From Time to Time, Everybody Needs a Barnabas
 

From Time to Time, Everybody Needs a Barnabas

Today's Three-minute Bible Study
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Title: From Time to Time, Everybody Needs a Barnabas ------------------------ Date: 1/09/2001
Keywords:    "Barnabas" "John Mark" "useful"
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Passages: Acts 13:5, 13; 15:37-39*

5. And when they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John as their helper…

13. Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John left them and returned to Jerusalem…

37. And Barnabas was desirous of taking John, called Mark, along with them also.

38. But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.

39. And there arose such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.

Questions

1. John Mark, the nephew of Barnabas, went with Barnabas and Saul on the first missionary journey (Acts 13:5). According to verse 13, what did John Mark do somewhere in the middle of that journey?

 

2. How did Paul feel about John Mark's actions? (see Acts 15:37-39)

 

3. How do you imagine John Mark felt about the treatment he received from Paul? The treatment he received from Barnabas?

 

4. What did God do in response? (see 2 Chronicles 33:13)

 

Practical help

Many Bible students believe that John Mark's nerve failed him on that first missionary journey with Barnabas and Paul. His resolve failed him. Paul, seeing the possibility that he would fail again, didn't want to risk taking him on missionary journey #2. OK. That seems reasonable. We could even argue that Paul's perspective was prudent. And what of Barnabas' decision to break ties with Paul and travel with John Mark to Cyprus? A risky scheme? Yeah - but gracious. God bless Barnabas!

From time to time everybody needs a Barnabas. Somebody who is in our corner, leading cheers for us, believing in us, never ceasing in their supportive friendship, always hoping for the best.

Are you willing to be a Barnabas to those around you? When you offer that kind of friendship, you are offering one of the best gifts you can give.

Do you have a Barnabas? It is our prayer at eXXit that all of our readers will find themselves surrounded by a supportive network of brothers (for men) and sisters (for women) who are cheering them on in their effort to walk away from porn! If you don't have a Barnabas in your world, seek one out. You need a Barnabas on your "life-team."

If you don't have a Barnabas you can see, at least be aware that you have us at eXXit cheering you on to victory. We're on your side. With God's help, you can have victory over Internet porn. You can walk away from smut. And then, what a Barnabas you'll be to the John Mark's in your life!

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*"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."