Peter & Barnabas -- John Mark
Who was Paul?
ACTS 7: 54- 8:1a How does this describe Paul's character?
He wanted to punish unbelievers with no mercy.
How was Paul converted?
ACTS 9:1-19 DON'T READ UNLESS NECESSARY
He was struck blind by God.
God wanted Paul in His ministry. Paul was so hardheaded God took dramatic action to convince him.
Do you think Paul would have been convinced by less dramatic action?
Who was Barnabas?
ACTS 4: 36-37 How is Barnabas' character described here?
Name means "Son of Encouragement" He had the gift of encouragement.
He was unselfish.
Who was John Mark?
COL 4:10a He was Barnabas' nephew
ACTS 12: 12 He was intimate with the early believers. Note also that Peter went to the house of Barnabas' sister when he was in trouble. What does this say about Barnabas?
MK 14:51-52 This young man is thought by scholars to be John Mark.
Up to this time the only thing that John Mark may have been noted for was running away, so afraid that he ran away naked.
Paul & Barnabas first meet
ACTS 9: 26-30 Barnabas sponsors Paul
What does this show about Barnabas' character?
He was courageous.
He was willing to take a risk to assist and help a new believer.
He was forgiving.
ACTS 11:19-24 How is Barnabas' character described here?
"He was a good man full of the holy spirit & faith…."
Barnabas sponsors Paul again.
ACTS 11:25-26
God uses Barnabas to call Paul to ministry.
Barnabas mentors Paul
Paul & John Mark meet
ACTS 11: 25-30
Trip to Jerusalem
ACTS 12:25
Take John Mark back with them
First missionary journey
ACTS 13:1-5
Where did they go? -- Cyprus
Where was Barnabas from -- Cyprus
He probably had relatives there.
They were also John Mark's relatives
ACTS 13:13 What happens here?
They leave Cyprus.
John Mark leaves the missionary team here. Why?
From the footnotes in my bible:
"Homesickness to get back to Jerusalem, an illness of Paul necessitating a change in plans and a trip to Galatia, and a change in leadership from Barnabas to Paul have been suggested as reasons for John Mark's return. Paul's dissatisfaction with his departure is noted later (ACTS 15:37-39)
The showdown
ACTS 15:36-41
Why did they come into conflict?
What was Paul's priority? The mission.
What was Barnabas' priority? Loyalty to relative. Sponsorship and mentoring of young talent.
Were both of these priorities good and worthy?
Did Paul need Barnabas sponsorship or mentoring anymore?
Paul was a hard headed do or die kind of a guy.
Barnabas was an loyal, encouraging & supporting kind of a guy.
Draw the chart - - - -> Commitment to mission vs. commitment to the personnel under your command
What did they do?
Paul & Silas go to Asia Minor
Barnabas and John Mark go to Cyprus where their relatives are.
The rest of the story
Paul mentors Timothy
ACTS 16:1-5
He did need the help of a young man on the journey and chooses Timothy rather than John Mark.
Do you think Paul would have selected and mentored Timothy if Barnabas and John Mark were along?
COL 4:10
Here we find John Mark with Paul & Paul commends him.
PHILEMON 24
Again we find John Mark with Paul.
2TIM 4:11
John Mark is asked for specifically because he is helpful to Paul in his ministry.
1COL 9:6
Barnabas is commended by Paul.
John Mark goes on to write Gospel of Mark
Summary
Do you think Barnabas made a good choice to mentor John Mark?
Did Paul, Barnabas or John Mark hold a grudge?
Who was right? Both
Who was wrong? Both and neither
God works it all, including the conflict, for good.
Was the conflict necessary?
No - Had they had more patience with each other God would have accomplished the same ends.
Was it understandable?
Yes Paul & Barnabas were good men but human and imperfect. The fault was not with the motive of either but with the lack of patience.
God chooses to use imperfect people to accomplish his mission. Why?
Where does God fit on the chart of mission vs. personnel importance?
Peter, Barnabas &John Mark
Why do good men argue?
SUNDAY SCHOOL HANDOUT
October 31, 1999
Who was Paul?
ACTS 7: 54- 8:1a How does this describe Paul's character?
How was Paul converted? (ACTS 9:1-19)
Do you think Paul would have been convinced by less dramatic action?
Who was Barnabas?
ACTS 4: 36-37 How is Barnabas' character described here?
Who was John Mark?
COL 4:10a He was Barnabas' nephew
ACTS 12: 12 He was intimate with the early believers. Note also that Peter went to the house of Barnabas' sister when he was in trouble. What does this say about Barnabas?
MK 14:51-52 This young man is thought by scholars to be John Mark.
Paul & Barnabas first meet
ACTS 9: 26-30 Barnabas sponsors Paul
What does this show about Barnabas' character?
ACTS 11:19-24 How is Barnabas' character described here?
"He was a good man full of the holy spirit & faith…."
Barnabas sponsors Paul again.
ACTS 11:25-26
God uses Barnabas to call Paul to ministry.
Barnabas mentors Paul
Paul & John Mark meet
ACTS 11: 25-30
Trip to Jerusalem
ACTS 12:25
Take John Mark back with them
First missionary journey
ACTS 13:1-5
Where did they go?
Where was Barnabas from?
ACTS 13:13 What happens here?
They leave Cyprus.
John Mark leaves the missionary team here. Why?
From the footnotes in my bible:
"Homesickness to get back to Jerusalem, an illness of Paul necessitating a change in plans and a trip to Galatia, and a change in leadership from Barnabas to Paul have been suggested as reasons for John Mark's return. Paul's dissatisfaction with his departure is noted later (ACTS 15:37-39)"
The Showdown
ACTS 15:36-41
Why did they come into conflict?
What was Paul's priority? The mission.
What was Barnabas' priority? Loyalty to relative. Sponsorship and mentoring of young talent.
Were both of these priorities good and worthy?
Look at the chart.
Did Paul need Barnabas sponsorship or mentoring anymore?
What did they do?
Paul & Silas go to Asia Minor
Barnabas and John Mark go to Cyprus where their relatives are.
The Rest of the Story
ACTS 16:1-5 Paul mentors Timothy
COL 4:10 Here we find John Mark with Paul & Paul commends him.
PHILEMON 24 Again we find John Mark with Paul.
2TIM 4:11 John Mark is asked for specifically because he is helpful to Paul in his ministry.
1COL 9:6 Barnabas is commended by Paul.
John Mark goes on to write Gospel of Mark
Summary
Do you think Barnabas made a good choice to mentor John Mark?
Did Paul, Barnabas or John Mark hold a grudge?
Who was right?
Who was wrong?
God works it all, including the conflict, for good.
Was the conflict necessary?
Was it understandable?
God chooses to use imperfect people to accomplish his mission. Why?
Where does God fit on the chart of mission vs. personnel?
Who was Paul?
ACTS 7: 54- 8:1a How does this describe Paul's character?
He wanted to punish unbelievers with no mercy.
How was Paul converted?
ACTS 9:1-19 DON'T READ UNLESS NECESSARY
He was struck blind by God.
God wanted Paul in His ministry. Paul was so hardheaded God took dramatic action to convince him.
Do you think Paul would have been convinced by less dramatic action?
Who was Barnabas?
ACTS 4: 36-37 How is Barnabas' character described here?
Name means "Son of Encouragement" He had the gift of encouragement.
He was unselfish.
Who was John Mark?
COL 4:10a He was Barnabas' nephew
ACTS 12: 12 He was intimate with the early believers. Note also that Peter went to the house of Barnabas' sister when he was in trouble. What does this say about Barnabas?
MK 14:51-52 This young man is thought by scholars to be John Mark.
Up to this time the only thing that John Mark may have been noted for was running away, so afraid that he ran away naked.
Paul & Barnabas first meet
ACTS 9: 26-30 Barnabas sponsors Paul
What does this show about Barnabas' character?
He was courageous.
He was willing to take a risk to assist and help a new believer.
He was forgiving.
ACTS 11:19-24 How is Barnabas' character described here?
"He was a good man full of the holy spirit & faith…."
Barnabas sponsors Paul again.
ACTS 11:25-26
God uses Barnabas to call Paul to ministry.
Barnabas mentors Paul
Paul & John Mark meet
ACTS 11: 25-30
Trip to Jerusalem
ACTS 12:25
Take John Mark back with them
First missionary journey
ACTS 13:1-5
Where did they go? -- Cyprus
Where was Barnabas from -- Cyprus
He probably had relatives there.
They were also John Mark's relatives
ACTS 13:13 What happens here?
They leave Cyprus.
John Mark leaves the missionary team here. Why?
From the footnotes in my bible:
"Homesickness to get back to Jerusalem, an illness of Paul necessitating a change in plans and a trip to Galatia, and a change in leadership from Barnabas to Paul have been suggested as reasons for John Mark's return. Paul's dissatisfaction with his departure is noted later (ACTS 15:37-39)
The showdown
ACTS 15:36-41
Why did they come into conflict?
What was Paul's priority? The mission.
What was Barnabas' priority? Loyalty to relative. Sponsorship and mentoring of young talent.
Were both of these priorities good and worthy?
Did Paul need Barnabas sponsorship or mentoring anymore?
Paul was a hard headed do or die kind of a guy.
Barnabas was an loyal, encouraging & supporting kind of a guy.
Draw the chart - - - -> Commitment to mission vs. commitment to the personnel under your command
What did they do?
Paul & Silas go to Asia Minor
Barnabas and John Mark go to Cyprus where their relatives are.
The rest of the story
Paul mentors Timothy
ACTS 16:1-5
He did need the help of a young man on the journey and chooses Timothy rather than John Mark.
Do you think Paul would have selected and mentored Timothy if Barnabas and John Mark were along?
COL 4:10
Here we find John Mark with Paul & Paul commends him.
PHILEMON 24
Again we find John Mark with Paul.
2TIM 4:11
John Mark is asked for specifically because he is helpful to Paul in his ministry.
1COL 9:6
Barnabas is commended by Paul.
John Mark goes on to write Gospel of Mark
Summary
Do you think Barnabas made a good choice to mentor John Mark?
Did Paul, Barnabas or John Mark hold a grudge?
Who was right? Both
Who was wrong? Both and neither
God works it all, including the conflict, for good.
Was the conflict necessary?
No - Had they had more patience with each other God would have accomplished the same ends.
Was it understandable?
Yes Paul & Barnabas were good men but human and imperfect. The fault was not with the motive of either but with the lack of patience.
God chooses to use imperfect people to accomplish his mission. Why?
Where does God fit on the chart of mission vs. personnel importance?
Peter, Barnabas &John Mark
Why do good men argue?
SUNDAY SCHOOL HANDOUT
October 31, 1999
Who was Paul?
ACTS 7: 54- 8:1a How does this describe Paul's character?
How was Paul converted? (ACTS 9:1-19)
Do you think Paul would have been convinced by less dramatic action?
Who was Barnabas?
ACTS 4: 36-37 How is Barnabas' character described here?
Who was John Mark?
COL 4:10a He was Barnabas' nephew
ACTS 12: 12 He was intimate with the early believers. Note also that Peter went to the house of Barnabas' sister when he was in trouble. What does this say about Barnabas?
MK 14:51-52 This young man is thought by scholars to be John Mark.
Paul & Barnabas first meet
ACTS 9: 26-30 Barnabas sponsors Paul
What does this show about Barnabas' character?
ACTS 11:19-24 How is Barnabas' character described here?
"He was a good man full of the holy spirit & faith…."
Barnabas sponsors Paul again.
ACTS 11:25-26
God uses Barnabas to call Paul to ministry.
Barnabas mentors Paul
Paul & John Mark meet
ACTS 11: 25-30
Trip to Jerusalem
ACTS 12:25
Take John Mark back with them
First missionary journey
ACTS 13:1-5
Where did they go?
Where was Barnabas from?
ACTS 13:13 What happens here?
They leave Cyprus.
John Mark leaves the missionary team here. Why?
From the footnotes in my bible:
"Homesickness to get back to Jerusalem, an illness of Paul necessitating a change in plans and a trip to Galatia, and a change in leadership from Barnabas to Paul have been suggested as reasons for John Mark's return. Paul's dissatisfaction with his departure is noted later (ACTS 15:37-39)"
The Showdown
ACTS 15:36-41
Why did they come into conflict?
What was Paul's priority? The mission.
What was Barnabas' priority? Loyalty to relative. Sponsorship and mentoring of young talent.
Were both of these priorities good and worthy?
Look at the chart.
Did Paul need Barnabas sponsorship or mentoring anymore?
What did they do?
Paul & Silas go to Asia Minor
Barnabas and John Mark go to Cyprus where their relatives are.
The Rest of the Story
ACTS 16:1-5 Paul mentors Timothy
COL 4:10 Here we find John Mark with Paul & Paul commends him.
PHILEMON 24 Again we find John Mark with Paul.
2TIM 4:11 John Mark is asked for specifically because he is helpful to Paul in his ministry.
1COL 9:6 Barnabas is commended by Paul.
John Mark goes on to write Gospel of Mark
Summary
Do you think Barnabas made a good choice to mentor John Mark?
Did Paul, Barnabas or John Mark hold a grudge?
Who was right?
Who was wrong?
God works it all, including the conflict, for good.
Was the conflict necessary?
Was it understandable?
God chooses to use imperfect people to accomplish his mission. Why?
Where does God fit on the chart of mission vs. personnel?