The Leadership ChallengeSample

Challenge 42

BARNABAS, SON OF ENCOURAGEMENT

READ: Acts 11:19–30

Barnabas may not make your “A” list of important persons in the biblical story, but he is an important figure in the life of the apostle Paul. We met him at the end of our previous reading (Acts 4:36–37), where the apostles gave him his nickname—“son of encouragement.” After Saul’s conversion, it is Barnabas who introduces him to the rightly skeptical church leadership in Jerusalem (Acts 9, especially 9:27). In our text, we see Barnabas at work. He has been sent by the Jerusalem church to Antioch to check on the report that Greeks had come to know Christ. He is so excited about what he finds that—after taking time to affirm what is happening among the new believers—he goes up to Tarsus in search of Saul. He knows he needs help, and he knows Paul’s gifts. Back in Antioch, they work together for a year to teach, inspire, and encourage the new church. Later, Barnabas will lead Saul (soon to be called Paul) on his first missionary journey (Acts 13). In a short time, Paul’s ministry even seems to outpace that of Barnabas as Paul becomes one of the preeminent leaders of the church. One of the key practices of a great leader is to encourage the hearts of team members by inspiring hope and courage and by recognizing team contributions to mission success.

How does the text describe Barnabas’s character and actions? How can you encourage the hearts of those that the Lord calls you to lead?