1. Session 10 Stick with Encouragement
Lifeway Bible Studies for Life KJV Spring 2015
Session 10 Stick with Encouragement
May 3, 2015
Passage: Acts 9:26-28; 11:21-26

2. The point: Encouragement strengthens relationships
Acts 9:26 – 28
26 ~ And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
27 ~ But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
28 ~ And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
Question
How has someone helped you when you felt like the new kid on the block?

3. Acts 11:21 – 24
21 ~ And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
22 ~ Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
23 ~ Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
24 ~ For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
God sometimes brings pain to his children – conviction over sin,…challenges that scare us, or visions of his holiness that overwhelm us. But God never brings discouragement.
John Ortberg
Question:
* How do we intentionally grow into the role of an encourager?

4. Acts 11:25 – 26
25 ~ Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
26 ~ And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Digging Deeper
“Christians”
Acts 11:26 tells us that the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. But by whom? The term means “the Christ people” or “little Christs.” Since “Christ” is the Greek word for “Messiah,” and Judaism does not acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, the term would not have been used by Jews.
Most likely, it came from Gentiles, who would have heard the new believers speaking of Christ so often that they simply supplied the “-ian” suffix to the word.
IF SOMEONE GAVE YOU A NICKNAME BASED ON WHAT THEY HEARD YOU TALKING ABOUT THE MOST, WHAT WOULD IT BE?