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:

Continue to give and seek encouragement in your faith.

Barnabas Encourages Christians in Antioch

Acts 11:19-26

Middle school is a time when you’re figuring out who you are. You might be making your own choices about clothes, music, or what you care about, and sometimes that means pulling away a little from your parents. At the same time, it’s super easy to start doing what your friends do just to fit in, even if you’re not sure it’s really you. This week, you’ll dive into what it means to have your own faith, not just your parents’ or your friends’. And you’ll see how having Christian friends and adults who support you can make a huge difference as you grow into the person God created you to be.

TRY THIS

Identify a Christian person or family who needs encouragement, such as someone who has recently experienced a loss, a teenage friend without Christian parents, or your pastor. Create an encouragement care package for that person; brainstorm cool ideas such as baking cookies, making an encouragement card filled with Scripture passages, sending fun magazines and stickers, or even adding in a gift certificate. Spend time praying together for the package recipient, and then anonymously deliver it or drop it in the mail.

DAILY CHALLENGES

Roll your cubes from today’s lesson, and write your first Daily Challenge assignment in the APP NOTES:

Reminder of Cube Instructions:

Have students draw and then cut out two cross shapes that they’ll be able to cut out and fold into cubes. One cube will be an “Action” cube and the other will be a “Person” cube. On the Action cube, have students write six different encouraging actions they could do for someone this week. Examples might include writing a letter, helping someone, spending time with someone, texting someone, and so on.

On the Person cube, have students write six different categories of people they’ll interact with, such as friend, neighbor, classmate, or family member. Then have kids assemble their cubes and tape the edges together.