INTRODUCTION

Barnabas Encourages Christians in Antioch

BIBLE POINT

Encourage each other to believe in Jesus.

KEY VERSE

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13).

BIG PICTURE

Encourage someone this week.

Barnabas Encourages Christians in Antioch

Acts 11:19-26

You are starting to see that you can make a difference in the world around you. You do not have to be a grown-up to help someone. God can use you to encourage others and help them grow in their faith.

This week we will learn that your words and actions can make someone’s day better, give them hope, and help them trust God more. God can and will use you to make a positive difference in other people’s lives.

GROWING IN TRUTH

PLANTING THE SEED

Stephen had just been killed for his faith in Jesus. Can you imagine how afraid the other believers were? They didn’t want to suffer the same thing, so they scattered and only told people they knew about Jesus.

But there was one group of people in a town called Antioch who told everyone about Jesus, not just people in the same social group. When the church in Jerusalem heard about this, they sent Barnabas (his name actually means “encourager”) to see what was up. When he got to Antioch, he was quite impressed! He saw evidence of God’s grace in everyone! So, he encouraged them to keep up the good work.

Barnabas quickly went to Tarsus to pick up Saul so he could see what was going on in Antioch. Then, Barnabas and Saul stayed in Antioch for a whole year to teach and encourage the Christians there.

KEY VERSE

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13).

BIBLE POINT

Encourage each other to believe in Jesus.

WHAT'S YOUR TALENT

At mealtime, take turns encouraging each other. Start with the youngest person in the family, and have each person say something encouraging about that family member by finishing the sentence “What I like about [name of family member] is…” When all family members have said something encouraging, move on to the next person. Continue until everyone has had a turn being encouraged by everyone else.

READY, SET, GROW!

Choose a way you’ll be an encouragement to others this week:

• WATCH for a time when someone in your family seems discouraged this week. Then encourage them with words or actions.

• DECIDE to go out of your way to encourage at least one person every day. Write down in a journal what you did or said, and then pray for the people you encouraged.

• SEND a card to a Christian friend, telling that person you appreciate them. Encourage your friend with your words. You could even draw an encouraging picture in your letter.