Class Lesson July 2, 2023

 

5. Barnabas and Paul

Question 1: In what areas of life do you typically measure growth?

THE POINT

Expect mentoring relationships to change over time.

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

“My, how she has grown since I last saw her.” How many times have you said that about someone’s child? We expect babies to grow. We get excited when a child takes those first steps, speaks those first words, and even later, goes to school. It’s a natural part of life.

In one of my college classes, we took a trip to a state school for the developmentally challenged. We saw children as old as eleven years old still in diapers and still sleeping in cribs. These were children who for a variety of reasons had never grown up.

Even as we expect babies and children to grow, the same should be true for those we are mentoring. We want them to grow. As that occurs, the relationship between the one mentoring and the one being mentored will change as well. It is a natural part of the discipling relationship. With that change there may also come a time of ending the mentoring relationship and finding someone else to assist in growing spiritually.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Acts 9:26-28

26 When he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join 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 the Lord 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.

Acts 9:1-25 chronicles the conversion of Saul, who was later known as Paul. When we come to verse 26, Paul had been a believer for three years and might not be considered a new believer. For one thing, he was a Pharisee, so he possessed an incredible knowledge of Scripture. He had studied the Old Testament law under a master rabbi of his day, Gamaliel. Also, before coming to Jerusalem, Saul went to “seminary” in the deserts of Arabia. It was three years before Paul returned to Jerusalem (Gal. 1:17-18).

Question 2: When you were a new believer, what relationship was the most impactful for your growth as a Christian?

The Christians in Jerusalem viewed Paul with great suspicion. Those early believers initially shunned him when he sought fellowship with the church. They were frightened by his reputation as a leader of the persecution of the church. They found it incredulous to believe that he was now a follower of Christ. Was his newfound faith simply a pretense to continue his work of wreaking havoc with the church? Such questions created a barrier between Paul and the other Christians in Jerusalem. Thankfully, Paul had a mentor to come alongside him and help him develop his calling as an apostle of Christ.

That mentor was a disciple named Barnabas, who took the initiative to “sponsor” Paul and vouch for him before the church. This certainly was in character for Barnabas. The first reference to Barnabas is in Acts 4:36-37, where Barnabas’s generosity was highlighted. In that passage, Barnabas was identified as Joseph, whose nickname was “Barnabas,” which meant “Son of Encouragement.” This was certainly true in the role he played with Paul, who must have been discouraged by the lack of greeting he received from the Jerusalem believers.

Every new believer is vulnerable to times of discouragement as they seek to follow Christ. What begins with such joy often encounters bumps in the road. These new believers need their own “Barnabas” to come alongside them. They need someone to walk with them through those early months of their journey. As we work to be an encouragement to a new follower of Christ, we can include the following in our mentoring:

• Development of a regular quiet time with Bible reading and prayer.
• The need for daily confession of sin and surrender to the lordship of Christ.
• Meeting regularly with others in a small group Bible study.
• Steps to confronting temptation.
• Finding a place of service in the church family.
• The importance of regular corporate worship.
• Opportunities to share the gospel.

These are just a few things that will help them grow in their faith.

Acts 11:22-26

22 News about them reached the church in 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 devoted hearts, 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.

Arising out of the wave of persecution that visited the church in Jerusalem, believers were scattered throughout the region (Acts 8:1). Initially they shared Jesus only with the Jews. Soon, however, the mold of Jewish-only believers was broken. As Peter was sharing Jesus with the Gentile Cornelius (10:1-48), the church in Antioch of Syria was preaching the gospel to Gentiles without any restrictions. The Jerusalem church decided that the situation in Antioch warranted investigation, and Barnabas was sent as their representative to Antioch.

It’s apparent that the early church recognized the ability of Barnabas as an encourager and mentor of new believers. As “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith,” he would be the perfect match for this church of new believers, both Jews and Gentiles. Barnabas was a native of the island of Cyprus, and even though he was Jewish, he would easily relate to the Gentiles in the church in Antioch.

Once in Antioch, Barnabas joined himself to the new believers, and he was filled with joy to see how God was working. He quickly discerned that this was God’s work; therefore, he jumped in and got involved in what God was doing. He began teaching those in the church. At some point Barnabas realized the task was immense and he needed someone else to come alongside him to help grow these believers. He chose Paul, the one he had mentored earlier in Jerusalem. Paul would be a good fit for the work.

The last part of verse 26 is significant. It was at Antioch that the followers of Christ were first called Christians. Initially it was not a complimentary term, but one of derision, given to them by those in Antioch who were not a part of the group of believers. Over time the term became a badge of honor, taking on the understanding of one who was committed to Jesus Christ and reflected Him daily in life, even in the face of opposition.

Question 3: When have you had a meaningful experience serving with other believers?

Acts 15:36-40

36 After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the brothers and sisters in every town where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they’re doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take along John who was called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended by the brothers and sisters to the grace of the Lord.

Barnabas and Paul continued their relationship as partners in the gospel throughout the first missionary journey. But now the time had come for them to pursue separate ministries. Traveling with Barnabas and Paul on that first missionary journey was John Mark, the young cousin of Barnabas (Col. 4:10). After the group had traveled through Cyprus, they headed for the coast of modern-day Turkey. Here John Mark left his two traveling companions and returned to Jerusalem. Why he left the mission endeavor is left to speculation. What we can know is that the “desertion” greatly upset Paul. This is made plain when he and Barnabas began planning to return to the cites where they had planted churches to encourage them in their Christian walk.

Question 4: What are the benefits and challenges of Christians going their separate ways?

Paul and Barnabas weren’t in agreement whether John Mark should be allowed to go on this second missionary journey. Even in this disagreement, though, God was at work. Paul chose Silas to accompany him on a return trip to the churches in Syria and Cilicia. Barnabas, on the other hand, chose John Mark to accompany him to return to Cyprus. Sometimes in a mentoring relationship, both parties choose to take a different road. This might arise out of disagreement; other times it comes by design. Be aware of this possibility and be prepared to part amicably. Barnabas and Paul maintained a respect for one another and what God was doing through them. (See 1 Cor. 9:6.) We should do the same with those we disciple, even when God sends us in different directions.

Question 5: What can we learn from the relationship between Barnabas and Paul?

Engage

RELATIONSHIPS CHANGE

Relationships that change don’t have to end. Despite the argument in Acts 15, Paul praised Mark in 2 Timothy 4:11. Think of someone you used to be close to, and then write three words of encouragement for that person in the space below.

1.

2.

3.

Pray for that person this week. Then look for an opportunity to share this encouragement with them.

“The world changes — circumstances change, we change — but God’s Word never changes.”

WARREN WIERSBE

LIVE IT OUT

We should expect mentoring relationships to change over time. Choose one of the following applications:

Reconcile. Prayerfully evaluate your relationships to determine anyone with whom you are at odds. Ask God to open a way for you to reconcile with that person.

Consider. Take time to evaluate your relationship with the person you are mentoring or are being mentored by. What areas might become a source of friction? What steps are needed to avoid conflict? Prayerfully consider taking those steps.

Divide. Speak with the other person in your mentoring relationship about a plan to multiply your relationship, with each of you choosing someone else to mentor. In doing this, two will become four and you will double your impact for Christ!

Many Christians just never grow up, and their relationships with others don’t grow either. This hinders not only the work God wants to do in us but the work he wants to do through us. Growing in our walk with Christ and in our mentoring relationships, though, will bring good to us and glory to God. 

Teacher Notes:

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Barnabas and Paul

Acts 9:26-28; 11:22-26; 15:36-40

While the love Christians have for one another is to remain constant, how we work or interact together can change. A mentor relationship is no exception. As the people we’re discipling grow in their walk with Christ, God will often take their ministry in a different direction.

 

Acts 9:26-28

When he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple. 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 the Lord had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. Saul was coming and going with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

 

Apart from the Holy Spirit Himself, the early church perhaps knew no greater encourager than Joses (Joseph), a Levite from Cyprus. In fact, according to Acts 4:36, he was better known by his nickname, Barnabas. The verses in this session give insight into the ministry of encouragement as practiced by Barnabas. He was an encourager to a relatively new follower of Christ, Saul of Tarsus; to a new church that dared to break the boundaries in preaching the gospel and to another young man who needed someone to give him a second chance.

 

1.   Encourage a new believer. 

 

What might a new believer need to hear that would stimulate spiritual growth?

·      Development of a regular quiet time with Bible reading and prayer.

·      The need for daily confession of sin and surrender to the lordship of Christ.

·      Meeting regularly with others in a small group Bible study.

·      Steps to confronting temptation.

·      Finding a place of service in the church family.

·      The importance of regular corporate worship.

·      Opportunities to share the gospel.

 

Mature believers need to encourage new believers, help them assimilate into the fellowship and lead them to find their place of service for Christ.

 

 

Acts 11:22-26

News about them reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel as far as Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And large numbers of people were added to the Lord. Then he went to Tarsus to search for Saul, 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.

 

2.   Encourage others to step up and serve the church. 

 

Why is serving the church a natural outcome of spiritual growth?

Ministry leaders should be on the lookout for believers who can be enlisted in Christian service. Teaching ministry is vital to church growth.

 

 

Acts 15:36-40

After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the brothers and sisters in every town where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they’re doing.” Barnabas wanted to take along John who was called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended by the brothers and sisters to the grace of the Lord.

 

3.   Follow the paths God lays out for you.

 

Why do believers sometimes struggle with the concept that division often leads to multiplication?

Relationships change but everyone has a responsibility to move forward as led by the Lord. Be prepared for God to lead you down a different path from what you have known or expected.

 

Conclusion

Change is inevitable. Remember, change is at the heart of the Christian experience. We need to welcome change rather than fear it or resist it.

Life circumstances changed for Barnabas and Paul. Barnabas had been a respected leader. Now Paul took on the leadership role in their ministry together. But he did so because someone like Barnabas was willing to invest in him and was not obsessed with always being the “out-front guy.” Eventually the Lord used them both in different ways that brought glory to God.

So may you and I be as willing to reverse roles, change behavior, act with humility, and accept new paths of service as the Lord provides opportunity.