BRENTWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH ACTS 15:36-41; 1 TIM. 1:12-20 MARCH 16, 2014 TEACHING PLAN PREPARATION > Spend the week reading through and studying Acts 15:36-41 as well as 1 Timothy 1:12-20. Consult the commentary provided and any additional study tools (such as a concordance or Bible dictionary) to enhance your preparation. > Determine which discussion points and questions will work best with your group. > Pray for our pastors, the upcoming group meeting, your teaching, your group members, and their receptivity to the lesson. HIGHLIGHTS BIBLICAL EMPHASIS: John Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, but at Perga John Mark gave up the journey for an undisclosed reason. This departure later caused a rift between Paul and Barnabas when they chose their companions for the second missionary journey. Barnabas persisted in his choice of John Mark, which is an example of investing in the next generation of young believers. Then in 1 Timothy 1, we see Paul taking a similar interest in the life of young Timothy. TEACHING AIM: As a result of today s study, we are challenged to 1) not give up on the next generation of believers (Acts 15:36-41), and 2) invest in the future of the church (1 Timothy 1:12-20). 1 mynext Is Not Giving Up on the Future Brentwood Baptist Church
INTRODUCTION As your group time begins, use this section to help get the conversation going. Oftentimes in the workplace we hear about and may be participants in workplace mentoring programs or partnerships. The point of mentoring is for a more seasoned employee to share technical information, institutional knowledge, and insight with a newer employee. Regardless of how formal or informal the partnership is, the goal is building up the next generation of employees and instilling in them the values and knowledge to keep the company successful in the future. Consider the following statistics on workplace mentoring: A survey of Fortune 500 companies showed 96% reporting that mentoring was an important employee development tool. 75% said it was a key factor in their own personal success. 71% of Fortune 500 companies and private companies use mentoring in their organizations. 77% of companies that have a mentoring program indicate that it improved both employee retention and job performance. A survey of college and graduate students showed that 60% said mentoring is a key factor in job selection. 15-20% of standard formal training is relevant to employee needs, because it is designed for everyone. Mentoring allows for instruction and advice to be tailored to the individual needs of the mentee. A survey reported in Fortune in January 2000 indicated that of the top 25 firms, 76% offer mentoring programs. 1 Of the jobs you have had, which one posed the biggest learning curve when you first began? 2 mynext Is Not Giving Up on the Future Brentwood Baptist Church
2 How influential was the help of another person as you tried to learn that job? 3 What would have been different about your experience if no one had taken the time to invest in you and your future with that company? If investing in future workers is so important to secular companies, how much more important do you think it should be to the church? Think about people who have shared life with you, modeling Christian living along the way. While not all invested the same level of time and energy, they all made a difference in your world, and that s why you remember them. They played an influential part in your spiritual growth, and now you are called to do the same. We are called to not give up on the next generation; we are called to invest in the future of the church. UNDERSTANDING Unpack the biblical text to discover what Scripture says or means about a particular topic. In our current study, Barnabas has proven to be an example for us in everything from church planting to discipleship and giving. Today, we look again to his example, this time to see the value of not giving up on the future of the church the next generation coming up behind us. > Have a volunteer read Acts 12:12; Acts 12:25; Acts 13:5-13. These verses introduce us to John Mark, the same Mark who would later write the Gospel of Mark. He was Barnabas s cousin (Col. 4:10), and in these verses we see that he joined Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey. 3 mynext Is Not Giving Up on the Future Brentwood Baptist Church
What do we learn about John Mark from these verses? In Acts 13:13, we read that John Mark left the missionaries and returned home to Jerusalem. Why do you think John Mark may have left them to go back to his home? From the first introduction we have to John Mark in Acts 12:12, we see that he was a man of genuine faith. He and his mother opened their home as a meeting place for the Christians in Jerusalem, even during a time of intense persecution. He was also an eager learner who jumped at the opportunity to accompany Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey. During this time, he would have had the opportunity to learn from two godly men. However, Acts 13:13 tells us that John Mark left the missionaries and returned home to Jerusalem. Luke does not tell the reason for Mark s departure, but in the next passage, we ll see that a genuine falling out occurred on the team. > Have a volunteer read Acts 15:36-41. What was the purpose of the trip Paul suggested? Why were Paul and Barnabas in disagreement? Why was Paul reluctant to give John Mark a second chance? Why is it hard to forgive those who make mistakes that hinder our ministry efforts? Paul suggested to Barnabas that they go back and visit the believers in every town where they had preached. Paul cared about them and wanted to investigate their progress in the Christian faith. Barnabas wanted to take along his cousin John Mark (Col. 4:10). However, Paul did not think it appropriate since John Mark had deserted them he had failed once and would probably fail them again. 4 mynext Is Not Giving Up on the Future Brentwood Baptist Church
What potential do you think Barnabas saw in John Mark? What risks did Barnabas take by not giving up on John Mark? What can we learn from Barnabas s example in this situation? Read Colossians 4:10 and 2 Timothy 4:11. What eventually happened to Paul s relationship with John Mark? Barnabas wanted to give John Mark a second chance. He was more willing to forgive or at least to overlook John Mark s earlier failure. At any rate, a sharp disagreement ensued between Paul and Barnabas, and they parted company. This allowed Paul to press on without fear of a second failure by John Mark. It also allowed Barnabas to continue to encourage this younger disciple. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus, presumably to visit the work Barnabas and Paul had begun there earlier (Acts 13:4-12). John Mark is believed to be the writer of the Gospel of Mark. He made good use of the second chance Barnabas gave him. Paul also later recognized and valued John Mark s usefulness (see Col. 4:10; 2 Tim. 4:11; Philem. 24). Why is it important that we invest in the future of the church by pouring into the next generation of Christians coming up behind us? 5 mynext Is Not Giving Up on the Future Brentwood Baptist Church
What are some of the key opportunities we have to do this at our church? The Bible calls spiritual leaders to invest in others. Investing in others often means taking a risk, because we do not know what results will come. However, as we involve others in church ministry and in spiritual growth, the whole church benefits. Indeed, involving others helps them grow and become mature believers. We also want to recognize others potential. People will learn from their mistakes if we give them second or even third chances. Barnabas saw potential in John Mark despite John Mark s failure. As we recognize potential in less experienced believers, who knows what kingdom impact God will work through them? In his first letter to Timothy, we see the apostle Paul also investing in the future generation of church leaders. He reminded Timothy of the patience God shows us as we grow into the missionaries of the gospel that He has created all of us to be. > Have a volunteer read 1 Timothy 1:12-20. What was Paul s life like before he came to know Christ? Despite his years of service, even being imprisoned for preaching the gospel, Paul referred to himself in the present tense as the worst of sinners. Do you agree with Paul s self-description? What was his motive in describing himself this way? 6 mynext Is Not Giving Up on the Future Brentwood Baptist Church
What trustworthy saying, or theological truth, did Paul learn from his testimony? God s transforming power shines through Paul s testimony. The idea Paul expressed was that if God can redeem me, He can redeem anybody. Paul reaffirmed the truth that Christ came into the world to save sinners, and insisted he was the worst of the lot (vv. 12-17). To paraphrase his remarks we might say, Timothy, let this be a lesson to you. Let my example give you faith and confidence. What advantage was there for Timothy in being reminded at this particular moment of Paul s conversion? Timothy clearly knew what he ought to be doing, but needed some encouragement to do it. Since Timothy was not generally a takecharge guy, he had a healthy apprehension of being in charge. He was not a natural leader. On top of that he was timid. Paul figuratively scooted him forward toward the center of the action. Don t stand out here on the edge of things, the wise and experienced apostle seemed to say. Get in there and defend the truth. Get in there and oppose false teaching with the true message of Christ. What was your life like before you knew Christ? What power does your testimony have to inspire others? How can it change others opinions of their own abilities? From Paul s instruction to Timothy, what can we conclude are some of the important truths we should be communicating to the future generations we are investing in? 7 mynext Is Not Giving Up on the Future Brentwood Baptist Church
No one is beyond the scope or power of God to save and recreate into His likeness. God is extravagant in His love and mercy. He has shown mercy to all of us, because all are sinners. We become the exhibit piece of God s mercy, love, and faithfulness to those we live with and meet along life s way. From the examples of both Barnabas and Paul, we learn that we are not to give up on the future of the church, and the primary way we do this is by sharing our lives with the next generation. APPLICATION Help your group identify how the truths from the Scripture passage apply directly to their lives. 1 Who would you consider to be the next generation coming up behind you in the church young parents, young marrieds, collegiates, students, children? What does investing in this particular generation involve? 2 Split up into smaller groups of men and women and discuss the following questions: 3 For the men: What older man has been most influential in your life? How would you describe his investment? What is one way you would like to imitate him as you invest in the next generation of men at Brentwood? 4 For the women: What older woman has been most influential in your life? What words would you use to describe her? What is one way you would like to imitate her as you invest in the next generation of women at Brentwood? 8 mynext Is Not Giving Up on the Future Brentwood Baptist Church
P R A Y As you close in prayer, thank God for the way He has designed the body of Christ to function through shared lives and personal investment. Pray that your group members would take seriously the call to invest in the future of the church and that you would be a group that holds each other accountable to live out that calling. Give your group members a few minutes to pray silently, asking God to begin to reveal to them specific ways they should be investing in the next generation at this time. 9 mynext Is Not Giving Up on the Future Brentwood Baptist Church
FOLLOW UP Midway through this week, send a follow-up email to your group with some or all of the following information: > Questions to consider as they continue to reflect on what they learned this week: Take some time this week to consider how you can invest in others. Who are the new or under-utilized believers in our church? Whom can you involve in a ministry opportunity? Do you know people who need a second chance? Has someone been a Barnabas to you by encouraging and investing in your spiritual growth and ministry potential? If so, make it a point to thank that person this week. > A note of encouragement, following up on any specific prayer requests mentioned during your group gathering. > The challenge to memorize 1 Timothy 1:15-16 10 mynext Is Not Giving Up on the Future Brentwood Baptist Church
COMMENTARY FEBRUARY 2, 2014 ACTS 15:36-41 15:36. After observing the history of the early church to the year A.D. 50, Luke begins a new section in his account. He sets it off with the words after some time, used to note a time division and transition to a new section of his work. Notice Paul does not intend a second journey for missionary evangelism, though that is precisely what God will do with this proposed trip. His initial motivation, however, was just to go back to towns where they had been to check on the believers and encourage them. 15:37-41. Barnabas hesitates not a moment in welcoming Paul s proposal and assumes they will also take Mark along. At first, it would seem, the difference is merely in discussion, Paul taking the position that he did not think it appropriate to take along this man. Luke doesn t hesitate to tell us the reason for Paul s concern Mark had deserted them. Here we have a classic confrontation: the choice between disqualifying a person who has made a major blunder or seeking to restore that person to a ministry role. Luke tells us that this difference, this obvious disagreement, became a blowup between these two dear friends. Certainly these men could have solved their problems by agreeing that one or both of them would stay in Antioch, maybe call off the whole idea as a bad plan. But God intended two missionary teams instead of one, and so Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus while Paul appointed Silas to replace Barnabas and headed north and west through Syria and into Asia Minor. 1 TIMOTHY 1:12-20 1:12. Paul offered his personal testimony as a contrast to the false teachers and leaders in the Ephesian church. Paul s words matched his life; his manner corresponded with the truth. When our character and lifestyle harmonize with our beliefs, we become a powerful example of God s truth and reality. Paul was an example to all believers, and specifically to Timothy and church leaders, of how life and doctrine must complement each other. 11 mynext Is Not Giving Up on the Future Brentwood Baptist Church
COMMENTARY FEBRUARY 2, 2014 Paul began his personal testimony by directing attention to Christ. I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me. Whatever Paul was able to point to in his life as exemplary was because of Christ Jesus. Paul had an amazing life of powerful ministry for God. His life and work brought about tremendous results for God s kingdom. Even so, Paul knew it was because of God from start to finish. He was the giver of power and strength. Paul s thankfulness continued: He considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry. Paul had demonstrated faithfulness throughout his ministry, and in God s economy this resulted in greater ministry and responsibility. God knew Paul would be faithful and so put upon him the great responsibility of taking the gospel throughout the known world. So Paul gave thanks, because he knew that who and what he was came from God. Paul did not select his role in life. God clearly and specifically called him (Acts 9:15). He was appointed by God. 1:13. Paul had not always been a missionary in Christ s service. Looking back at his life, he described himself prior to his conversion as a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. We first met Paul (then called Saul) at the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:57-58; 8:1). While an angry mob surrounded Stephen, throwing rocks at him until he was battered to death, Saul witnessed the execution with approval. Here is blasphemy, persecution, and violence from the hands of Saul. He opposed the work of God; he was contemptuous of Christ. He harassed the people of God. He was brutal, having people imprisoned and perhaps killed for their faith in Christ the Lord. Even so, he received mercy. In a dramatic encounter with the living Christ, Paul was rescued from his unbelief. He was saved from his rebellion (Acts 9). 1:14. There is no doubt in Paul s mind that his salvation was due to the grace of our Lord. Having just recounted how he lived before his encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, his rescue from sin can only be attributed to the overflowing grace of God. Paul struggled for words to express the greatness of God s grace. Not only was he saved; he was changed, receiving the abundance of faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The flood from which 12 mynext Is Not Giving Up on the Future Brentwood Baptist Church
COMMENTARY FEBRUARY 2, 2014 grace springs also brings forth faith and love. All are gifts of God; all are evidences of those who are captured by the gracious salvation of God in Christ. Perhaps Paul was drawing a contrast between himself and the false teachers with whom Timothy had to deal. People may claim to know God, but the truth of this love will be revealed by their faith and love. 1:18. This same God whom Paul praised has called Timothy into his service: in keeping with the prophecies previously made about you. Such a call, while placing obligations upon Timothy, was meant also to reassure the young man of God s greatness and grace. These prophecies, given in the past, were words given from God defining what kind of person Timothy was and would become. The calling affirmed his gifts and God s investment in him for spreading the gospel and bringing him glory. For those called to ministry today, it is equally good to remember that an entry into God s service is just that service to God. The church and its people are to be served with love, faithfulness, sound teaching, and discipline. Still, it is to God that final responsibility and devotion belong. God himself enlists and equips his servants. Paul called Timothy to remain obedient and true to God s selection of him as his minister/worker so that he may strongly engage in battle. The battle is the struggle in which all Christians engage when their efforts are focused toward honoring Christ and accepting responsibility for personal holiness. This is a militaristic term that admits to a hostile environment (Eph. 6:12). 1:19. Paul continued by describing what was personally involved in fighting the good fight, instructing Timothy to hold on to faith and a good conscience. Faith is the complete gospel, the pure doctrine and knowledge of Jesus Christ and God. In dealing with false teachers, Timothy must be certain of truth and hold on to it and not be pulled into error. Satan deals in deception, and truth is the response that defeats such arrogance. A good conscience is a life lived blameless before God and others. It is not perfection. But it is a life against which no one can bring a legitimate charge. Such a person is free of guilt before God and before the community of believers. Paul wanted Timothy to maintain what he believed and to act on it. 13 mynext Is Not Giving Up on the Future Brentwood Baptist Church
COMMENTARY FEBRUARY 2, 2014 Timothy had huge responsibilities ahead of him. Paul was handing the torch of ministry to this young son of the faith. But in many ways our responsibilities are exactly the same. We also have the faith delivered to us through the Scriptures. We also carry a conscience that scolds us when we sin and affirms us when we believe and live the faith. The command to fight the good fight to hold on to faith and a good conscience is continuous, stretching down through the centuries to all believers. With the challenge came a warning for those who reject divine instruction: some have suffered the shipwreck of their faith. Strange doctrine, wrong motives, sinful habits and a life can be lost through the abandonment of faith. 1:20. Paul put forth two examples of men who had shipwrecked their faith: Hymenaeus and Alexander. These leaders within the Ephesian church were spreading false ideas about God and Christ. Paul stated that he delivered them to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme. Obviously not everyone will repent, but the church is called to practice this loving discipline so people will awaken to their sin and turn back to their Lord. 14 mynext Is Not Giving Up on the Future Brentwood Baptist Church