“Barnabas: Living as a Son of Encouragement”
Key Theme: How God uses encouragement, generosity, and grace-filled relationships to build the Church.
January 14, 2026 - Barnabas: The Encourager God Raises Up
Focus: Barnabas’s character and spiritual foundation
Scripture: Acts 4:32–37
The Believers Share Their Possessions
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 resurrectionof 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.
Study Emphases
- Introduction to Barnabas (originally Joseph of Cyprus)
- Meaning of the name Barnabas – “Son of Encouragement”
- His generosity: selling land for the sake of the community
- Encouragement as a spiritual gift and calling
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think encouragement was so essential in the early church?
- What risks did Barnabas take by giving so generously?
- Who has been a “Barnabas” in your faith journey?
Spiritual Practice
- Encouragement Exercise: Write a note or send a message of encouragement to someone this week.
“Barnabas: Living as a Son of Encouragement”
Key Theme: How God uses encouragement, generosity, and grace-filled relationships to build the Church.
January 21, 2026 – Barnabas the Bridge-Builder
Focus: Barnabas sees potential where others see fear
Scripture: Acts 9:26–30
26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
Study Emphases
- Saul’s rejection by the Jerusalem believers
- Barnabas’s courage to trust God’s work in Saul
- The ministry of advocacy and bridge-building
- Encouragement that creates space for growth
Discussion Questions
- Why were the disciples afraid of Saul?
- What did Barnabas risk by standing with him?
- How can the church become a safer place for new or misunderstood believers?
Spiritual Practice
- Bridge-Building Prayer: Pray for someone you struggle to trust or understand.
“Barnabas: Living as a Son of Encouragement”
Key Theme: How God uses encouragement, generosity, and grace-filled relationships to build the Church.
January 28, 2026 - Barnabas the Mentor and Team Player
Focus: Barnabas nurtures others and shares leadership
Scripture: Acts 11:19–26; 13:1–3
The Church in Antioch
19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabasto Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done,he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The discipleswere called Christians first at Antioch.
13 1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers:Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
Study Emphases
- Barnabas sent to Antioch—a diverse, growing church
- He seeks out Saul and brings him into ministry
- Barnabas as a mentor, not a spotlight-seeker
- The Holy Spirit sending the church together
Discussion Questions
- What does Barnabas notice in Antioch that others might miss?
- Why is it significant that he brings Saul into shared leadership?
- How do mentoring and teamwork strengthen the church today?
Spiritual Practice
- Mentoring Reflection: Who is God calling you to encourage, mentor, or walk alongside?
“Barnabas: Living as a Son of Encouragement”
Key Theme: How God uses encouragement, generosity, and grace-filled relationships to build the Church.
February 4, 2026 - Barnabas and the Grace of Second Chances
Focus: Encouragement that restores rather than rejects
Scripture: Acts 15:36–41; Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11
Acts 15:36-41
Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas
36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Colossians 4:10
10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark,the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)
2 Timothy 4:11
11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
Teaching Emphases
- Conflict between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark
- Barnabas choosing restoration over efficiency
- Later reconciliation—Mark becomes useful in ministry
- Encouragement that believes God is not finished yet
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think Barnabas stood by Mark?
- What does this story teach us about disagreement among faithful Christians?
- How does God use second chances in our lives?
Spiritual Practice
- Grace Practice: Reflect on a time you were given—or needed—a second chance.
