Leader Guide

Bible Activity

  • Bibles or the Superbook Bible App
  • Whiteboard and marker, or chalkboard and chalk

Give each child a Bible. You may also choose to give a Bible to pairs of children to look up the verse together. This is helpful when there are many visitors or inexperienced Bible users present.

What Would You Do? Look up verses and discuss Paul and Barnabas’s disagreement.

What did Paul and Barnabas disagree on regarding John Mark? If he should accompany them on their next journey to encourage the people they had preached the Gospel to.

In this activity, we are going to look up some Scriptures and discuss this in more detail. You will have an opportunity to consider the circumstances and express your feelings about each man’s actions and choice. There may not always be a clear right or wrong answer, so don’t hesitate to share your thoughts, and let’s all respect each other’s opinions.

1. Acts 15:36–41 (NLT):

36After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” 37Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. 38But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. 39Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. 40Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care. 41Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there.

  • In verse 36, what did Paul want to do? Visit the cities where they had preached the Gospel and see how the people were doing.
  • How can we apply this in our lives? It is helpful to follow up and keep in touch with others to see how they are doing and if they are growing in their faith. We need to make ourselves available to answer questions, encourage, and pray with them.
  • Why would Paul not travel with John Mark again? He had deserted or abandoned them on the previous journey.
  • What did Barnabas want to do? Give him a second chance and allow him to go.
  • Now, take a moment and consider their different feelings and decisions about John Mark; what do you think you would do in the same situation and why? Is one man right or wrong? Children share their feelings.
  • Can you think of another verse or story in the Bible to back up your response? Children answer.

Let’s look up some other passages that will give us some more things to consider with Paul and Barnabas’s positions regarding John Mark.

2. John 21:17 (NLT):

A third time He asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed My sheep.”

  • Does anyone know when this conversation took place between Jesus and Simon Peter? After Peter had denied Jesus three times. Later, after Jesus rose from the dead, the disciples had gone fishing, and Jesus came to them.
  • Jesus came to find His disciples after they had abandoned Him. He restored Peter and gave him a job to do in God’s Kingdom. He told him to care for His lambs and sheep, which represent Jesus’ followers. How can this be related to Paul and Barnabas’s situation with John Mark? Jesus gave Peter a second chance and didn’t reject him after he had denied and abandoned Him. He sent him out to do important work for Him again.
  • Do Jesus’ actions seem more like Paul’s attitude toward John Mark or more like Barnabas's? Please explain. Barnabas; he gave John Mark a second chance to do God’s work. He showed forgiveness and mercy.

3. Acts 9:26–28 (NLT):

26When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! 27Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus. 28So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.

Jesus miraculously appeared to Saul as he actively persecuted followers of Christ. Saul became a believer and changed his name to Paul.

  • What did Barnabas do to help Paul? The other disciples did not trust that Paul had really changed and were afraid of him. Barnabas convinced them that Paul was now a follower of Christ so the other believers and leaders would accept him.
  • How should this experience have affected Paul with regard to John Mark’s situation? Paul was given a second chance by Jesus and by the other believers and leaders in the church. You would think Paul would be willing to forgive and extend the same kindness and benefit of the doubt to John Mark. Paul/Saul actually imprisoned and persecuted believers, yet he was given a second chance.
  • What was the result of Paul getting a second chance? He preached boldly for Christ and accomplished much for God.

4. Colossians 3:13 (NLT):

Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
  • How does this verse apply to the circumstance with Paul and Barnabas? Paul didn’t seem to be able to make allowance or look past John Mark’s failure and forgive him. Barnabas was willing to forgive and move on.
  • Why is it often difficult to do what this verse tells us? It is hard to trust people and give them another chance, especially when they have offended us or let us down.
  • Do you think sometimes it is wise to forgive, yet not give certain responsibilities to someone until they prove they are trustworthy? Why or why not? Children answer.

Conclusion: Paul had strong reasons not to allow John Mark to travel on his second journey with Barnabas. The good news is that Paul and John Mark eventually were reconciled and united in doing God’s work. Before Paul died, he encouraged other churches to welcome John Mark. He also called John Mark a fellow worker and said he was helpful to his ministry (Philemon 1:24; 2 Timothy 4:11).

And here is a question for you: can you guess which book of the Bible was written by John Mark? The Gospel of Mark.

How amazing to think that even though he failed to complete one mission, he went on to write a very important book of the Bible that would tell millions of people about Jesus!

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