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Explore the life of Barnabas from Acts through open-handed generosity, door-opening actions, and inspiring examples for believers. Dive into the impactful encounters of Barnabas with Saul, his partnership with Paul, and his role in spreading the Gospel. Gain insights on how to emulate Barnabas' qualities in your own faith journey.
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Barnabas Acts 11:24 “He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.”
Group 1 – Open Hands (Acts 4:32-37) Group 2 – Open Doors (Acts 9:26-30; 11:19-26) Group 3 – Open Ears and Eyes (Acts 13:1-3; 14:21-28) Group 4 – Open Records (Acts 15:22-35) Group 5 – Open Hearts (Acts 15:36-41)
DISCUSSION GUIDE • Open Hands (Acts 4:32-37) The Book of Acts describes how members of the early church shared their possessions with those in need. • a. What does the name “Barnabas” mean? (Acts 4:36) • [“Son of Encouragement”] • b. What was Barnabas’ real name? (Acts 4:36) • [Joseph] • c. Was Barnabas Jewish? How do you know? (Acts 9:36) • [He was a Levite.]
DISCUSSION GUIDE • Open Hands (Acts 4:32-37) The Book of Acts describes how members of the early church shared their possessions with those in need. • d. What did Barnabas do? (Acts 4:37) • [He sold a field and gave the money to the disciples.] • e. How did Barnabas’ open-handed gift encourage those first century believers? • f. What are some ways that we can follow Barnabas’ example?
DISCUSSION GUIDE • Open Doors (Acts 9:26-30; 11:19-26) These passages describe Barnabas’ relationship with Saul when Saul was a new believer. • a. To whom does the pronoun “he” refer in Acts 9:26? • [Saul] • b. Why were the disciples afraid of Saul? What risks did Barnabas take? • [Acts 9:1 indicates that Saul had been “breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.” Barnabas risked his life to befriend Saul.] • c. How do you think Saul felt about Barnabas’ actions?
DISCUSSION GUIDE • Open Doors (Acts 9:26-30; 11:19-26) These passages describe Barnabas’ relationship with Saul when Saul was a new believer. • d. When men from Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch, with whom did they share the good news about Jesus? Why was this significant? (Acts 11:20) • [They told Greeks about Jesus. This was significant because, up to this point, the gospel was shared mainly with Jews.] • e. What was Barnabas’ reaction when he arrived and saw the evidence of God’s grace? (Acts 11:23) • [He was glad and he encouraged the people to remain true to the Lord.]
DISCUSSION GUIDE • Open Doors (Acts 9:26-30; 11:19-26) These passages describe Barnabas’ relationship with Saul when Saul was a new believer. • f. How did Barnabas encourage Saul again? (Acts 11:25-26) • [He went to Tarsus, found Paul and brought him back to Antioch.] • g. Why do you think that Barnabas’ willingness to open doors for Saul was encouraging to Saul?
DISCUSSION GUIDE • Open Ears and Eyes (Acts 13:1-3; 14:21-28) Acts 13 and 14 chronicle Paul’s first missionary journey. These verses tell of the call of Saul and Barnabas, the places they visited and the results of their preaching. Saul is first identified as “Paul” in Acts 13:9. • a. Who were the leaders in the church at Antioch? (Acts 13:1) • [Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen and Saul.] • b. While they were worshipping and fasting, what did the Holy Spirit say to these men? (Acts 13:2) • [The men were to set apart Saul and Barnabas for a special work.] • c. Why do you think they laid their hands on Paul and Barnabas? • d. On their return trip what did Paul and Barnabas do? (Acts 14:22) • [They strengthened the disciples and encouraged them to remain true to the faith.]
DISCUSSION GUIDE • Open Ears and Eyes (Acts 13:1-3; 14:21-28) Acts 13 and 14 chronicle Paul’s first missionary journey. These verses tell of the call of Saul and Barnabas, the places they visited and the results of their preaching. Saul is first identified as “Paul” in Acts 13:9. • e. When they arrived in Antioch, what did Paul and Barnabas do? (Acts 14:27) • [They gathered the church and reported all that God had done in opening the door of faith to the Gentiles.] • e. How do you imagine the believers in Antioch felt after hearing the report of Barnabas and Paul? • f. Name the people from these passages who were encouraged by Paul and Barnabas.
DISCUSSION GUIDE • Open Records (Acts 15:22-35) During this early part of Paul’s ministry, questions began to arise about whether Gentiles needed to be circumcised before they could become believers. Acts 15 provides and account of a meeting in Jerusalem when this question was discussed. Paul and Barnabas attended this meeting. Verses 22-35 tell of the results of the meeting and the message that these men and others took back to Antioch. • a. Did the apostles and elders of the church at Jerusalem require that Gentiles be circumcised before they could become believers? What did the apostles and elders require? (Acts 15:24-29) • [Gentiles were not required to be circumcised. The apostles and elders required that new believers abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.]
DISCUSSION GUIDE • Open Records (Acts 15:22-35) During this early part of Paul’s ministry, questions began to arise about whether Gentiles needed to be circumcised before they could become believers. Acts 15 provides and account of a meeting in Jerusalem when this question was discussed. Paul and Barnabas attended this meeting. Verses 22-35 tell of the results of the meeting and the message that these men and others took back to Antioch. • b. How did the people of Antioch respond to the letter? (Acts 15:30) • [The people in Antioch were pleased with the letter.] • c. How was the letter described? (Acts 15:30) • [It is described as “encouraging.”]
DISCUSSION GUIDE • Open Records (Acts 15:22-35) During this early part of Paul’s ministry, questions began to arise about whether Gentiles needed to be circumcised before they could become believers. Acts 15 provides and account of a meeting in Jerusalem when this question was discussed. Paul and Barnabas attended this meeting. Verses 22-35 tell of the results of the meeting and the message that these men and others took back to Antioch. • d. How do you think the believers in Antioch felt about Paul and Barnabas’ role in bringing this encouraging news? • e. What encouraging news do you need today? • f. Who do you know that needs encouragement today?
DISCUSSION GUIDE • Open Hearts (Acts 15:36-41) Paul and Barnabas plan to visit those people they met on their first missionary journey. • a. What did Paul suggest to Barnabas? (Acts 15:36) • [Paul suggested that they visit the brothers in the towns where they had preached earlier.] • b. What did Barnabas want to do? (Acts 15:37) • [He wanted to take John Mark.] • c. Why didn’t Paul want John Mark to come along? • [Paul did not want to take him because John Mark had deserted them on their first journey.]
DISCUSSION GUIDE • Open Hearts (Acts 15:36-41) Paul and Barnabas plan to visit those people they met on their first missionary journey. • d. How did Paul and Barnabas resolve their conflict? • [Barnabas took John Mark and went to Cyprus; Paul took Silas and went through Syria and Cilicia.] • e. How do you think John Mark felt during this conflict? How do you think he felt when Barnabas insisted that he be included? • f. Was Barnabas wrong to insist that John Mark be a part of the mission? Why or why not? • g. Do you know anyone who has made a mistake and needs encouragement? What will you do?
