Intersections: Slowing Down for Meaningful Connection & Deeper CommunitySample

Paul Meets the Apostles (Road Buddies)

CONSIDER

Do you ever wrestle with feelings of loneliness? You’re not alone. It’s a common struggle today, but it doesn’t have to be! God made us to be relational beings (which is why loneliness feels so uncomfortable).

As followers of Jesus, we've become part of the body of Christ. This means we were meant to be so well-connected with each other that we move in unison to accomplish one overall mission—to take the name of Jesus to the ends of the earth (starting right where you are, in your own little part of the world).

SCRIPTURE

In Acts 9:23-31, Paul’s life intersects with the apostles.

Two words are used in this passage to describe followers of Jesus, “apostle” and “disciple.” Let’s take a moment to understand the difference between the two terms. According to GotQuestions.org, every apostle was a disciple, but not every disciple was an apostle.

In Scripture, the term apostle is used to differentiate between those tasked with a particular assignment, such as establishing the church and equipping believers from those who were followers of Jesus. The twelve disciples (minus Judas, who betrayed Jesus and was later replaced) were all considered apostles. So was Paul.

Paul had not been a follower of Jesus long when he met the apostles. To them, it must have seemed like just yesterday that he was seeking to imprison or kill them! This would explain why they had a hard time trusting him at first. Take a moment to consider Paul sitting with those apostles. Did he feel ashamed? Unqualified? How badly must he have wanted them to trust him?

Life with people can be messy. Our emotions and assumptions can hinder us from connecting deeply with others. Thankfully for Paul, he had Barnabas. Barnabas valued the mission over emotions and assumptions. He vouched for Paul, giving the rest of the men confidence that Paul was on the same mission as them, and because of it, the church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria were greatly impacted!

CONNECT with GOD

In what ways might you be allowing your emotions or assumptions about people to stop you from connecting more deeply with them? In what ways might God be calling you to be more like Barnabas?

DIG DEEPER: Read 1 Thessalonians 5:8-14. What “one another” command do you see here? What does this passage teach you about God and growing in community with others?