Who, in your life, has been a favorite person to work with? Why?
Focus 7 | Witnessing Collaboration
This witnessing isn't done, and shouldn't be done, alone. The witness must be willing to work alongside everyone who has seen what they've seen.
Let's talk about doing things on your own.
Listen to this clip when you’re ready to begin today’s Spotlight.
Listen to this clip when you’re ready to begin today’s Spotlight.
See what this Spotlight—and series— is focused on.
Tap on the words "Focus 7" in the image below to read this Spotlight's summary.
Tap on the words "Focus 7" in the image below to read this Spotlight's summary.
Read Acts 15:36-41. Summarize what happens, in the very aftermath of the restorative meeting in Jerusalem.
Use these prompts (have one volunteer for each) to pray about this.
Use these prompts (have one volunteer for each) to pray about this.
- Thanksgiving
“Lord, thank you for the gift of collaboration and the people you’ve placed in our lives.” - Confession
“Forgive us for the times we’ve let pride, fear, or hurt divide us.” - Intercession
“We pray for those we’ve disagreed with. Heal wounds. Restore trust. Use even our separations for your glory.” - Commitment
“Help us to be humble, courageous, and wise in our partnerships. Teach us to love even when we part ways.”
Paul is often seen as a bold, independent missionary, but the Book of Acts reveals a rich network of collaborators who supported, traveled with, taught alongside, and hosted him. The information below helps you explore those relationships and reflect on what they mean for Christian witness today.
Who Did Paul Work With?
Match each name to their role and location. Use Acts references to help you.
Reflection Questions
Who Did Paul Work With?
Match each name to their role and location. Use Acts references to help you.
| Barnabas | Early missionary partner | Antioch, Cyprus | Acts 9:27; 13:2–3 |
| Silas | Travel companion on 2nd journey | Philippi, Thessalonica | Acts 15:40; 16:19 |
| Timothy | Young disciple, joined Paul in Lystra | Lystra, Macedonia | Acts 16:1–3 |
| Luke | Author of Acts, travel companion | Troas, Philippi | Acts 16:10 (“we”) |
| Aquila & Priscilla | Tentmakers, teachers, hosts | Corinth, Ephesus | Acts 18:2–3, 18:26 |
| John Mark | Early companion, later reconciled | Cyprus, Jerusalem | Acts 12:25; 15:37–39 |
| Lydia | Host and supporter | Philippi | Acts 16:14–15 |
| Jason | Hosted Paul, faced persecution | Thessalonica | Acts 17:5–9 |
| Apollos | Taught by Priscilla & Aquila, preacher | Ephesus, Corinth | Acts 18:24–28 |
| Aristarchus | Travel companion, suffered with Paul | Thessalonica, Ephesus | Acts 19:29; 27:2 |
| Tychicus | Messenger and companion | Asia Minor | Acts 20:4 |
| Trophimus | Travel companion | Asia, Jerusalem | Acts 20:4; 21:29 |
| Gaius | Companion, faced riot in Ephesus | Derbe, Ephesus | Acts 19:29 |
| Sopater | Companion from Berea | Berea | Acts 20:4 |
| Secundus | Companion from Thessalonica | Thessalonica | Acts 20:4 |
Reflection Questions
- What patterns do you notice in Paul’s collaborations?
- How did hospitality play a role in Paul’s ministry?
- What do you learn about teamwork and conflict from Paul’s relationship with Barnabas and John Mark?
- Which collaborator’s story inspires you most? Why?
- How can you be a collaborator in gospel ministry today?
Feel free to submit a prayer request by filling out the below form.
(If you choose to make your request public, you'll see it display in the Current at the end of the Spotlight along with anyone else who did the same.)
(If you choose to make your request public, you'll see it display in the Current at the end of the Spotlight along with anyone else who did the same.)
Pray through your requests—together—as a group.
After submitting your requests in the above form, take some time to share with your group whatever requests the group might have for this week.
After submitting your requests in the above form, take some time to share with your group whatever requests the group might have for this week.
Read together the words of this prayer by Sam Hargreaves.
We are many,
God's great diversity,
yet we are one in Christ.
Different faces,
different races,
yet we are one in Christ.
Butchers, bakers,
website makers,
bankers, tailors,
teachers, sailors,
yet we are one in Christ.
Fathers, mothers,
sisters, brothers,
single, married,
broken, carried,
yet we are one in Christ.
The happy, the clappy,
the barely out of nappies,
the ancient, the modern,
the famous, the forgotten,
yet we are one in Christ.
Some hopeful, some hopeless,
some cope well, some cope less.
Some sure and some doubt,
some whisper, some shout,
yet we are one in Christ.
Those with abundance,
those with need,
those who are generous
or wrestle with greed,
yet we are one in Christ.
Elbows, tummies, knees and noses,
kidneys, femurs, teeth and toeses.
Some unmentionable, some protected,
some accepted, some rejected,
yet we are one in Christ.
A broken body,
torn apart,
mars God's image,
breaks God's heart.
And yet our Father knows how the end will be,
when all his kids will sing in harmony,
the bride will dazzle, her branches bloom,
so add your voice to hymn the tune
that we are one in Christ.
We are many,
God's great diversity,
yet we are one in Christ.
Different faces,
different races,
yet we are one in Christ.
Butchers, bakers,
website makers,
bankers, tailors,
teachers, sailors,
yet we are one in Christ.
Fathers, mothers,
sisters, brothers,
single, married,
broken, carried,
yet we are one in Christ.
The happy, the clappy,
the barely out of nappies,
the ancient, the modern,
the famous, the forgotten,
yet we are one in Christ.
Some hopeful, some hopeless,
some cope well, some cope less.
Some sure and some doubt,
some whisper, some shout,
yet we are one in Christ.
Those with abundance,
those with need,
those who are generous
or wrestle with greed,
yet we are one in Christ.
Elbows, tummies, knees and noses,
kidneys, femurs, teeth and toeses.
Some unmentionable, some protected,
some accepted, some rejected,
yet we are one in Christ.
A broken body,
torn apart,
mars God's image,
breaks God's heart.
And yet our Father knows how the end will be,
when all his kids will sing in harmony,
the bride will dazzle, her branches bloom,
so add your voice to hymn the tune
that we are one in Christ.
Sing this song as you close out this Spotlight.
Let's wrap things up by taking a look at what's Current at Illume.
Tap on the buttons in the frame below to see what’s currently happening at Illume—information on everything from current and upcoming online content to live events and opportunities to serve in the community can all be found here.
Tap on the buttons in the frame below to see what’s currently happening at Illume—information on everything from current and upcoming online content to live events and opportunities to serve in the community can all be found here.
Posted in Witnessing by the Book
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