There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means 'son of encouragement'). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet. Acts 4:36-37
Why would Barnabas' act be an act of encouragement?
Read Acts 9:26-27 and Acts 11:22-26
What forms of encouragement are described in these verses?
Why do you think Barnabas' ministry of encouragement was so important for the early church? For Paul?
Why is the ministry of encouragement still important today for you as a believer? For the church?
Read Acts 15:36-41. This no doubt represented a very painful time in Paul & Barnabas' ministry. Yet we still see the "son of encouragement" doing his thing, taking John Mark, who had disappointed in the past, and giving him another opportunity to move into the mission field.
Does it surprise you that Paul & Barnabas parted ways over a disagreement? What are the possible negative implications of what happened? Read Acts 16. What positive comes out of their disagreement?
Leonard Sweet points out that the word encouragement comes from the French word for "heart". Encouragement means to put "heart" into someone. Sweet asks, "What can we fill our hearts with that will allow them to stretch toward God's beauty and blessings?"
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