The Jerusalem Meeting and Doctrinal Disagreement

Teach now

Objective: Analyse the relevant text and explain the case that a major dispute was addressed through testimony, scripture, discernment, leadership, and clear communication.

Read: Acts 15:1-35

Opening: Ask: What does this passage actually say before we explain what it means?

Say:

Acts 15 records a dispute over whether Gentile believers must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses.
The meeting weighs testimony, recalls God's activity, cites Scripture, reaches a judgment, and communicates the decision to the churches.
Acts 15 models serious communal discernment but should not be treated as a simplistic constitutional blueprint for every later dispute.

Ask:

What does the text directly say?
What conclusion requires synthesis or inference?
What should we avoid overstating?
What is one faithful response?

Do: Complete The Jerusalem Meeting and Doctrinal Disagreement Claim Audit.

Close: Restate the big idea, name one faithful response, and pray.

Materials: Bible; The Jerusalem Meeting and Doctrinal Disagreement Claim Audit

Standard outline · 35 minutes

4 minConnect. Locate the lesson within Cycle 2 and activate prior knowledge.
4 minContext. Identify genre, audience, setting, and immediate context before making claims.
9 minRead and observe. Read selected portions of Acts 15:1-35 and identify direct observations. Ask: What does the passage directly say?
7 minDiscuss. Test the big idea against the evidence and identify interpretive limits. Ask: What conclusion can we support from those observations? Where could someone overstate or misapply this passage?
7 minActivity. Complete the primary evidence-based activity. Activity: The Jerusalem Meeting and Doctrinal Disagreement Claim Audit. Printable: T3-L10-P01-the-jerusalem-meeting-and-doctrinal-disagreement-claim-audit.
4 minRespond. Name one faithful response and pray. Ask: What faithful response fits the text?

Activity details

The Jerusalem Meeting and Doctrinal Disagreement Claim Audit · 10 min

Materials: The Jerusalem Meeting and Doctrinal Disagreement Claim Audit; Bible; Pens or pencils

Read or review Acts 15:1-35.
Record at least two direct observations.
State the supported meaning without adding details the text does not supply.
Name one faithful response and one interpretive limit.

Low-resource option: Draw the categories on blank paper or complete verbally.

Closing

Memory verse: Genesis 3:1-24

Prayer: Thank God for what this passage reveals and ask for wisdom to respond faithfully.

Take-home line: The Spirit's coming, apostolic proclamation, baptism, and shared life mark the church's public beginning.