CHOOSING JOY

OUTLINE

• Truth 1: It’s often when things look most promising that God starts pruning our hearts (v. 15:36)
• Truth 2: God uses our failures to demonstrate His glory (Mark’s desertion) (v. 15:37-38)
• Truth 3: Conflict is an opportunity: to refocus our hearts, to redeem broken relationships, and to react with grace. (Paul & Barnabas’s conflict) (v. 15:39-40)
• Truth 4: God’s way often leads through the Sea (churches were strengthened, God led the Israelites through the Sea when it seemed impossible) (v. 15:41)

QUESTIONS

1. What impacted you from Pastor Allyn’s message?
2. What do you think was at the center of Paul & Barnabas’ conflict? Why do you think the conflict grew into a such a sharp disagreement? Pastor Allyn spoke about God pruning our hearts during “promising times”. How have you experienced God pruning your heart recently?
3. What is your default mode for dealing with conflict? Why? Pastor Allyn shared that God uses our failures to demonstrate His glory. How has God used failure in your life to draw others to Himself? What do you describe as a failure in that situation?
4. How can you use conflict as an opportunity to live out the gospel? Pastor Allyn shared that “Conflict is an opportunity.” How has God used conflict in your life to expose the need for repentance and change? How does conflict help you walk closer with Jesus?
5. Pastor Allyn shared “God’s way often leads us through the sea.” How have you had to trust God in a recent situation that had no other option but faith? If so, what did you learn about God in this situation, what did you learn about yourself, and what did you learn about how Jesus wants to grow you in your faith?

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

ACTS 15:36-41

36After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. 38But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.