MISSION, MARK, & ME
John Mark the Assistant – Acts 13:5
What would it take to qualify for the mission team of the Antioch church? See Acts 13:1-5.
Barnabas and Saul had credentials as teachers. But what about John?
Who was he and why do you think he was he included on the team?
What lessons can we draw from this?
John Mark the Deserter – Acts 13:13
Why do you think he did this?
Put yourself in John Mark’s shoes.
Reflect on possible reasons why any of us might do just as he did, or perhaps worse, if we were in a similar situation.
John Mark the Deserter – Acts 13:13
Homesickness?
Culture shock?
Spiritual shock?
Theology shock?
Internal politics?
What lessons can we learn from Mark’s mistake?
John Mark the EVANGELIST
Paul and Barnabas later parted company over whether or not to give John Mark a second chance (Acts 15:37-40). What does this tell you about Paul?
What does this tell you about Barnabas?
Why would he ‘sacrifice’ a spiritual giant like Paul for a junior partner like Mark?
GREAT PEOPLE BUILD GREAT PEOPLE
So who was right? Paul or Barnabas?
What else does the New Testament tell us about John Mark?
What does Church history and tradition tell us about John Mark?
Who are the Barnabases in your life?
Who are the John Marks in your life?
Are you a “Son of Encouragement?”
Will you finish well?
PAUSE & PRAY
We need more sons and daughters of encouragement in the church today.
Who are the Barnabases in your life? Where are the John Marks?
Ask God to fill the Church with a spirit of encouragement.
Pray for mentors who use programs to build people, rather than using people to run programs (15:37).
Ask God to forgive us where we have slotted creative people into old structures, instead of creating new structures around gifted people and their gifts and calling, as Barnabas did.
Intercede for the “Marks” around you, young and old, who need to be given room to fail and grace in the form of another chance (15:37, 39).
Prayerfully determine to be a Barnabas to them however you can.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
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