Interactive Teaching/Learning Guide s2

INTERACTIVE TEACHING/LEARNING GUIDE Life Sentences (New Testament) - Week 6

Session Title: Barnabas Focal Passages: Acts 11:24 Life Sentence: “He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.”

Central Teaching/Learning Aim: In this session learners will examine the life of Barnabas, the Son of Encouragement and will identify 3 ways that they can encourage others.

I. Hook

A. Share the following excerpt from Stars and Stripes, the US military independent news source:

Kadena Special Olympics Needs More Volunteer Huggers for its 1,200 Athletes

KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa — Kadena Special Olympics needs huggers — 700 of them.

They’re the volunteers who work one on one with athletes at the Kadena games set for Nov. 8 at Risner Gym, said Capt. Mara Roedder, volunteer coordinator.

This year, they are expecting more than 1,200 athletes, mostly Japanese, said senior adviser Chip Steitz, adding that last year a little more than 900 competed.

That calls for a lot of volunteers.

"The biggest need is for huggers," Roedder said. There should be one for each athlete, and so far organizers have about 500, she said. Huggers lead athletes to and from their events and, more importantly, they provide the hugs and pats on the back at the completion of each event,

Cindy Fisher, "Kadena Speical Olympics Needs More Volunteer Huggers for its 1,200 Athletes," Stars and Stripes, 12 October 2008.

Ask – Why do you think that huggers are so important at the Special Olympics? What do those hugs provide for the competitors? Do you ever need an encouraging hug?

1 State – Today we will be talking about a Bible personality who was so adept at providing supportive, nurturing words that his friends called him the “Son of Encouragement.”

B. Optional Method – Movie Clip – Ghostbusters 2

Start: 39:09 Stop: 40:21

Synopsis: After waging war on slime that cost New York City millions, the Ghostbusters find themselves out of business – until an ancient tyrant preparing a return to an earthly domain sets his sights on Dana Barrett’s baby as a new home for his wicked soul.

In this clip the Ghostbusters have found an underground river of ghoulish goo and have discovered that it reacts violently to negative emotion but positively to supportive, nurturing encouragement.

Ghostbusters 2, Columbia Pictures, Ivan Reitman, Ernie Brillstein, Gordon Webb, Joe Medjuck, and Michael Gross, Producers, Ivan Reitman, Director, 1989.

Ask – How do you react when you are denigrated by others? How about when you receive words of encouragement?

State – Today we will be talking about a Bible personality who was so adept at providing supportive, nurturing words that his friends called him the “Son of Encouragement.”

C. Optional Method – YouTube Clip – The Weakest Link

Start: 0:39 Stop: 1:07

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7Mt-gs0KTM

Synopsis: The Weakest Link is a television game show which first appeared in the United Kingdom in 2000. In the game a team of contestants take turns answering general knowledge questions. The object of each round is to create a chain of consecutive correct answers to earn an increasing amount of money for a communal kitty, within a time limit. An incorrect answer deletes the accumulated money; however, a contestant can say "bank" prior to being asked a question and the accumulated money is stored and a new accumulation is initiated from zero.

Unbanked money is lost at the end of a round. The round ends if the team successfully banks the maximum amount for the round before the allotted time expires.

2 At the end of each round, contestants must vote one player out of the game. The votes are revealed one at a time, after which the host (Anne Robinson) customarily interrogates some or all of the contestants about their votes. The player who receives the most votes is declared the weakest link and is dismissed from the show. The dismissed player leaves the stage in what is called the “Walk of Shame” and a short interview with this contestant is shown before the next round begins.

Ask – After viewing this clip, how would you describe the comments of Anne Robinson (the host)? What discouraging words does she offer? If you could say anything to Harland (the contestant), what would you tell him?

Say – I am going to give you the names of two “Reality TV” shows and you tell me what discouraging words they offer:

1. Survivor – (“The tribe has spoken.”) 2. The Apprentice – (“You’re fired!”)

State – Every week millions of Americans watch this “in your face” kind of discouragement. Today we will be talking about a Bible personality that was so adept at providing supportive, nurturing words that his friends called him the “Son of Encouragement.”

II. Book

A. Divide your class into five groups and provide the following assignments:

Group 1 – Open Hands (Acts 4:32-37) Group 2 – Open Doors (Acts 9:26-30; 11:19-26) Group 3 – Open Ears and Eyes (Acts 13:1-3; 14:21-28) Group 4 – Open Records (Acts 15:22-35) Group 5 – Open Hearts (Acts 15:36-41)

Each group should read its assigned scripture passage and answer the questions posed in the Discussion Guide that relate to that passage. Give the groups 5 or 6 minutes to complete their assignments. Provide a few minutes for each group to give a brief report of its study.

III. Look

A. Distribute the “Encouraging Words” handout and ask class members to return to their original groups. Each group should work through their part of the handout. Debrief.

3 IV. Took

A. Say – We have just talked about several ways that we might encourage others. Choose 3 that you will put into practice this week.

Close in prayer, asking God to help us fulfill our promises to him.

B. Optional Method – Practical Encouragement

Ask your class to think of some things that might cause people to feel inadequate or discouraged. List these things on the board. Then ask the class to name some ways that they could encourage people who had experienced such things.

Say – It takes no special skills to be an encourager. All it takes is a willingness to take the time to be supportive and nurturing. Let’s think of at least three people who need our encouragement this week and commit ourselves to provide that encouragement.

Close in prayer, asking God to provide “divine appointments” for us as we seek to encourage others.

4 DISCUSSION GUIDE Teacher Copy

1. Open Hands (Acts 4:32-37) The Book of Acts describes how members of the early church shared their possessions with those in need. a. What does the name “Barnabas” mean? (Acts 4:36) [“Son of Encouragement”] b. What was Barnabas’ real name? (Acts 4:36) [Joseph] c. Was Barnabas Jewish? How do you know? (Acts 9:36) [He was a Levite.] d. What did Barnabas do? (Acts 4:37) [He sold a field and gave the money to the disciples.] e. How did Barnabas’ open-handed gift encourage those first century believers? f. What are some ways that we can follow Barnabas’ example?

2. Open Doors (Acts 9:26-30; 11:19-26) These passages describe Barnabas’ relationship with Saul when Saul was a new believer. a. To whom does the pronoun “he” refer in Acts 9:26? [Saul] b. Why were the disciples afraid of Saul? What risks did Barnabas take? [Acts 9:1 indicates that Saul had been “breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.” Barnabas risked his life to befriend Saul.] c. How do you think Saul felt about Barnabas’ actions? d. When men from Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch, with whom did they share the good news about Jesus? Why was this significant? (Acts 11:20) [They told Greeks about Jesus. This was significant because, up to this point, the gospel was shared mainly with Jews.] e. What was Barnabas’ reaction when he arrived and saw the evidence of God’s grace? (Acts 11:23) [He was glad and he encouraged the people to remain true to the Lord.] f. How did Barnabas encourage Saul again? (Acts 11:25-26) [He went to Tarsus, found Paul and brought him back to Antioch.] g. Why do you think that Barnabas’ willingness to open doors for Saul was encouraging to Saul?

5 b. While they were worshipping and fasting, what did the Holy Spirit say to these men? (Acts 13:2) [The men were to set apart Saul and Barnabas for a special work.] c. Why do you think they laid their hands on Paul and Barnabas? d. On their return trip what did Paul and Barnabas do? (Acts 14:22) [They strengthened the disciples and encouraged them to remain true to the faith.] e. When they arrived in Antioch, what did Paul and Barnabas do? (Acts 14:27) [They gathered the church and reported all that God had done in opening the door of faith to the Gentiles.] f. How do you imagine the believers in Antioch felt after hearing the report of Barnabas and Paul? g. Name the people from these passages who were encouraged by Paul and Barnabas.

4. Open Records (Acts 15:22-35) During this early part of Paul’s ministry, questions began to arise about whether Gentiles needed to be circumcised before they could become believers. Acts 15 provides and account of a meeting in Jerusalem when this question was discussed. Paul and Barnabas attended this meeting. Verses 22-35 tell of the results of the meeting and the message that these men and others took back to Antioch. a. Did the apostles and elders of the church at Jerusalem require that Gentiles be circumcised before they could become believers? What did the apostles and elders require? (Acts 15:24-29) [Gentiles were not required to be circumcised. The apostles and elders required that new believers abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.] b. How did the people of Antioch respond to the letter? (Acts 15:30) [The people in Antioch were pleased with the letter.] c. How was the letter described? (Acts 15:30) [It is described as “encouraging.”] d. How do you think the believers in Antioch felt about Paul and Barnabas’ role in bringing this encouraging news? e. What encouraging news do you need today? f. Who do you know that needs encouragement today?

5. Open Hearts (Acts 15:36-41) Paul and Barnabas plan to visit those people they met on their first missionary journey. a. What did Paul suggest to Barnabas? (Acts 15:36) [Paul suggested that they visit the brothers in the towns where they had preached earlier.] b. What did Barnabas want to do? (Acts 15:37) [He wanted to take John Mark.]

6 c. Why didn’t Paul want John Mark to come along? [Paul did not want to take him because John Mark had deserted them on their first journey.] d. How did Paul and Barnabas resolve their conflict? [Barnabas took John Mark and went to Cyprus; Paul took Silas and went through Syria and Cilicia.] e. How do you think John Mark felt during this conflict? How do you think he felt when Barnabas insisted that he be included? f. Was Barnabas wrong to insist that John Mark be a part of the mission? Why or why not? g. Do you know anyone who has made a mistake and needs encouragement? What will you do?

7 DISCUSSION GUIDE Student Copy

1. Open Hands (Acts 4:32-37) The Book of Acts describes how members of the early church shared their possessions with those in need. a. What does the name “Barnabas” mean? (Acts 4:36) b. What was Barnabas’ real name? (Acts 4:36) c. Was Barnabas Jewish? How do you know? (Acts 9:36) d. What did Barnabas do? (Acts 4:37) e. How did Barnabas’ open-handed gift encourage those first century believers? f. What are some ways that we can follow Barnabas’ example?

2. Open Doors (Acts 9:26-30; 11:19-26) These passages describe Barnabas’ relationship with Saul when Saul was a new believer. a. To whom does the pronoun “he” refer in Acts 9:26? b. Why were the disciples afraid of Saul? What risks did Barnabas take? c. How do you think Saul felt about Barnabas’ actions? d. When men from Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch, with whom did they share the good news about Jesus? Why was this significant? (Acts 11:20) e. What was Barnabas’ reaction when he arrived and saw the evidence of God’s grace? (Acts 11:23) f. How did Barnabas encourage Saul again? (Acts 11:25-26) g. Why do you think that Barnabas’ willingness to open doors for Saul was encouraging to Saul?

3. Open Ears and Eyes (Acts 13:1-3; 14:21-28) Acts 13 and 14 chronicle Paul’s first missionary journey. These verses tell of the call of Saul and Barnabas, the places they visited and the results of their preaching. Saul is first identified as “Paul” in Acts 13:9. a. Who were the leaders in the church at Antioch? (Acts 13:1) b. While they were worshipping and fasting, what did the Holy Spirit say to these men? (Acts 13:2) c. Why do you think they laid their hands on Paul and Barnabas? d. On their return trip what did Paul and Barnabas do? (Acts 14:22) e. When they arrived in Antioch, what did Paul and Barnabas do? (Acts 14:27) f. How do you imagine the believers in Antioch felt after hearing the report of Barnabas and Paul? g. Name the people from these passages who were encouraged by Paul and Barnabas.

8 4. Open Records (Acts 15:22-35) During this early part of Paul’s ministry, questions began to arise about whether Gentiles needed to be circumcised before they could become believers. Acts 15 provides and account of a meeting in Jerusalem when this question was discussed. Paul and Barnabas attended this meeting. Verses 22-35 tell of the results of the meeting and the message that these men and others took back to Antioch. a. Did the apostles and elders of the church at Jerusalem require that Gentiles be circumcised before they could become believers? What did the apostles and elders require? (Acts 15:24-29) b. How did the people of Antioch respond to the letter? (Acts 15:30) c. How was the letter described? (Acts 15:30) d. How do you think the believers in Antioch felt about Paul and Barnabas’ role in bringing this encouraging news? e. What encouraging news do you need today? f. Who do you know that needs encouragement today?

5. Open Hearts (Acts 15:36-41) Paul and Barnabas plan to visit those people they met on their first missionary journey. a. What did Paul suggest to Barnabas? (Acts 15:36) b. What did Barnabas want to do? (Acts 15:37) c. Why didn’t Paul want John Mark to come along? d. How did Paul and Barnabas resolve their conflict? e. How do you think John Mark felt during this conflict? How do you think he felt when Barnabas insisted that he be included? f. Was Barnabas wrong to insist that John Mark be a part of the mission? Why or why not? g. Do you know anyone who has made a mistake and needs encouragement? What will you do?

9 ENCOURAGING WORDS

Gather again with your original groups and consider the following.

What did Barnabas do to What can we do to encourage others? encourage…

Group 1 He ______to the needy. Those in need? Acts 4:32-37

Group 2 He ______the The lonely, friendless, Acts 9:26-30 friendless. disconnected? Acts 11:19-26 He encouraged believers to remain ______to ______. He looked for ways to ______Paul.

Group 3 He encouraged believers to New believers? Acts 13:1-3 remain ______to the ______. Those in difficult circumstances? Acts 14:21-28 He ______the believers as they celebrated what God had done.

Group 4 He, along with others, Other believers? Acts 15:22-35 encouraged and ______the brothers.

Group 5 He encouraged ______The discouraged, weak, and Acts 15:36-41 ______by standing by him those who have sinned? when Paul did not want to take him with them.

10 THEE WORD FOR THE WEEK Stephen ~ Revelation 2:10

Monday: Read Acts 6:1-7 The 12 disciples are busy with ministry and things and people are being overlooked, especially widows. Stephen was one of the seven chosen to take care of task like waiting on tables in the distribution of food.  How is Stephen described?  What does it mean to be full of faith?  What would be different in your life if you were full of faith?

Tuesday: Read Acts 6:8-15 Stephen is here described as a man full of God’s grace and power. He did miracles among the people, yet he was serving the tables.  How would you describe his humility?  Does your humility reflect that of Stephen?  Why were some people stirring up false witnesses against Stephen?

Wednesday: Read Acts 6:8-15 Verses 12-15 Stephen is being brought to the Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling council) and put on trial.  What were there claims against him?  What was false about their claims?  What did they see was different about his face?  Why was it different?

Thursday: Read Acts 7:1-53 Stephen speaks to the Sanhedrin in response to the false charges being brought against him. Look carefully at the details he provides.  What is he trying to communicate?  Is he harsh or confrontational with any of his words?  What does he call them and why?  What does he say about their fathers?  What does he say about them?

Friday: Read Acts 7:54-60 After hearing Stephen’s response the are furious and ready to execute him.  What did Stephen look up and see?  What did they do to him?  Who was there overseeing the stoning?  What were Stephen’s final prayers?  Look up and read Acts 6:8 again. Was he really a man full of God’s grace to the very end?

11 EXEGETICAL – THEOLOGICAL – PEDAGOGICAL

(Exegetical: What it meant to the growing Church back THEN) LUKE’S APPRAISAL OF BARNABAS, WHO HAD BEEN SENT BY THE JEWISH MOTHER CHURCH IN JERUSALEM TO OBSERVE THE EVANGELISTIC OUTREACH AMONG THE GREEK POPULATION IN ANTIOCH AND WHO HAD SINCE ENCOURAGED THE EVANGELISTS TO CONTINUE [FULFILLING JESUS’ COMMISSION OF ACTS 1:8] . . . WAS THAT HE WAS A GOOD MAN, FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND FAITH, (Acts 11:24). NOTE: Barnabas plays a key, though overshadowed, role in the Acts of the Apostles. He does not dominate like Peter or Paul, but he does appear at crucial times in the story of the growth of the church [from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth]. It is easy to understand why the apostles nicknamed him Bar- [son of] -nabas [encouragement], for he was always encouraging the early church to be about its business. Warren Wiersbe’s Life Sentences looks at five characteristics from the life and ministry of Barnabas that were intended by Luke to show his readers how they might also encourage the church. I. Luke’s positive model of the compassionate unity of the new community, growing along with the powerful influence of the Holy Spirit . . . was Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, nicknamed by the apostles Barnabas (son of encouragement) who sold a field he owned and brought the proceeds and placed them at the apostles’ feet, (Acts 4:32-37). A. The evidence that all the community of believers was one in heart and soul . . . was that no one said that his possessions were his own, but rather had everything in common ( koina ), (4:32). B. The result of the apostles’ great power (see 1:8) in giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus . . . was that great grace was upon all of them (cp. 2:43), (4:33). C. The reason there were no needy people among new community . . . was because those who owned land or houses sold them and, bringing the proceeds to the apostles, placed them at their feet for distribution to each according to their need, (4:34-35). D. A positive model of the compassionate unity of the new community, growing along under the powerful influence of the Holy Spirit . . . was Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, nicknamed Barnabas (Son of Encouragement) who sold a field he owned, brought the proceeds, and placed them at the apostles’ feet, (4:36-37). II. The result of Barnabas’ intervention on behalf of Saul/Paul before the apostles in Jerusalem and recruitment of Saul/Paul to preach and teach both Jews and Gentiles at the growing church in Antioch . . . was that as Paul

12 preached and taught the church continued to grow and that the growing body of believers were first called Christians at Antioch, (Acts 9:26-29a; 11:19-26). A. The result of Barnabas’ intervention, before the skeptical apostles, on behalf of Saul . . . was that Saul stayed with the apostles, moved freely about Jerusalem, boldly proclaimed the name of the Lord, and debated with the Hellenists [Greek speakers], (Acts 9:26-29a). 1. The reason the disciples in Jerusalem would not let Saul join them when he came to Jerusalem . . . was because they were afraid of him, not believing he was a disciple, (9:26). 2. The intervention of Barnabas . . . brought Saul before the apostles and narrated for them Saul’s story: his journey to Damascus, his seeing and hearing the Lord, and his fearless proclamation in Jesus’ name, (9:27). 3. The result of Barnabas’ intervention and the apostles’ acceptance of Saul . . . was that Saul stayed with the apostles, moving freely about Jerusalem, he boldly proclaimed the name of the Lord, and he debated with the Hellenists, (9:28-29a). B. The result of Barnabas’ recruitment of Saul to preach and teach both Jews and Gentiles at the growing church in Antioch . . . was that [as the church continued to grow] the believers were first called Christians at Antioch, (Acts 11:19-26). 1. The result of God’s power being with those from Cyprus and Cyrene who had come to Antioch preaching the Lord Jesus to the Gentiles as well as the Jews . . . was that a great number, believing, turned to the lord, (11:19-21). a. The recipients of the word (about Jesus), spoken by those scattered from the persecution occurring over Stephen (8:1-4) and passing through to Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch . . . were the Jews only, (11:19). b. The recipients (in addition to the Jews) of the preaching about the Lord Jesus, spoken by some men from Cyprus and Cyrene who had come to Antioch . . . were the Greeks (Gentiles) also, (11:20). c. The result of God’s power being with them (the preachers) . . . was that a great number, believing, turned to the Lord, (11:21). 2. The result of the rejoicing and encouragement of Barnabas, the representative sent from the church in Jerusalem and a good man who was full of the Holy Spirit and faith, to the preaching of the Lord Jesus and the faith of the Gentiles . . . was that a considerable crowd was added to the Lord, (11:22-24). a. The result of the church in Jerusalem hearing the account of the Gentiles being evangelized by anonymous men from Cyprus and Cyrene . . . was that they sent Barnabas to Antioch, (11:22). b. The response of Barnabas to seeing the grace of God (in bringing the Gentiles to faith) upon his arrival . . . was to rejoice and to encourage all to remain true to the Lord with all their heart, (11:23).

13 c. The reason Barnabas responded to the salvation of the Gentiles with rejoicing and encouragement . . . was because he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, (11:24a). d. The result of the rejoicing and encouragement of Barnabas to the preaching of the Lord Jesus and the faith of the Gentiles . . . was that a considerable crowd was added to the Lord, (11:24b). 3. The result of the growth of the church in Antioch during the year that Saul, brought by Barnabas from Tarsus, met with and taught a considerable crowd . . . was that Antioch was the place where the disciples were, for the first time, named (called) Christians, (11:25-26). a. The purpose for which Barnabas went to Tarsus . . . was to look for Saul (about 9 years after 9:30), (11:25). b. The result of Barnabas finding Saul and bringing him to Antioch . . . was that Saul met with the church and taught a considerable crowd for an entire year, (11:26a). c. The result of the growth of the church in Antioch . . . was that Antioch was the place where the disciples were, for the first time, named (called) Christians, (11:26b). III. The evangelistic mission of Barnabas and Saul/Paul, having been sent out by the church at Antioch according to the command of the Holy Spirit . . . opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, (Acts 13:1-14:28). NOTE: Only those pericopes that refer to Barnabas have been exegeted here. A. The sending off of Barnabas and Saul [after they had completed their mission to Jerusalem (see 11:30) and returned to Antioch with John Mark] by the gifted, worshipping, fasting, praying, commissioning church . . . fulfilled the charge of the Holy Spirit who had commanded, “Separate to me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them,” (13:1-3). B. The response of the Gentiles to Paul and Barnabas’ bold statement that having spoken the word of God first to the Jews -- who had rejected it, not considering themselves worthy of eternal life -- they would now turn to the Gentiles, as Isaiah 49:6 commanded . . . was to rejoice, to glorify the word of the Lord, and (as many as were appointed to eternal life) to believe, (13:42-48). C. The response of Paul and Barnabas to the persecution against them (incited among some God-fearing women of influence by the Jews in Antioch), even as the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the region . . . was to shake the dust off their feet in protest and to go on to Iconium, (13:49-51). D. The response of Paul and Barnabas to Paul’s stoning by the Jews of Iconium, who had been stirred up and persuaded by some Jews from Antioch, in spite of the miracle of healing and the “worshipful” response of the pagan Gentile inhabitants of the city . . . was to go forward the next day to Derbe where they evangelized and made a large number of disciples, (Acts 14:8-21a). E. The message of Paul and Barnabas once they had arrived back in Antioch, after having back-tracked through the region (Galatia) to minister to the

14 disciples and to preach the gospel, and been commended by the gathered church . . . reported what things God had done with them and how He had, “Opened the door of faith to the nations (Gentiles),” (14:21b-28). IV. The response of the [Gentile] multitude at Antioch to the reading of James’ letter from the church in Jerusalem, the result of the record/witness of Barnabas, Paul, and Peter that it was not necessary for Gentiles to be circumcised and to keep the law of Moses in order to be saved . . . was to rejoice over its exhortation and then to be encouraged and strengthened by the ministries of Judas, Silas, Paul, and Barnabas, (Acts 15:1-35). A. The content of the major dispute and debate in the church at Antioch, which was taken before the church in Jerusalem by Paul and Barnabas . . . was whether or not it was necessary to be circumcised and to keep the Law of Moses in order to be saved, (15:1-5). B. The result of the witness of Peter, Paul and Barnabas, and the prophets (that God had chosen to take from the Gentiles a people for Himself) . . . was that James decided the church should not trouble the Gentiles who were turning to God (by demanding circumcision and law giving), but that a letter should be written to the Gentiles so that they would abstain from food polluted by idols, fornication, the meat of strangled animals, and blood, (15:6-21). C. The conclusion of the apostles, the elders, and the entire church . . . was to choose Paul, Barnabas, Judas, and Silas and to send them back to Antioch with a letter explaining how the church in Jerusalem had heard about the trouble that had come to them and to affirm that they need not assume any more burden than to abstain from food polluted by idols, blood, the meat of strangled animals, and fornication, (15:22-29). D. The response of the multitude at Antioch to the reading of the letter from the church in Jerusalem . . . was to rejoice over its exhortation and then to be encouraged and strengthened by the ministries of Judas, Silas, Paul, and Barnabas, (15:30-35). V. The result of the sharp disagreement between Barnabas and Paul over John Mark, whether he should accompany them on a second mission after he had abandoned the work on the first mission . . . was that they separated from one another [after years of being on mission together] and Barnabas took John Mark with him to minister in Cyprus, (15:36-39). A. The purpose for which Paul invited Barnabas, after they had taught and preached in Antioch for some time, to go back and visit the brothers in all the cities they had preciously preached (13:1-14:28) . . . was so that they might see how they were progressing in their faith, (15:36). B. Barnabas’ desire, in regard to John Mark [his cousin and protégée] . . . was to take him with them, (15:37). C. Paul’s desire, in regard to John Mark who had abandoned the work on the first mission (Acts 13:13) . . . was not to take him with them, (15:38). D. The result of the sharp disagreement between Barnabas and Paul over John Mark . . . was that they separated from one another [after years of

15 being on mission together] and Barnabas took John Mark with him to minister in Cyprus, (15:39). NOTE: And that is the last we hear of Barnabas. It is not the last we hear of John Mark, however. Evidently, Barnabas was able to “rehabilitate” John Mark so that he was with Paul during his first imprisonment (Colossians 4:10) and was called for by Paul during his final imprisonment (2 Timothy 4:11). Ultimately Barnabas’ encouragement kept John Mark on track.

(Theological: What it means for God’s people ALWAYS) A LIFESTYLE OF ENCOURAGEMENT . . . GROWS THE CHURCH. NOTE: Luke’s use of Barnabas not only fills in significant details of the historical record of the growth of the church, but also exemplifies the influence of one who consistently encourages those who surround him/her.

(Pedagogical: What it means for us TODAY) ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY AROUND YOU. Our lesson follows the flow of Warren Wiersbe’s outline in Life Sentences, p. 279ff. I. Encourage others with open hands, (Acts 4:32-37). A. Barnabas encouraged the needy church with financial resources. B. Encourage others with the resources God has entrust to you. II. Encourage by opening doors, (Acts 9:26-29a; 11:19-26). A. Barnabas encouraged Saul/Paul by introducing him to the church. B. Encourage others by introducing them to the church. III. Encourage with open ears and eyes, (Acts 13:1-14:28). A. Barnabas encouraged others by staying on the mission despite challenges. B. Encourage others by staying on mission. IV. Encourage with records, (Acts 15:1-35). A. Barnabas encouraged others by defending the record of God’s grace to the Gentiles. B. Encourage others by defending God’s grace to all kinds of sinners. V. Encourage with an open heart, (Acts 15:36-39). A. Barnabas encouraged John Mark by including him after a failure. B. Encourage others by continuing to restore them after a failure/loss.