Just Like Barnabas: Believing

Transcription

1 Just Like Barnabas: Believing Summary and Goal In the closing of Paul s last letter to Timothy, Paul listed a number of companions in the gospel ministry. For those listed, there were varied commendations and rebukes. Of particular note, John Mark was listed in the group Paul specifically commended. What had happened since that dissolution of Paul and Barnabas s partnership over John Mark s treachery? Barnabas had believed in John Mark, mentored him, and helped him mature into a faithful servant of the gospel. Main Passages 2 Timothy 4:11; Acts 18:24-28 Session Outline 1. Barnabas Believed in John Mark (2 Timothy 4:11) 2. Gifted, but Not Mature (Acts 18:24-25) 3. Discernment of the More Mature Believers (Acts 18:26) 4. Mentored for Increased Usefulness (Acts 18:27-28) Theological Theme Mature believers who mentor younger believers can develop them for gospel effectiveness. Christ Connection Jesus earthly ministry was largely focused on mentoring twelve men, three of them more closely than the rest. Demonstrating similar investment in younger believers replicates Jesus model for the spread of the gospel. Missional Application Reaching the world for Christ requires a consistently developing body of believers that understand Jesus mission and live it out passionately. The development of the body occurs best the way Jesus modeled it by the mature mentoring those younger in their faith. 1 Leader Guide

2 Historical Context of 2 Timothy Purpose In each of the Pastoral Epistles, Paul instructed one of his younger coworkers in living out his faith and teaching others to do the same. Each letter is concerned significantly with false teaching and its harmful effects in the church. In each letter, Paul wrote to affirm his representative before the church, to hold up the standard of right doctrine, and to show that right doctrine must result in proper living. The message in 2 Timothy, Paul s final letter, is much more personal, a letter from one friend to another. Paul was preparing Timothy to carry on the work of ministry after he was gone. Author As stated in the opening of each letter, these letters were written by Paul (1 Tim 1:1; 2 Tim 1:1; Titus 1:1). Date Written During Paul s final imprisonment in Rome, prior to his beheading around A.D. 68. Setting During his final imprisonment, Paul wrote 2 Timothy to request another visit from Timothy and to give final exhortations as he anticipated his martyrdom. Key Themes The gospel, Christian life, church government Key People Timothy Special Features 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus have been referred to as the Pastoral Epistles since the eighteenth century. It is reasonable to consider these letters together since they have striking similarities in style, vocabulary, and setting. These letters stand apart from the other Pauline letters in that they were the only ones written to Paul s gospel coworkers. The Pastoral Epistles deal with church structure issues and, unlike Paul s other letters, were addressed to men serving in pastoral roles rather than to churches. But we must also recognize that these are separate letters with their own distinctives. They were not written primarily to describe church structure or pastoral ministry (contrary to popular opinion), but to teach Christian living in response to the gospel. Date of My Bible Study: 2

3 7 Session Plan Just Like Barnabas: Believing Introduction Describe a time when God allowed you to see the potential in someone that few others believed. What did you do as a result? How would you recommend someone go about finding a spiritual mentor? What particular points of benefit would you emphasize? What characteristics would you encourage someone to look for? In this week s session, John Mark appeared in Paul s final letter to Timothy. The letter was more of a last will and testament than any of Paul s other letters, due to the close proximity of his death. In the letter, Paul commended John Mark s usefulness in the gospel. The dramatic change of estimation was likely a result of Barnabas s taking John Mark with him in Acts 15:39. By looking at the example of Priscilla and Aquila in relation to Apollos, this week s session showed the incredible importance of mentoring younger believers for gospel fruitfulness. For Further Discussion How has it impacted your faith to have others come alongside you to help you as you grow in Christlikeness? 1. Barnabas Believed in John Mark (2 Timothy 4:11) In 2 Timothy, Paul was near the end of his life. At the conclusion of the letter, he asked Timothy to bring John Mark along with him. The qualifier was that he needed John Mark because he is useful to me in the ministry (2 Tim. 4:11). In Acts 15, Paul refused to bring John Mark because he deserted him and the ministry effort previously. Years later, Paul s opinion of John Mark had changed because Barnabas, the son of encouragement, took him along with him to Cyprus all those years ago. When was a time another person showed belief in you, despite obvious weaknesses or areas where growth was needed? How did this impact you? 2. Gifted, but Not Mature (Acts 18:24-25) After an extremely brief visit from Paul, Ephesus was visited by another powerful teacher. Apollos was a native of Alexandria, making him one of a relatively small group of Egyptian Jews with Alexandrian citizenship. His secular education being the source of his eloquence, Apollos possessed quite the impressive public persona. In addition to having the necessary tools for public speaking, Apollos was also strong in the Lord. 3 Leader Guide

4 How would you describe the difference between knowing a lot about a topic and being personally invested in a topic? What observable differences would you expect to see? 3. Discernment of the More Mature Believers (Acts 18:26) As Apollos began his public teaching in the synagogue, a couple of more mature believers Aquila and Priscilla listened. Aquila and Priscilla had recently been stationed in Ephesus by Paul (Acts 18:19). Paul would also send Timothy to Ephesus in later days to shepherd and guide the believers. Because the Ephesian culture was so spiritually dark, given over to various expressions of the occult and black magic, the oversight of the faith community by those whom he trusted was very important to Paul. For Further Discussion Think of someone that you would describe as naturally good at something. In addition to their natural affinity, what other methods do they use to become increasingly capable in that area? Why is that important? What do you glean from this model of disciples making disciples? Why is it so important to the health of the body of Christ that believers take the initiative to help one another grow? Why was the matter of taking Apollos aside privately so important for his development? How would you have responded to the private conversation, as opposed to a public challenge? 4. Mentored for Increased Usefulness (Acts 18:27-28) After arriving in Corinth, Luke described Apollos as being of great help to the believers. Because of his considerable education, his rhetorical skill, and his Jewish heritage, Apollos was particularly helpful to the Jewish believers. His familiarity with the Old Testament helped him demonstrate how Jesus fulfilled all the Messianic prophecies in the Scriptures. Apollos strengthened the Corinthian church considerably, in part because Aquila and Priscilla had strengthened him. How do you see the investment others have made in you reaping benefits today? What specific evidence have you seen in the way you live out your faith? How do you see the investment others have made in you reaping benefits today? What specific evidence have you seen in the way you live out your faith? Conclusion What is the most meaningful comment on your spiritual growth that you ve ever received? Why was that person s commendation so important to you? How comfortable would you say you are in discussing mistakes made with others? Why do you think the ability to do so is important for growth in Christ? For Further Discussion Think of a season when you could have really benefited from a mentor. What major struggles do you think a mentor relationship would have addressed? What particular aspect of your Christian walk would have been most impacted during that season? Session 7 4

5 Expanded Session Content 7 Just Like Barnabas: Believing Introduction In their book Spiritual Mentoring: A Guide for Seeking and Giving Direction, Keith Anderson and Randy Reese espoused that the ultimate goal for spiritual mentorship is empowerment. To illustrate their point, they briefly summarized the well-documented relationship between Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan. After Keller was stricken deaf and blind at nineteen months old from disease, she was viewed as utterly hopeless by most particularly with regard to any sort of education. Anderson and Reese noted the difference in Sullivan, as she was a woman who refused to believe the popular wisdom of the day that someone like Helen could not be educated. Where most everyone else saw Helen Keller as a lost cause, Anne Sullivan saw possibility and hope. The method of her teaching was as unconventional as the task she had undertaken: Anne taught her Braille so Helen could learn to read and write. She taught Helen to speak by having Helen listen with her fingers. She would press Helen s fingers on her own larynx so Helen could hear vibrations, and she eventually helped Helen to rediscover her own voice. 1 The process was invasive and painstakingly slow. Other documentation of their relationship described Keller as extremely strong-willed and obstinate to Sullivan s instruction. Most of her teaching involved having Helen s fingers on her face, neck, and mouth. Through it all, however, Sullivan believed. She believed that Helen Keller was capable of becoming so much more than she was when they met. The dynamic difference that belief can make has unfolded on the pages of Scripture repeatedly. Millenia before Anne Sullivan undertook her lifechanging mission of belief, God used writers to record how His people mentored and helped restore others as an expression of the gospel. Being able to see what God could do in and with others fueled the mentorship efforts of men and women throughout the Scriptures. Describe a time when God allowed you to see the potential in someone that few others believed. What did you do as a result? 5 Leader Guide

6 How would you recommend someone go about finding a spiritual mentor? What particular points of benefit would you emphasize? What characteristics would you encourage someone to look for? Session Summary In this week s session, John Mark appeared in Paul s final letter to Timothy. The letter was more of a last will and testament than any of Paul s other letters, due to the close proximity of his death. In the letter, Paul commended John Mark s usefulness in the gospel. The dramatic change of estimation was likely a result of Barnabas s taking John Mark with him in Acts 15:39. By looking at the example of Priscilla and Aquila in relation to Apollos, this week s session showed the incredible importance of mentoring younger believers for gospel fruitfulness. 1. Barnabas Believed in John Mark (2 Timothy 4:11) In 2 Timothy, Paul was near the end of his life. His tone was somber. He spoke of finishing the race, as opposed to just running it. Many scholars believe that there was a note of depression in the undertones of Paul s writing, as he called for close acquaintances, familiar parchments, and cloaks. Be that as it may, Paul s purpose for his apostolic mission had not waned. Even at the conclusion of the letter, he asked Timothy to bring John Mark along with him. The qualifier was that he needed John Mark because he is useful to me in the ministry (2 Tim. 4:11). In Acts 15, Paul refused to bring John Mark because he deserted him and the ministry effort previously. Years later, Paul s opinion of John Mark had changed because Barnabas, the son of encouragement, took him along with him to Cyprus all those years ago. When was a time another person showed belief in you, despite obvious weaknesses or areas where growth was needed? How did this impact you? How has it impacted your faith to have others come alongside you to help you as you grow in Christlikeness? The example of bearing with those who were not yet mature in the faith was not only exhibited in the life of Barnabas, but also by a couple, Aquila and Priscilla, in the Book of Acts. Like Barnabas, Aquila and Priscilla showed belief in a gifted but immature believer, Apollos. This led to much fruit in the life of the early church and is an example for all followers of Christ to imitate. 2. Gifted, but Not Mature (Acts 18:24-25) After an extremely brief visit from Paul, Ephesus was visited by another powerful teacher. Apollos was a native of Alexandria, making him one of a relatively small group of Egyptian Jews with Alexandrian citizenship. One of the implications of his origin was that he was extremely well-educated, as reflected by Luke s careful Session 7 6

7 description of him. Scholar Bruce Winter noted, That he belonged to the upper social register of that famous city is indicated by Luke s selection of terms.as a learned man, he was privately educated to university level of the much-prized Greek education in rhetoric. This was open only to the elite because of the enormous fees. 2 A Powerful Teacher Where the CSB describes Apollos as competent in the use of the Scriptures, perhaps a better rendering is that Apollos was powerful in the use of the Scriptures. The word used here was a technical rhetorical term for logical, forceful delivery. Combining this with another technical rhetorical term translated speaking and teaching accurately, Luke portrayed Apollos as a formidable apologist and debater. His secular education being the source of his eloquence, Apollos possessed quite the impressive public persona. In addition to having the necessary tools for public speaking, Apollos was also strong in the Lord. Luke s description included his being instructed, which in the given educational system would have meant considerable personal teaching. Most likely, since Apollos knew only John s baptism, he was instructed about Jesus by disciples of John the Baptist. That would explain how the body of teaching he had heard reached all the way to Egypt, as well as his unfamiliarity with baptism in Jesus name. How would you describe the difference between knowing a lot about a topic and being personally invested in a topic? What observable differences would you expect to see? Think of someone that you would describe as naturally good at something. In addition to their natural affinity, what other methods do they use to become increasingly capable in that area? Why is that important? Some scholars have postulated in the past that Luke s description of Apollos as knowing only the baptism of John meant that he only knew a lot about Christianity, but did not know Christ personally. The verbiage Luke used actually painted an opposite picture. The phrase, fervent in spirit referred to his being possessed by the Spirit of God. Apollos s knowledge of Christianity was lacking in the area of baptism because of the particular strand of teaching he received in Egypt. In the first century, many different strands of teaching about Jesus splintered off of the actual events of Jesus life and the consequential teaching of the apostles. Apollos, then, though gifted, was still in need of someone to guide him more accurately in his faith development. 3. Discernment of the More Mature Believers (Acts 18:26) As Apollos began his public teaching in the synagogue, a couple of more mature believers Aquila and Priscilla listened. Aquila and Priscilla had recently been stationed in Ephesus by Paul (Acts 18:19). Paul would also send Timothy to Ephesus in later days to shepherd and guide the believers. Because the Ephesian culture was so spiritually dark, given over to various expressions of the occult and black magic, the oversight of the faith community by those whom he trusted was very important to Paul. 7 Leader Guide

8 It was no coincidence, then, that those he left in charge were those whom he directly mentored. Aquila and Priscilla had been forced out of Rome in A.D. 49 by the Edict of Claudius, which expelled all Jews from Rome due to their constant rioting about Chrestus, most likely Christ. Aquila and Priscilla fled to Corinth, where Aquila established a tentmaking business. Shortly thereafter, when Paul came to Corinth, he quickly met Aquila. Being a tentmaker as well, Paul stayed in the home of Aquila and Priscilla while in Corinth. When Paul left Corinth, Aquila and Priscilla accompanied him as new companions in the gospel ministry. Having received their education in the gospel, Aquila and Priscilla were in a position to provide the same mentorship for Apollos. Because Paul had mentored Aquila and Priscilla in the truth of the Scriptures, when the couple heard Apollos s teaching and noticed it to be deficient in some areas, they passed along the same ministry. To use a modern phrase, they were disciples who were making disciples. With grace and care, they took Apollos aside to instruct him privately, rather then discredit or embarrass him during his public teaching. What do you glean from this model of disciples making disciples? Why is it so important to the health of the body of Christ that believers take the initiative to help one another grow? Why was the matter of taking Apollos aside privately so important for his development? How would you have responded to the private conversation, as opposed to a public challenge? While it was not certain what gaps of Apollos s teaching Aquila and Priscilla helped fill in, some clues from Luke s description revealed possibilities. Winter commented, Even though Apollos taught about Jesus accurately, they filled in the gaps in his knowledge. Like any disciple of John who was not part of the apostolic band, he would presumably need to understand the theological implications of the final events in the life of Jesus including His death, resurrection, and Kingdom. 3 Since John s baptism was a baptism of repentance, the likelihood is that Apollos needed instruction on the fuller teaching regarding the present and eternal realities of life with Christ. 4. Mentored for Increased Usefulness (Acts 18:27-28) Having received the wisdom of more mature saints, Apollos continued his traveling ministry. His desire to go to Achaia took him to Corinth, Achaia s capital city. That Apollos had a desire to go was not surprising, given the tremendous distance he had already traveled for the sake of the gospel. The noteworthy detail Luke gave in regard to Apollos s journey to Corinth was the Session 7 8

9 letter of commendation that he took with him as he went. The significance of the letter of introduction and commendation was that it was penned by those in Ephesus who had benefitted from his ministry among them. By way of reminder, Aquila and Priscilla served as the link between the two churches. After arriving in Corinth, Luke described Apollos as being of great help to the believers. Because of his considerable education, his rhetorical skill, and his Jewish heritage, Apollos was particularly helpful to the Jewish believers. His familiarity with the Old Testament helped him demonstrate how Jesus fulfilled all the Messianic prophecies in the Scriptures. Apollos strengthened the Corinthian church considerably, in part because Aquila and Priscilla had strengthened him. What has been the most rewarding experience for you where you taught someone how to master a skill or trade? What particular aspect of the experience did you enjoy the most? How do you see the investment others have made in you reaping benefits today? What specific evidence have you seen in the way you live out your faith? Conclusion In a culture where positive role models are seemingly scarce, the matter of mentorship in the local church is critical. From the passages this week, we find multiple points of application. First, education and training are significant factors for growth in Christ. This point is important because jettisoning Apollos s training and education simply because it needed strengthening is short-sighted and dangerous. Apollos s gifting was enhanced by his training, becoming significant sources of benefit for the Christian congregations in Ephesus and Corinth. In that light, modern believers are wise to invest in their own continual learning about the God they worship and the theological implications therein. Second, education and training alone are not sufficient for gospel effectiveness. When Aquila and Priscilla pulled Apollos aside to strengthen him, it took tremendous personal investment on their part. They invited Apollos to stay in their home. There were lengthy conversations, gentle correction, and explanations of the aspects of Christianity that Apollos was unaware of. Mentorship occurs best in a personal relationship in which lives are shared, not just facts. That being said, mentoring others in their walk with Christ requires tremendous care, patience, and intentionality. Third, during the mentorship process, mistakes are to be expected. In fact, the mistakes that occur are often the very keys that indicate the trajectory the mentorship should take. Aquila and Priscilla knew how to invest in Apollos 9 Leader Guide

10 because they listened to him speak and, because Paul had invested in them, they were able to detect the insufficiency. Likewise, Barnabas knew how to help John Mark because the reason for Paul s rejection of John Mark was clear: he deserted them. When mistakes are made, mentoring takes place as the mistakes are addressed with corrective grace. Mentoring includes a model to be emulated and an ongoing evaluation of growth. Fourth, for mentoring to be as effective as it can be, commendation is important. As a result of Barnabas s investment in Mark, Paul publicly called for him in his final letter based on his gospel usefulness. This was the exact reason of his past failure! Paul s commendation thus proved restorative. Further, when Apollos desired to move on to another major city, he did not go empty-handed. Rather, he carried with him written proof of the commendation of those he had invested his life in (and who had invested in him) in Ephesus. Those being mentored benefit greatly from acknowledgement of their progress. Oftentimes, the progress is so incremental that the one being mentored struggles to tell any difference. It is in these moments that the objective observation of the mentor can assure that growth is happening. What is the most meaningful comment on your spiritual growth that you ve ever received? Why was that person s commendation so important to you? How comfortable would you say you are in discussing mistakes made with others? Why do you think the ability to do so is important for growth in Christ? Think of a season when you could have really benefited from a mentor. What major struggles do you think a mentor relationship would have addressed? What particular aspect of your Christian walk would have been most impacted during that season? Prayer of Response Pray and thank God for the grace of godly mentors who have pointed you toward Him. Ask that you might be used to strengthen others in the faith. Pray that our group would struggle forward together as those who seek to be more like Jesus, the only perfect role model to ever live. Additional Resources Spiritual Mentoring: A Guide for Seeking and Giving Direction by Keith R. Anderson and Randy D. Reese Spiritual Leadership by Henry and Richard Blackaby Paul and His Team by Ryan Lokkesmoe Session 7 10

11 Extended Commentary Acts 18: :24. Another Lucan meanwhile, this time with the actual word inserted. We need to know what happened in Ephesus before Paul arrived, so Luke breaks into the narrative of Paul s ministry to tell us about a new character Apollos. A native of Alexandria, he was well-educated and well-versed in the Old Testament text. He had become a Christian evangelist and zealously proclaimed everything he knew about the gospel. How he came to faith and why he came to Ephesus, Luke does not tell us. Since Luke has repeatedly emphasized God s control over all events related to his people, he probably expects readers to understand Apollos s visit to Ephesus and his encounter with Priscilla and Aquila as very much a part of the divine plan. 18:25. Apollos understood the way of the Lord, spoke with great zeal, and curiously, taught about Jesus accurately; yet he only knew about the baptism of John. Presumably, Luke wants us to understand that Apollos s knowledge of the gospel and the messianic truth about Jesus came through disciples of John the Baptist, thereby limiting his understanding to pre-pentecost Christian theology. 18:26. Like many preachers, what Apollos said was quite true. What he left out demonstrated his inadequate understanding of Christian truth. We may assume that he had no idea about the coming of the Holy Spirit, the founding of the church, and certainly the now extensive mission to the Gentiles. Who better to pick up on that deficiency than these stable and mature Christians, Priscilla and Aquila. Together they invited him home, and together they taught him the Word of God. We can only imagine the astonishment and joy with which Apollos received this new information. 18: Priscilla and Aquila would have been full of stories about the work in Corinth, the decision of Gallio, and the lengthy ministry of Paul in that city. Whatever the motivation, Apollos decided to leave Ephesus, where the ministry seemed clearly to be in capable hands. Carrying letters of recommendation (from Priscilla and Aquila?), he headed for Corinth, where he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. This skilled debater appears again in the early chapters of 1 Corinthians, showing the appreciation of the Corinthian congregation for his ministry. We are not surprised by that, for the constant conflict between Christians and Jews in that city offered a great platform for someone who could 11 Leader Guide

12 eloquently demonstrate messianic Christology from the pages of the Old Testament Scriptures. Some call Apollos the first Christian apologist, but surely that title must be reserved for Stephen. Others indicate that Apollos may very well have written Hebrews. Though the text of that book may reflect both the content and eloquence evident in this man s public ministry, we have no overt evidence of that authorship. 4 2 Timothy 4:11 4:11. Paul stated, Only Luke is with me. Luke always seemed to be there, quietly serving, Paul s faithful physician and friend. Paul then gave Timothy a wish list of sorts. First, he said, Get Mark and bring him with you. Behind this request lies a story of grace and restoration. Mark, along with Barnabas, had accompanied Paul on his early missionary travels. But at a certain point Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem. His reason for leaving is omitted, but his parting was viewed negatively by Paul. Later, Barnabas wanted Mark to travel with them again, 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 (Acts 15:38). A sharp division occurred, and Paul split company with Barnabas and Mark. In time, however, Mark must have demonstrated maturity and enduring commitment. Paul may have had occasion to work beside him again, for now Paul viewed him as helpful to me in my ministry. 5 References 1. Anderson, Keith R. and Randy D. Reese. Spiritual Mentoring: A Guide for Seeking and Giving Direction. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, Winter, Bruce. Apollos in Encyclopedia of Bible Characters. Ed. Paul D. Gardner. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, Ibid. 4. Gangel, Kenneth O., and Max Anders. Acts. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, Larson, Knute, and Max E. Anders. I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, Session 7 12