“WHEN GOOD FRIENDS DISAGREE”
"Doing Life with Jesus”
Today’s Lesson - “When Good Friends Disagree”
Video Story/Resource:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc6oSENFPdA&t=48s (Bibletoons – Paul & Barnabas)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1_44DmLYIs (Greg Fritz – Why did Paul and Barnabas Have a Fight? – for adults and older children)
Paul & Barnabas Can’t Agree
Acts 15:36-41, NLT
“36 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” 37 Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. 38 But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. 39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. 40 Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care. 41 Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there.”
Engage:
• Paul and Barnabas had spent a long time in Antioch and decided that they wanted to make a change. What did they discuss doing?
• Barnabas wanted to take John Mark along, but Paul didn’t think it was a good idea. Why not?
• Barnabas and Paul disagreed and ended up splitting up their team—Barnabas went with John Mark & Paul went with Silas. How could this actually be a good thing?
• Later in life Paul was still in contact with John Mark and had actually come to appreciate his help. Can you of someone who made a mistake, but still turned out okay?
Weekly verse:
Ephesians 4:2-3, NLT – “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”
2022 Theme verses:
Colossians 2:6-7, NLT – “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
Prayer – Dear God, help us to be gracious with others when we disagree and recognize that sometimes it’s okay to have different opinions…we can still be friends!
~ Pastor Jane