“BARNABAS – THE ENCOURAGER”
YEAH! CHURCH - SUNDAY, JULY 24, 2022
"Doing Life with Jesus”
Today’s Lesson - “Barnabas – The Encourager”
Video Story/Resource:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYJTgeUw3ow (Redding Christian Fellowship – Barnabas Shares)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK8MM42pi1A (Saddleback Kids – Paul & Barnabas)
Barnabas
Acts 4:32-37, NLT – Barnabas was a generous man
32 ”All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.”
Acts 9:26-27, NLT – Barnabas helps Paul be accepted
“26 When 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! 27 Then 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.”
Acts 11:23-26, NLT – Barnabas goes to Antioch and invites Paul to join him
“ 23 When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. 24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. 26 When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)”
Acts 13:1-5, NLT – Barnabas and Paul become partners
“Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. 2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.
4 So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus. 5 There, in the town of Salamis, they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God. John Mark went with them as their assistant.
Acts 15:36-39, NLT – Barnabas gives John-Mark a second chance
36 After 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.” 37 Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. 38 But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. 39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus.”
If someone gave you a nickname, what would it be? One of the early follows of Jesus was named Joseph, but he had been bee nicknamed ‘Barnabas’ which means ‘son of encouragement.’ Barnabas was a real encourager because he cared for people and took the side of the ‘underdog.’ When he saw that there were people in the church who needed financial help, he sold land and brought the money to the Apostles. When he saw that Paul was having a hard time convincing people that he had really changed, he gave him a character reference. When he saw the opportunity for ministry in Antioch, he searched for Paul so that he could be included. When Paul and he were given the special task of travelling to teach about Jesus, he took John Mark along as their apprentice. And when it was time to visit those places again, Barnabas chose to give John Mark a second chance, even though it meant leaving Paul.
What made him such a great encourager? He was always willing to give people a second chance, to include others and found ways to meet people’s needs.
Engage:
• Barnabas saw that there were poor people in the church that needed help. What did he do? Could you do that?
• When Paul (who we will learn more about in a few weeks) became a Christians, people were scared of him. How did Barnabas help him?
• Barnabas didn’t just act as a character reference for Paul. What else did he do for him? Would you be willing to invite someone to help you do an important job?
• Paul and Barnabas ended up having a really strong disagreement and went separate ways. What did they argue about? Why was Barnabas willing to support John Mark instead of accepting Paul’s decision to exclude him?
Weekly verse:
1 Thessalonians 2:4, NLT – “We speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.”
2022 Theme verses:
Colossians 2:6-7, NLT – “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
Prayer – Dear God, help us to be encouragers just like Barnabas—to be generous not only with our money, but also our time and our willingness to give someone a second chance. Help me to remember that there isn’t anyone you don’t love!
~ Pastor Jane