JU-126
BARNABAS
THE SON OF ENCOURAGEMENT
“The son of encouragement who vouched for Saul and lifted up Mark.”
MEET BARNABAS
His real name was Joseph — but the apostles renamed him Barnabas, 'Son of Encouragement,' because that's simply who he was. He believed in people before anyone else did.
THE STORY
Barnabas sold his field and laid the money at the apostles' feet. When the church was terrified of newly-converted Saul, it was Barnabas who took him in, vouched for him, and opened the door to the man who would write half the New Testament. He fetched Saul from Tarsus, teamed with him in Antioch (where disciples were first called Christians), and later gave young John Mark a second chance when Paul wouldn't — a second chance that gave us the Gospel of Mark. Encouragers change history quietly.
SCRIPTURE
PLACES
PEOPLE
MISSIONARY PARTNER OF
LESSONS
- 1.Believe in people before their reputation catches up.
- 2.Generosity opens doors the Gospel walks through.
- 3.Give second chances — some become Gospels.
PRAYER & REFLECTION
Lord, make me a Barnabas — quick to encourage, quick to vouch, quick to give a second chance. Amen.
ASK ABOUT BARNABAS
Reading about Barnabas and wondering something? Ask — the Study Assistant answers from Scripture, right here.
COLLECTIBLE
More than a collectible — a conversation starter. Every JUNIVERSE figure comes in packaging with a QR code that opens this very story page, so whoever holds Barnabas can scan it, hear the story, and meet Jesus. Collect them, gift them, and leave them behind wherever a story needs telling.