StuckSample

Have you ever had a big fight with someone you love? Not a small, everyday disagreement over something simple or trivial, but a knockdown, drag-out fight that leaves your relationship rattled. A harsh disagreement with your spouse, a horrible showdown with a parent, a major conflict with a sibling, or a total divide with a close friend—the kind of fight so bad and so passionate that you weren’t sure your relationship could stay the same. It probably left you wondering, "Can we move on from this?"

Here, we see Paul and Barnabas had a similar moment in their relationship. After sharing in ministry and developing a close friendship, they found themselves in a harsh disagreement. And while we can’t know for sure, it’s likely they felt the same way we do when this happens—unsure, angry, hurt, and not clear on how to go on. For them, the immediate result was a break in the relationship. They went their separate ways and put space between each other. While that doesn’t mean we should do this every single time we experience a fight, the lesson is to remember that, in the face of disagreement, there is a way forward. Sometimes that way is with distance, boundaries, or even a break. But other times, it’s with healthy conversation, helpful advice, and the support of others who can help. In both cases, what we ultimately need is to lead with the love of Christ, both for ourselves and for others.

This week, talk with your small group about what you can learn from the way Paul and Barnabas navigated the end of this part of their friendship.