Key Ideas
Faith Fact
We can help new Christians.
Faith Verse
Ephesians 4:3 (NLT)
Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.
Question of the Day: How can we be like Barnabas?
Read about It
Read: Acts 9:26–31
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? These words mean that you can’t always tell what’s on the inside based on what you can see on the outside. This is a little like what some Christians in Jerusalem were doing to Saul. They were judging him because of his actions that they had seen in the past rather than the inside change that Jesus had made. But Saul was a changed man, and he needed the support of other believers so he could stay alive and tell others about Jesus.
Sometimes, Christians have trouble looking past how someone used to live before they came to Jesus. Instead of bringing the new believers close to encourage them in their new faith, they are pushed away by other Christians. Saul needed Barnabas to stand up for him, to celebrate what God had done in his life and be a friend who helped Saul become part of the community of faith. God wants us to be like Barnabas in this way and make sure that every new believer feels welcome in the family of God.
Talk about It
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Question 1. How did the believers in Jerusalem treat Saul when he first arrived there? Answer 1. They were afraid of him and wouldn’t meet with him. (Acts 9:26)
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| Question 2. How did Barnabas help Saul in this story?
Answer 2. Barnabas brought Saul to the apostles, told them what God had done in Saul’s life, and helped him get connected with other Christians. (Acts 9:27)
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| Question 3. Have you ever judged someone before you knew their whole story? Why or why not?
Answer 3. Answers will vary.
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| Question 4. Why do you think God wants us to help new believers?
Answer 4. Answers will vary.
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| Question 5. How can we be like Barnabas?
Answer 5. We can make sure that every new believer feels welcome in the family of God. |
Pray about It
Dear God, thank You for the way that You can completely change someone’s life. Help me to be like Barnabas and help new believers feel welcome in Your family. Amen.