SESSION 2

STICK WITH ENCOURAGEMENT

98 S E S S I O N 2© 2014 LifeWay

Q U E S T I O N #1

When have you crossed paths with a natural encourager?

#BSFLencouragement

B I B L E S T U D I E S F O R L I F E 99© 2014 LifeWay

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFESince the 1940s, Americans have been popping multivitamins in ever-increasing amounts. We’re not sure if we really need the extra vitamins and minerals, but we figure a daily dose is good for us. So, we’ll keep popping more and more multivitamins as the years go by.

We could use a daily dose of something else, too. Let’s call it the spiritual and emotional vitamin of encouragement. Human beings were created to live in relationship with others, and we all have a hunger within us for the affirmation of others. We need a healthy supply of encouragement in order to grow as God intends.

Unfortunately, too many of us face a deficiency in this area. Our lives can grow weak without encouragement. And so can our relationships.

As we’ll see in this session, Barnabas was a natural encourager. And his life challenges us to be a source of encouragement to others.

THE POINT

Encouragement strengthens relationships.

100 S E S S I O N 2© 2014 LifeWay

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Antioch (11:22)—Antioch was a major trade junction and the third largest city in the Roman Empire, behind only Rome and Alexandria. The church at Antioch became a major force in funding and supporting Paul during his missionary journeys.

Christians (11:26)—The term literally meant “little Christs.” It was originally used by Romans as a way of insulting Jesus’ followers; however, the disciples adopted the term as a badge of honor.

Acts 9:26-28; 11:21-26 (HCSB)

9:26 When he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to associate with the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple.

27 Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that He had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.

28 Saul was coming and going with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

11:21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.

22 Then the report about them was heard by the church that was at Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel as far as Antioch.

23 When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with a firm resolve of the heart,

24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And large numbers of people were added to the Lord.

25 Then he went to Tarsus to search for Saul,

26 and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.

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Acts 9:26-28My four children were shooting hoops in the driveway when they asked good ol’ dad to supply some pointers on proper form. So, obviously, I lectured them on the mechanics of a free throw. Following my two-minute speech, my daughter asked: “Could you, like, show us what you’re talking about, Dad?” When I took a shot, their confusion vanished and the game resumed. As the saying goes: some things are better caught than taught.

Barnabas is someone worth watching in the pages of Scripture. Through his example, we can learn three ways to encourage others. First, Barnabus teaches us to encourage acceptance.

Barnabas first popped up in Scripture as Joseph of Cyprus (Acts 4:36). The apostles had given him the nickname “Barnabas,” which means “Son of Encouragement.” Apparently, this man had developed a sterling reputation of building others up with loving words and generous acts. In Acts 9, God used Barnabas to bring Saul (later known as the apostle Paul) to a place of prominence. Based on his past record, Saul wasn’t the kind of person Christians wanted to be around—not unless they wanted to end up in jail, or even dead (see Acts 26:10). Even though Saul’s heart had been changed completely through a personal encounter with Jesus, the believers in Jerusalem didn’t dare trust him.

Barnabas, however, realized Saul was a changed man, so he stuck his neck out and vouched for Saul. He encouraged the apostles and believers to reconsider their skepticism and to take a risk on this guy.

Do you think Barnabas had any hint of the magnitude of Saul’s soon-to-be ministry? Barnabas was likely just doing what he had always done: helping somebody take the next step in his spiritual growth. God used this encourager to help Paul’s ministry flower into greatness.

Here’s the point: you may never know the difference you make in another’s life when you simply extend the hand of fellowship and invite him or her into your world.

What risks do you take when you endorse an outsider?

Q U E S T I O N #2

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THE POINT Encouragement strengthens relationships.

© 2014 LifeWay

YOUR STORY

All of us have benefitted from the encouragement of others. Use the following template to record a message to someone whose

encouragement and support had a major impact on your life.

Dear ,

I’m thinking of the way you

.

Because you were part of my life, I

.

So, I’d like to say

.

"Walking with a friend in

the dark is better than

walking alone in the light."

— H E L E N K E L L E R

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Acts 11:21-24The second way we can learn from Barnabas’s example is to encourage spiritual growth in others. In Acts 11, Barnabas returned to the stage. This time, he was commissioned by the apostles in Jerusalem to travel 300 miles north to Antioch. Many Jews in Antioch embraced Christianity, and the believers had begun to spread the message to Gentiles as well. As a result, Greeks in the region were coming to faith in Christ. When the apostles got wind of this astonishing harvest, they sent Barnabas to assess the situation and to report what God had done.

Examine the beautiful picture Luke, the writer of Acts, painted of Barnabas’s ministry. Because of persecution, believers had scattered, so that the kingdom of God advanced wherever they went. As soon as Barnabas saw what God was doing, “he was glad, and he encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with a firm resolve of the heart.” Barnabas surely strengthened these new saints enormously as he drove home the power of perseverance. While his words were welcomed and received with joy, the future would require resolve as challenges came upon the church. To be a Christian was to accept the road of suffering, but it was a journey they could make with joy.

Barnabas did more than pay lip service to the joy of knowing Jesus; he embodied it. His message and his conduct were in sync: “… for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.”

Perhaps you’re currently starving for a good word from a friend. Do you have someone who breathes fresh wind into your sails, who sees your potential and pushes you to grow? If not, begin praying that the Lord would bring such a person into your life.

Conversely, be that kind of person in someone else’s life. When you invest yourself in someone’s life, both of you will be blessed.

How do we intentionally grow into the role of an encourager?

Q U E S T I O N #3

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THE POINT Encouragement strengthens relationships.

© 2014 LifeWay

Acts 11:25-26The third way we can learn from Barnabas’s example is to encourage others to serve. In fact, the church of Jesus Christ should be the most encouraging place on earth. Good words encourage growth. And we should strive to use our words as a way of encouraging others to step up and serve.

We don’t know what Barnabas said to Saul. But as the church in Antioch began to blossom, Barnabas went to fetch Saul from Tarsus. He brought Saul to Antioch to serve—to do what God had gifted him to do.

At one time, Barnabas had served as a mentor to Saul, “watering” him with encouragement and watching him grow up in the faith. Now Saul had developed to the point of being Barnabas’s peer in ministry, so that the two became a formidable force for discipleship. “For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers” (v. 26). Revival was evident as Saul and Barnabas rightly leveraged life-giving words to produce spiritual fruit. Saul served because he was encouraged by Barnabas and obedient to the call of God.

Barnabas didn’t just encourage Saul’s ministry and teaching through his words. He encouraged through his actions, as well—he served alongside Saul. He lived his life as an example for others to follow.

Our own actions and examples can be great encouragements for others to step up and use the gifts and skills God has given them.

How can we actively encourage God’s larger work in our church?

Q U E S T I O N #5

Q U E S T I O N #4

How can we actively encourage others to use their spiritual gifts?

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How can you use encouragement to strengthen your relationships? Consider the following suggestions:

Say thanks. Express thanks to someone who has been an encouragement to you. Be specific regarding how their words or actions helped you.

Evaluate your day. Take a moment at the end of each day to count the number of times you encouraged someone else. Consider keeping a journal of your efforts to “be a Barnabas.”

Call to action. Identify an opportunity to serve in your church or community. Take action not only to serve yourself, but also to rally others to join the cause.

Encouragement doesn’t work every now and again—you need a daily dose in order to function well. The same is true of the people you love. Therefore, choose to be a person of encouragement.

LIVE IT OUT

Healing Love

This is my beautiful, wonderful grandson. When I look lovingly into his eyes, I see him, not the autism. He is so much more than the autism. He is a joy, a gift, a wonder.

My wish is for him to reach his full God-given potential, for him to be happy and to feel loved and accepted.

To continue reading “Healing Love” from Mature Living magazine, visit BibleStudiesforLife.com/articles.

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Healing Love

A grandmother’s story of faith, hope, and love in the midst of autism

by STEPHANIE SUMMERS

Let me tell you about my beautiful, wonderful grandson. Joseph Gage (we call him Gage) came into our world on a mild January day. There he was, my Floridian grandson, joining ranks with

my two older grandchildren who lived in Illinois. My first week with the little guy was spent

helping out while his mother recuperated and as both parents adjusted to parenting their first child. By Gage’s second week, Mommy was already telling Grandma he could come for a sleepover. That weekend began a tradition of Gage spending one night each weekend at his grand-parents’ home. My bonding with my grandson began very early and continues to grow with each passing week.

My grandson is a very entertaining little boy. At 6, he loves to play chase, watch his favorite movies, sing, and play on the baby grand piano. He loves to swim and jump on his trampoline. Gage is fascinated with his train sets, cars, and anything with moving parts.

Mature Living / july 2014 2524 Mature Living / july 2014

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THE POINT Encouragement strengthens relationships.

© 2014 LifeWay

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