Getting On the Same Page

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Small Group Meeting on January 17.  We'll be studying Acts 15, and getting as far as we can through.

This is a fascinating chapter.  It might be a good idea to read Galatians before we meet (it's not long).  The  reason is that it deals with the primary issue in Acts 15, but there are interesting...differences.  As you read Acts 15, look for interesting details, ask "why" a lot, and try and get a sense of what it would have been like to over hear some of these "conversations".  Ask questions about the people involved.  Imagine them in the conversations, what might have been their "body language" in the midst of them.

After you read through the chapter a few times, read through again and consider these questions:

• How does Galatians 2 differ from this event here, and what are the similarities?
• What is the claim/teaching of these from Judea?  Why teach that?  Where did they get it?
• How do Paul and Barnabas respond when they teach this?
• What does the church decide to do?
• What did they do on the trip up to Jerusalem?
• How were they received?  What did they do upon arrival?
• Who opposes them?  What does that reveal about the "source" of the original teachings?
• Why would they be so adamant about this issue?
• So how does the church in Jerusalem respond to the debate?
• What does Peter contribute?  Why is it odd that he has to do this?
• What do the people do after Peter's done?
• So after Peter, Barnabas, and Paul, who speaks?  What does it tell you about him that he speaks last?
• Read Amos 9.  So, how does James' quote work here?  Is it close?
• Why those four things to abstain from?
• One of them should have really helped Paul deal with an issue in Corinth, which one?
• What is James' reasoning about only four things to require?
• They send the letter back with Barnabas and Paul, and who else?
• Does this "Barsabbas" fellow sound familiar?  Where have we run across his name before?
• What strikes you as odd about the "letter"?  How do you think Paul felt about it?
• How does the church in Antioch respond?
• Who's idea was it to go back through and visit the churches?
• What do Barnabas and Paul disagree about?  So where is Mark?  Where did we think he was?
• Why is Paul so adamant?  Look at Luke 9:61-2, what sort of support does Paul have?  But this is in no other of the Gospels, so perhaps it is a perspective of Luke?
• Who does Paul take with him instead of Barnabas and Mark?  I thought he went back to Jerusalem, who is this guy?
• So who goes where?

The map used in the previous week might help here, but isn't necessary.  Do look up people in a Bible dictionary (Blue Letter Bible site has several if you don't have one).

See you all Thursday!