In the story we looked at this week, Barnabas, one of the leaders in the Jerusalem church encouraged the Christians there to welcome Saul, later called Paul, into the church. It was a generous gesture and one that paved the way for Paul to take the message of Jesus to the rest of the ancient world.  

But this isn’t the only time Barnabas supported a young leader. Sometime later, Barnabas and Paul went on a trip to start churches in some of the closer cities in the ancient world (Acts 13:3). They took with them a man named John, also called Mark. But apparently, things didn’t go well. Here’s what Luke tells us happened next:

Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “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.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and… went through Syria and Cilicia. (Acts 15:36-41)

Given what we know happened – John Mark’s desertion – what legitimate arguments could have been made to support each man’s opinion? Which of the two do you think you would have sided with? Why?

I’ve heard this story described as an argument between an idealist and a realist. Which way to you tend to lean? What are the strengths and weaknesses of both approaches?

In the end, the two “agreed to disagree” and went their separate ways. What potential good can you see coming from this outcome?

There is one more reference to John Mark in the New Testament. It comes perhaps ten years later when Paul writes this to his young friend Timothy: Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. (2 Timothy 4:9-11)

Assuming the Mark referred to here is the same Mark Luke wrote about in Acts 15, some consider this Paul’s way of admitting he was wrong in that earlier dispute. How might it be possible that both men were right in one way and wrong in another? What are ways to disagree with another Christian without falling out with them?

Is there something you need to do to resolve a disagreement you’ve had with an old friend? Is there someone in your life, that you’ve written off, that you need to give a second chance to? In what way can you be an encouragement to a young developing leader in your life?