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Group Discussion
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Barnabas - Son of Encouragement
August 11,2024
Week 1: Build Others Up
Jeff Griffin
Acts 4:36-37
Encouragement is more than just a compliment or a pat on the back. Building others up unleashes transformation in their lives — a skill anyone can master. Our words are powerful and can bring a blessing and life or tear others down. In this new series, we’ll learn how to change our world through encouraging others.
Barnabas earned the nickname of “son of encouragement” from his fellow apostles. Besides offering encouragement, describe 2 or 3 key qualities you often look for in a true friend or mentor?
1. What are some characteristics you learned about Barnabas in the message and from our anchor passage, Acts 4:36-37? What were you surprised to hear?
“For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means ‘Son of Encouragement’). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.”
2. The Scriptures speak of the power of encouragement. Why does it make such a difference when believers give courage to their sphere of influence?
(See 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 2 Corinthians 13:11, Hebrews 10:25, and Ephesians 4:29).
3. Where in your life do you currently have the greatest encouragement? Where could you use a little more?
4. Most of our words aren’t intentional and just fly out of our mouths. Yet Jeff addressed how we can become more intentional in encouraging others. What’s most challenging for you on this list? What difference could it make in your world if you were to try to live this out?
· Live on mission.
· Think carefully about what you say.
· Instill hope.
· Repent when needed.
Read Romans 12:8. Ask God to guide you and your group members to have the right encouraging words to say to everyone around you.
“If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”