October 10, 2021

Ridgeline Study Prompts

 Acts 15:36-41

Prayer and Preparation

In James 1:22-25 it says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” Spend a moment in prayer, asking the Lord to help you be a “doer” of what you study and learn. May the Lord bless your study, as well as your desire to put your theology into action.

Study

How is Paul’s personality displayed in his response about Mark? How is Barnabas’ personality reflected in his desire to take Mark on the next journey?

Paul and Barnabas’ conflict concerning Mark was real and intense in the moment. But what do Colossians 4:10, 2 Timothy 4:11 and Philemon 24 show us about how things turned out with them?

Paul and Barnabas were great early Church leaders, but they weren’t perfect. This story of their relational struggle should encourage us and remind us that messy relationships are a part of being flawed humans. We also see that God used the mess for His glory. How does God use this conflict for good?

Application

Can you think of an instance that was messy and hard, but you saw God redeem the situation for our good and His glory? Is there someone that might be blessed by you sharing your answer with them? Can you testify to God orchestrating good things from the difficult situations?