BIBLE CHARACTERS

Lesson #7

 

Barnabas:

Giver-Encourager-Missionary-Human

Acts 4:36-37; Acts 9:26-27; Acts 11:19-24; Acts 11:25-26; Acts 11:29-30; Acts 12:25; Acts 13:1-52; Acts 14:8-18; Acts 15:36-41; Galatians 2:11-33

Victor M. Eskew

 

Discussion Questions

 

1.    What is the meaning of “consolation” (Acts 4:36)

 

2.    What qualities would be needed for one to be labeled, “The son of consolation” as Barnabas was?

 

3.    How does a person become a generous giver like Barnabas?

 

4.    Barnabas defended Saul before the apostles when the other disciples were afraid of him.  What caused Barnabas to defend him?

 

5.    Barnabas was sent by the church in Jerusalem to check up on the new converts in the regions of Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch?  Why was he selected?

 

6.    Acts 13 begins with Barnabas as the lead character (Acts 13:1, 2, 7).  As the events of the chapter unfold, Saul becomes the lead character (Acts 13:13; 46, 50).  How do you think Barnabas handled this transition?  How does a person handle the change from being the lead person to playing “second fiddle”?

 

7.    How do great men like Barnabas refuse the accolades that some individuals might like to put upon them? (See Acts 14:12)

 

8.    Paul and Barnabas had been through many things together.  How does a disagreement over one person, John Mark, cause such a division between men of their caliber?

 

9.    Barnabas had stood for Paul before the apostles in Jerusalem.  However, in Antioch, he was carried away with the dissimulation of Peter and others when certain from James came into their company?  Again, this happened in Antioch, not Jerusalem.  Why did fear grip his heart on that occasion?

 

10. Bible characters are designed to encourage us “to be” certain things as disciples of Christ.  What elements of Barnabas would you like to develop in yourself?