should Acts 15:38 influence our decisions in ministry partnerships? 6. How can we balance grace and accountability in our Christian relationships? 7. Why did Paul refuse to take Mark in Acts 15:38? 8. How does Acts 15:38 reflect on leadership disagreements in the early Church? 9. What does Acts 15:38 teach about forgiveness and second chances? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 15? 11. What are Barnabas's key traits and life lessons? 12. In Galatians 1:11-12, Paul insists he received his gospel through a revelation from Christ; how can such a private claim be validated historically or scientifically? 13. Acts 15:36-39 - Why does the text gloss over the credibility of Mark and the conflict with Paul and Barnabas, if unity was supposedly so crucial? 14. (2 Corinthians 7:1) How can Paul's call for believers to 'cleanse themselves' align with the belief that salvation depends on divine grace rather than human effort? Discussion Questions 1. What can we learn from Paul’s decision not to take John Mark about making choices in ministry partnerships today? 2. How can we apply the principle of giving second chances in our relationships, especially when someone has previously let us down? 3. In what ways can disagreements among believers be handled in a manner that honors God and maintains unity? 4. Reflect on a time when you faced a challenge in your commitment to a task or ministry. How did you overcome it, and what did you learn? 5. How does the eventual reconciliation between Paul and John Mark encourage us to view personal growth and forgiveness in our own lives? Acts 15 Bible Study Questions 1. What are the potential dangers of imposing one's cultural practices on believers from different cultures, as seen in the dispute over circumcision? 2. How does the Jerusalem Council provide a model for resolving doctrinal disputes within the Church? 3. What can we learn from Peter's defense of the Gentile believers at the Council? 4. How does James' proposal balance the concerns of Jewish believers and the freedom of Gentile believers? 5. How does the council's letter demonstrate sensitivity and respect towards both Jewish and Gentile believers? 6. How does the response of the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia to the council's letter underscore the importance of unity in the Church? 7. What can the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas teach us about dealing with personal disputes within Christian ministry? 8. How can we apply the lessons from the Jerusalem Council to current debates within our own churches or denominations? 9. How does the council's decision reflect the work of the Holy Spirit in the early Church? 10. What strategies can we use to avoid letting personal disagreements, like the one between Paul and Barnabas, hinder our Christian mission? 11. How does Acts 15 challenge our understanding of the role of cultural practices in our faith? 12. What can we learn from the way the early Church handled disagreements and conflicts? 13. How can the council's decision influence our approach to cultural diversity within our own church communities? 14. How does the unfolding of events in this chapter demonstrate the sovereignty of God, even in times of conflict and disagreement? 15. How does the inclusivity of Gentiles in the early Church speak to issues of racial or cultural inclusion in today's Church? 16. In what ways does the decision of the Jerusalem Council demonstrate the Church's flexibility and adaptability to changing contexts? 17. How do you reconcile the directive from the Jerusalem Council with the freedom we have in Christ? 18. How can the split between Paul and Barnabas be viewed both negatively and positively? 19. What does the chapter suggest about the role of human agency and the Holy Spirit in the expansion of the Church? 20. How can we promote unity in our church communities amidst differing views and beliefs? Links Acts 15:38 NIV Acts 15:38 NLT Acts 15:38 ESV Acts 15:38 NASB Acts 15:38 KJV Acts 15:38 Commentaries Bible Hub