Conflict & Discernment - Part 1
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Questions for Reflection
Read Acts 15:1-19
- What was the disagreement amongst early believers (vs. 1-2)? Who met to decide the issue (vs. 6)? What could have happened if there was no discussion and only one person made this important decision?
- What role did prayer and the Spirit play in Peter’s decision-making process (See also Acts 10:9-48)?
- How do Peter’s words in verses 10-11 further clarify the deeper issue of this conflict? How might Satan be attempting to use this conflict to damage the church and erode people’s understanding of the gospel?
- What do Barnabas and Paul bear witness to (vs. 12)? What role does life circumstance play in a decision-making process? What did James use to help him make a decision (vs. 13-18)? Are there other Old Testament Scriptures besides Amos 9:11-12 that might have been helpful to James?
- What deeper issue or value must be considered when dealing with the Gentiles? (vs. 19). How will the Gentiles, and the Jews, be saved (vs. 9-11)?