Read Acts 15:22-35

1. Do you ever write letters (not emails)? What was the most important letter you have ever received?

2. What was the letter to Gentile believers about?

3. How did the Christians in Antioch respond to the letter from Jerusalem? (15:31)

4. If Paul were to pastor your church for a while, what thorny issues might he address?

5. In an ethnically diverse church why is unity important? What might hinder unity? How do we achieve unity?

Read Acts 15:36-41

6. How do you usually handle a sharp and painful disagreement with a friend?

7. Why might Barnabas have wanted to take John Mark with him? (15:37)

8. As a result of the separation between Barnabas and Paul, how many missionary expeditions set out? (15:39-40)

9. How do you think differences in personality affected the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas? (What do we know about their personalities?)

10. When should you give up your rights, your position, or your point of view for the sake of peace with another person?

11. How can God use the strengths and weaknesses of your personality to get His work done?