Band of Brothers Becomes the Bands of Brothers: Multiplying Mission Efforts through Disagreements
Acts 15:36-41
Digging Deeper
KEY QUOTES
“(Sometimes)-God prompts leaders to split over sharp disagreements about strategy that multiplies mission efforts."
“(Sometimes)-God allows for disappointments that develop us for later duties."
“Paul wanted someone dependable. Barnabas saw someone to develop."
“Our DIVISION can be God's MULTIPLICATION."
In Acts, we see that Barnabus mentored Paul, and they were close co-laborers in the early church. But when they disagreed about taking John Mark on their next journey, Barnabas and Paul decided to part ways and pick new partners for their missionary work.
In this case, Paul had valid reasons for not wanting to take John Mark on the next journey because John Mark had abandoned them on an earlier journey. Ever the encourager, Barnabus wanted to continue investing in John Mark. But from what we learn in Acts 15:36-41, this difference could not be reconciled at this time, causing these two co-laborers in the Gospel to part ways.
Interestingly, while we learn that this disagreement occurred, the Bible does not give many details. It seems that Barnabus and Paul agreed, under the circumstances, amid their disagreement, to part ways as peacefully as possible and not to abandon or taint their mission to spread the Gospel.
God, in His sovereignty, worked through this situation, which was not ideal, so now, two teams are going out to various cities to complete His mission. Ministry is multiplied.
In his later letters, Paul seems to refer positively to Barnabus and John Mark. (1 Corinthians 9:6, Colossians 4:10, Galatians 2:1-13 and 1 Timothy 4:11) We can be encouraged that even when things are difficult, when as believers we fall short, and when Godly individuals disagree, God can use all circumstances for good and to further His mission of salvation to all people.
WHAT NOT TO MISS
Main Points:
(Sometimes) God prompts leaders to split over sharp disagreements
(Sometimes) God allows for disappointments that develop us for later duties.
Leadership and Life Lessons Between Paul, Barnabas and John Mark
Leaders can both be right, and their rightness can cause a rift in the partnership and, thus, a multiplication of ministry and mission.
Both Paul and Barnabus are right in this situation.
Paul wanted someone dependable.
Barnabas saw someone to develop.
This issue is not a matter of church unity but of a missional strategy to fulfill a missional purpose.
Three elements in life and leadership
Personalities of Leaders.
Purpose of the Mission/Project.
People you need on the Team.
Leaders need to know how they are wired. The way leaders are wired will impact the way
they lead.
Personality tests are helpful in leadership and life because they allow understanding and can raise Emotional Intelligence.
Personality tests are not exact—but enlightening.
Personality tests are not inerrant—but informative.
Personality tests are not meant to be your identity—but to identify potential strengths and potential blind spots in your life and leadership.
Purpose of the Mission or Purpose of the Project.
This has two sides: an overall job title and summary, followed by a detailed job description.
Job Summary: “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing." Possible Job Title: Missionary Discipleship Catalysts.
Paul and Barnabas agreed on the Job and the Job Summary.
Paul and Barnabus disagreed on the job description and the kind of person needed to fill the role.
Barnabas is looking at this job, and the job description and the kind of person needed to fill this role is someone who is less mature but who has shown some passion and embodies the skills, and who will need coaching.
Paul is looking at this job and the job description and the kind of person needed to fill this role is mature, passionate about strengthening churches, has the competencies and skills to do well and needs little oversight and coaching.
There is this sharp disagreement because there is NO AUTHORITY and NO AGREEMENT between them.
Paul—because of how he is wired and how he sees the mission/project/job—sees John Mark as the WRONG person for the JOB.
Barnabas—because of how he is wired and how he sees the mission/project/job— sees John Mark as the RIGHT person for the JOB.
Four things that can happen when you are trying to find the right person for your team.
Paul: You can put the wrong person on the team that isn't ready, and how you are
wired and what you are asking from them will crush them.
Paul: You can miss putting the right person on the team who isn't quite ready, and how you are wired and what you are asking from them will challenge them and cause them to grow exponentially.
Barnabas: You can put the wrong person on the team who is more than ready, and how you are wired and what you are asking from them will frustrate them because it won't be challenging enough for them.
Barnabas: You can put the right person on the team who takes advantage of how you are wired and what you are asking them to do and thereby enable them to be lazy and stagnate in their development.
When do leaders need to consider parting ways?
When there is NO AUTHORITY and NO AGREEMENT, you may need to go your separate ways.
When there is AN AUTHORITY but NO AGREEMENT, the subordinate will either need to submit humbly or graciously withdraw.
Principle:
Our DIVISION can be God's MULTIPLICATION.
Although you have a rocky start—don't give up—you can still rock it and finish well!
To the John Marks
1. Everyone has ROCKY STARTS.
2. Everyone needs ROCKS in their LIFE.
We need people who will
Believe in us when we don't believe in ourselves.
Pick us up when others have kicked us down.
Love us when we've been despised.
Speak truth over us when we are tempted to hear lies.
Believes that our best days are in front of us.
Give us a chance when others have given up on us.
Tell us what we need to hear, not what we want to hear.
Who is your rock?
3. Everyone can still ROCK IT.
Takeaways from John Mark's life
God will never leave you nor forsake you.
Failures and rejections don't define you but develop you.
Fail forward, not backward.
Latch onto people who know you and still believe in you.
LIFE APPLICATION
This week, consider relationships or friendships that might need mending. Pray that God will provide guidance and direction for even one small step that could be made toward healing and restoration. If help is needed as you work through this process, seek out a wise Christian friend to talk with or connect with a Christian counselor for assistance in working through difficult relationship situations, especially those that could be raw or painful.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What are areas that cause disagreements between friends?
What did Paul suggest to Barnabas that they do concerning the new believers in cities where they had planted churches?
Why do you think checking on the new believers was important in the early church?
Why did Paul and Barnabas have a strong disagreement?
What can we learn from the situation that Paul and Barnabas faced as we deal with difficult situations?
DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE PASSAGES
Day 1: Disagreement-Romans 16:17; Mark 3:24-25; 2 Timothy 2:23-24
Day 2: Strife-Proverbs 17:12; Proverbs 20:3; Philippians 2:14
Day 3: Agreement-1 Corinthians 1:10; Romans 15:5; Colossians 3:13-15
Day 4: Peace-Romans 14:19; 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:13
Day 5: Love-Philippians 2:2-3; 1 Corinthians 16:14; Colossians 3:14
PRAYER
Lord, I ask that you give me meaningful relationships with family, friends and coworkers. Please help me find ways to form new relationships and value and treasure those I have already built. As in all relationships, I know situations that cause disagreements and strife will arise. Let me be a peacemaker who works to bring us back together. In all things, give me wisdom, grace and mercy to be loving and kind as I relate to those close to me. Help me understand when disagreement is healthy and needed to complete the mission that God has called me to and to handle disagreements with wisdom, grace and love.
