Just Like Barnabas: Affirming

Transcription

1 Just Like Barnabas: Affirming Summary and Goal As the gospel spread beyond Jerusalem to Gentiles in various locales, the apostles had to decide how to shepherd these new, unexpected converts. In the lives of Barnabas and Paul, the importance of affirming the faith of believers was shown to be a critical part of spiritual perseverance and growth. Main Passages Acts 11:19-24; 2 Timothy 1:3-6 Session Outline 1. Barnabas Affirmed the Cypriot Greeks in Antioch (Acts 11:23) 2. Affirmation Through Thanksgiving (2 Timothy 1:3-4) 3. Affirmation Through Celebration of Salvation (2 Timothy 1:5; Acts 11:23) 4. Affirmation for Growth (2 Timothy 1:6) Theological Theme The gift of affirmation in the body of Christ fortifies the faith of believers and fuels them for continued growth in Christ. Christ Connection Just as Christ called His disciples and affirmed them with the Great Commission and the gift of the Holy Spirit, believers affirm one another by celebrating Christ in each other and encouraging continued spiritual growth. Missional Application Affirmation among believers is crucial for the ongoing encouragement to persevere while ministering to others in a world that rejects Christ. 1 Leader Guide

2 Historical Context of Acts Purpose To give an accurate account of the birth and growth of the Christian church. Author Luke (a Gentile physician) To Whom Written Theophilus and all lovers of God Date Written Between A.D. 63 and 70 Setting Acts is the connecting link between Christ s life and the life of the church, between the Gospels and the Letters. Key Verses But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 Key People Peter, John, James, Stephen, Philip, Paul, Barnabas, Cornelius, James (Jesus brother), Timothy, Lydia, Silas, Titus, Apollos, Agabus, Ananias, Felix, Festus, Agrippa, Luke Key Places Jerusalem, Samaria, Lydda, Joppa, Antioch, Cyprus, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, Caesarea, Malta, Rome Special Features Acts is a sequel to the Gospel of Luke. Because Acts ends so abruptly, Luke may have planned to write a third book, continuing the story. Date of My Bible Study: 2

3 3 Session Plan Just Like Barnabas: Affirming For Further Discussion What would the difference be, in terms of spiritual benefit, between a compliment offered by an acquaintance and an affirming word from a spiritually seasoned friend? Why is the source important? Introduction When was the first time you can remember someone affirming the presence of gifting in your life? How did that conversation change your perception of yourself? Do you think believers today are more or less likely to affirm another believer s growth, gifting, or calling than in years past? Why do you think so? In this week s session, the profound impact of affirmation was highlighted in the lives of Paul and Barnabas. Barnabas was sent to Antioch to verify the salvation of Cypriot believers. Paul s example was even more personal as he affirmed the gifting and calling of Timothy. Both of the scenarios included not only the celebration of salvation, but also the affirmation of salvation as a springboard for continued growth in Christ. 1. Barnabas Affirmed the Cypriot Greeks in Antioch (Acts 11:23) In Acts 11:19-24, Barnabas was sent by the apostles to Antioch to validate and affirm the salvation of the Cypriot Greeks there. Since Barnabas himself was from Cypress, this was a perfect assignment for him. Barnabas s gift of encouragement allowed him not only to celebrate the salvation of the Greeks, but also to continue to affirm their newfound faith in Christ by remaining in Antioch and discipling them personally for a prolonged season. In Barnabas s encounter in Antioch, celebration of salvation and affirmation toward strengthened faith were two sides of the same coin, so to speak. Why do you think it is important not to treat salvation and discipleship as different events? What do you think would have happened to the new believers in Antioch if Barnabas had not stayed to fortify their new faith? 2. Affirmation Through Thanksgiving (2 Timothy 1:3-4) At the opening of Paul s second letter to Timothy, Paul began with an emotional expression of his thankfulness for his son in the gospel ministry. 3 Leader Guide

4 While the form of the thanksgiving was extremely similar to Paul s other letters, this occurrence was heightened with a reflective tone. Paul was remembering his history of serving God. Remembering his history of serving God in spreading the gospel made it appropriate to remember Timothy, given Paul s mentoring of Timothy and the uniqueness of Timothy s reliability (Philippians 2). When you read of Paul s genuine thankfulness for Timothy, who in your life do you think of that you have a similar depth of thankfulness for? Why is that person so significant to you? When was the last time you expressed that thankfulness to them? 3. Affirmation Through Celebration of Salvation (2 Timothy 1:5) As Paul sought to affirm Timothy, he couched it in the celebration not only of his salvation, but also of the spiritual heritage that God used to bring about Timothy s salvation. Who has served to nurture your faith in Christ? Who might you seek to disciple in a similar manner? When facing times of hardship and trials in the life of a believer, how does a lineage of faith provide support? How have you experienced this personally? 4. Affirmation for Growth (2 Timothy 1:6) As mentioned earlier, Barnabas did not simply throw a party to celebrate that the Greeks in Antioch had accepted Christ. Rather, he committed himself to remain with them and help them grow through the early stages of their lives as Christ followers. What would you identify as your most recent season of discernible spiritual growth? What areas of growth most significantly marked that season? How are you different now than before the onset of that season? Conclusion What are some initial steps to move into relationships with depth and affirmation? What makes you the most apprehensive about that? Who in your life encourages you to grow as a believer? Who knows you well enough to hold you accountable in a lifegiving way? For Further Discussion When was the last time you heard a story of salvation that honestly caused you to spontaneously celebrate the goodness of God in that person s life? How did that celebration impact your own relationship with God? Session 3 4

5 Expanded Session Content 3 Just Like Barnabas: Affirming Introduction Discussing the gifts God gives believers for the purpose of serving the church, author Brian A. Williams explains the danger of not having outside affirmation during the discernment process. The problem, Williams observed, is that believers lack the ability to view themselves objectively. Consequently, the believer is frequently unable to perceive weaknesses, selfish motivations, or those gifts that are still in the process of emerging, not fully formed yet. In light of such limitations, Williams emphasizes the importance of deep relationships within the body of Christ in supplying the needed outside affirmation. Regarding the discerning of spiritual giftedness, Williams wrote: We have no choice but to rely on the faithful words of our friends, family, and parishioners to confirm them and provoke us to recognize their legitimate place in our vocation. Other times, though aware of them, we nervously depreciate their possible contribution, unsure of them ourselves. So aware are we of our own duplicitous weakness that the assurance of another s voice and another s eyes often commands more authority than our own. 1 Affirmation from brothers and sisters in Christ is an integral part of the building up of each believer. Apart from such exterior investment, resolve in obedience fades, perseverance in temptation falters, and validation of one s spiritual insight goes silent. When that affirmation is present, though, the faith of the believer grows into a developed and fortified spiritual force. When was the first time you can remember someone affirming the presence of gifting in your life? How did that conversation change your perception of yourself? Do you think believers today are more or less likely to affirm another believer s growth, gifting, or calling than in years past? Why do you think so? 5 Leader Guide

6 What would the difference be, in terms of spiritual benefit, between a compliment offered by an acquaintance and an affirming word from a spiritually seasoned friend? Why is the source important? Session Summary In this week s session, the profound impact of affirmation was highlighted in the lives of Paul and Barnabas. Barnabas was sent to Antioch to verify the salvation of Cypriot believers. Paul s example was even more personal as he affirmed the gifting and calling of Timothy. Both of the scenarios included not only the celebration of salvation, but also the affirmation of salvation as a springboard for continued growth in Christ. 1. Barnabas Affirmed the Cypriot Greeks in Antioch (Acts 11:23) In Acts 11:19-24, Barnabas was sent by the apostles to Antioch to validate and affirm the salvation of the Cypriot Greeks there. Since Barnabas himself was from Cypress, this was a perfect assignment for him. Barnabas s gift of encouragement allowed him not only to celebrate the salvation of the Greeks, but also to continue to affirm their newfound faith in Christ by remaining in Antioch and discipling them personally for a prolonged season. Luke described Barnabas s impression of the Greeks, saying, When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts (Acts 11:23). Affirming their faith by carefully teaching them resulted in large numbers of people being added to the number of believers in Antioch. Eventually that number became too great for Barnabas to handle alone, so he went to find Paul to aid him in affirming the believers toward continued growth. In Barnabas s encounter in Antioch, celebration of salvation and affirmation toward strengthened faith were two sides of the same coin, so to speak. Why do you think it is important not to treat salvation and discipleship as different events? What do you think would have happened to the new believers in Antioch if Barnabas had not stayed to fortify their new faith? Think about your own faith journey. Would you say your own growth in Christ resembled that of the believers in Antioch? Or were you left to lead your own growth in your new faith? What would you have changed? For what are you most grateful? Session 3 6

7 2. Affirmation Through Thanksgiving (2 Timothy 1:3-4) At the opening of Paul s second letter to Timothy, Paul began with an emotional expression of his thankfulness for his son in the gospel ministry. While the form of the thanksgiving was extremely similar to Paul s other letters, this occurrence was heightened with a reflective tone. Paul was remembering his history of serving God. Remembering his history of serving God in spreading the gospel made it appropriate to remember Timothy, given Paul s mentoring of Timothy and the uniqueness of Timothy s reliability (Philippians 2). Paul described his service both as being a continuation of the Levitical priests of the Old Testament, albeit in a much fuller sense serving the risen Messiah, and as being done in a clear conscience. Paul s clear conscience referred to his consistent focus on the message of salvation throughout his ministry. Public Affirmation Because the letter would have been read aloud, Paul was attempting to accomplish two tasks in these opening verses. First and most obviously, Paul was expressing his appreciation and dependence on Timothy. Second, however, Paul was also creating a plan of succession for the oversight of the churches by not only reestablishing the validity of his own apostleship, but also by favorably comparing Timothy s contribution to the gospel to his own. 7 Leader Guide Paul s thanksgiving occurred in the context of prayers for Timothy. This long Greek sentence served to incorporate many different concepts in a robust description of Timothy s importance to Paul and the gospel ministry. Given that this letter was composed toward the end of Paul s life, with a much more somber tone than any of Paul s other letters, the importance of Timothy in Paul s life and ministry would have only increased. Indeed, facing the reality of his last days, Paul knew full well that the work with the churches that had begun with him would be carried forward by someone else. In that light, there was no one Paul valued in that role more than Timothy. When you read of Paul s genuine thankfulness for Timothy, who in your life do you think of that you have a similar depth of thankfulness for? Why is that person so significant to you? When was the last time you expressed that thankfulness to them? Recall a time when you had to say goodbye to a longtenured friend. How would you describe your desire to see that person in the days/months that followed that goodbye? What was it about your relationship that was unique among your other friendships? How does that help you understand Paul s sense here? In verse 4, Paul recalled the mutual grief that he and Timothy experienced when they last parted ways. The language of longing to see you was a familiar element in Paul s letters because of the friendship letter motif he used in composing them. Still, though the element was a formality of the epistolary form, Paul communicated his heartfelt desire to see Timothy again with painful clarity. Given that this letter would have been read aloud to multiple churches, Paul s thanksgiving for Timothy affirmed Timothy s character and calling as a disciple.

8 3. Affirmation Through Celebration of Salvation (2 Timothy 1:5) As Paul sought to affirm Timothy, he couched it in the celebration not only of his salvation, but also of the spiritual heritage that God used to bring about Timothy s salvation. Paul did not just celebrate the validity of Timothy s faith in Christ, as evidenced by the considerable fruit of the Spirit in his life. He also pointed out that the same faith was in Timothy s mother and grandmother, whom God used to nurture Timothy s own faith. Just as Paul had explained that his own ministry was in keeping with that of his ancestors, he placed Timothy s expression of his salvation in line with Timothy s ancestors. Who has served to nurture your faith in Christ? Who might you seek to disciple in a similar manner? When facing times of hardship and trials in the life of a believer, how does a lineage of faith provide support? How have you experienced this personally? 4. Affirmation for Growth (2 Timothy 1:6) As mentioned earlier, Barnabas did not simply throw a party to celebrate that the Greeks in Antioch had accepted Christ. Rather, he committed himself to remain with them and help them grow through the early stages of their lives as Christ followers. In fact, for a whole year, Barnabas and Paul remained with the believers in Antioch to not only celebrate their faith, but also to affirm their growth to new levels of spiritual maturity and gospel effectiveness. Timothy s Faith The use of faith in Paul s mention of co-workers in his letters was a common occurrence. However, Paul could mean multiple things by faith, according to its usage. For some, faith referred to the objective content of the apostolic gospel. For other uses, it meant the actual condition of believing in Christ as Savior. In this context, however, your faith was probably meant as Timothy s continual disposition of belief in Christ. Describing it as authentic, then, contrasted Timothy with the false teachers who had infiltrated many of the congregations to whom this letter would have been read aloud. 2 Paul did a similar thing in 2 Timothy with Timothy. Having expressed tremendous thanksgiving for Timothy s friendship and collaboration in the gospel and having celebrated the reality and fruit of Timothy s salvation, Paul turned to affirm Timothy s immediate future in the gospel ministry. Indeed, having established their similarity in calling and experience in ministry, Paul directed Timothy to not grow complacent in the considerable usefulness of his past for the gospel, but to look to his next season of growth. What would you identify as your most recent season of discernible spiritual growth? What areas of growth most significantly marked that season? How are you different now than before the onset of that season? Session 3 8

9 How open are you to your next season of growth? When was the last time you prayed for God to make you aware of areas that He would like for you to grow increasingly like Christ? Who do you talk with about such spiritually significant matters so that they can join you in prayer? Paul s command to Timothy was to rekindle the gift of God. The idea of rekindling inherently carried with it the mental image of vigilantly tending a fire so that it continued to burn brightly. Such was Paul s desire for Timothy. Timothy had received the Holy Spirit at salvation, as well as the accompanying divine gifts to equip him for his unique ministry calling. Paul s challenge was to affirm that calling and urge that Timothy continuously pursue its fulfillment, not growing weary or complacent. Conclusion Affirmation in spiritual matters is a practice that is easily overlooked in our current context. Because of the highly prized American individualism and the juxtaposition between sharing everything on social media while keeping substantive matters private, the depth of relationship required to genuinely affirm another believer can be a rare experience. Still, because of what both Barnabas and Paul demonstrated in their own ministries, the modern church can ill afford to let the affirmation of the body of Christ go ignored. In order to practice such affirmation, there are some important points of consideration. First, we must discipline ourselves to risk authentic relationships. Read the words of Paul again as he expressed his thankfulness for the influence and contribution of Timothy in his life and ministry. Most believers would struggle to think of one person with whom they would be comfortable enough to communicate so boldly and openly. Because affirmation is such a profoundly personal action, surface-level relationships limit the believer s ability to offer genuine affirmation. To that end, believers in our culture must refuse to be placated with what passes for connection in the digital age. Instead, believers must follow Christ s example of bold, honest, loving, and redemptive relationships so that words of affirmation become the norm instead of the exception. Such a risk is equal parts terrifying and invigorating. Second, salvation is to be celebrated often. Many times, the only time we celebrate a person s salvation is during their baptism. To celebrate a person s spiritual journey, however, means that we must know and celebrate the beginning of that journey. In light of that, we must tell our stories to one another about how Christ drew us to Himself. How many times in the New Testament did Paul tell his own story? It is a model worth repeating over and over. Consider those in your life to whom you consider yourself 9 Leader Guide

10 closest. How well do you know their story of redemption? Salvation is to be celebrated, and that starts with stories. Third, we must become catalysts for continual spiritual growth. Regardless of the degree of growth a believer experiences, he or she will never finish the sanctification process on this side of eternity. That means that as long as a believer draws in oxygen, there is another growth step to be taken. The thing about growth steps, though, is that they require incredible discipline and increased dying to self. The body of Christ works best when its individual parts affirm one another toward the next step of spiritual growth, whatever that may be. Again, however, such catalytic encouragement requires a depth of relationship that allows the honesty of one believer to tell another that he or she believes God is drawing them to grow in a specific area. What are some initial steps to move into relationships with depth and affirmation? What makes you the most apprehensive about that? Who in your life encourages you to grow as a believer? Who knows you well enough to hold you accountable in a lifegiving way? When was the last time you heard a story of salvation that honestly caused you to spontaneously celebrate the goodness of God in that person s life? How did that celebration impact your own relationship with God? Prayer of Response Pray that God would make you a person who affirms others for God s glory. Thank God for your own salvation, and for the growth He has brought about in your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you ways you can encourage others in these areas. Additional Resources Instruments in the Redeemer s Hands by Paul David Tripp Side by Side by Edward Welch Befriend by Scott Sauls Session 3 10

11 For Next Week Session Title --Just Like Barnabas: Leading Main Passages - Acts 11:25-26; Exodus 18:17-24 Session Outline 1. Barnabas in Antioch (Acts 11:25-26) 2. Leading When the Need is Great (Exodus 18:17-18) 3. Leading to a Selfless Solution (Exodus 18:19-23) 4. Leading to a New Answer (Exodus 18:24) Memorize Therefore, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. -2 Timothy 1:6 Daily Readings --Monday - Acts 11: Tuesday - Exodus 18: Wednesday - Philippians 2:1-4 --Thursday - Matthew 20:20:28 --Friday - John 13: Saturday - 1 Timothy 4: Leader Guide

12 Extended Commentary 2 Timothy 1:3-6 1:3. Paul began with thanksgiving. It is important, however, to sift through all the clauses of the sentence in order to arrive at the object of his thankfulness. I thank God...as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Paul, at the end of life s journey, offered thanks for this young man of faith. Sitting alone in the chill of a Roman prison, perhaps Paul reflected upon the shared struggles and joys of ministry together. As events replayed in his mind, there stirred within him a thankfulness for Timothy s loyalty and commitment to Christ. So with gratitude and concern, even though he knew Timothy s weaknesses, Paul continued in prayer night and day. In the middle of his thanksgiving, Paul inserted a personal tribute to his heritage of faith. He probably did this to establish a parallel between himself and Timothy. Later he directed Timothy to consider his own upbringing. Paul thanked God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience. No one could convict Paul of pandering to public opinion, faddish philosophies, or personal ambition. He served God and no other. The God he served was the same one to whom his ancestors were committed. He drew the line of his faith through previous generations. Paul had not denied his Hebrew heritage by following Jesus Christ; he had fulfilled it (Acts 13:16-33). This he did with a clear conscience, one that was healthy and not diseased by the misinterpretation of Scripture or the hardening of his heart through sin. 1:4. Paul inserted a very personal word to Timothy, one of deep affection. These two men were obviously close companions. They were not afraid to talk about this or to display the emotions of their friendship. Paul thought back on the last time they saw each other: recalling your tears, I long to see you. Why Timothy shed tears, we can only guess. Perhaps it was the frustration of having to deal with difficulties he felt were beyond his ability to manage; perhaps Paul s leaving left Timothy feeling utterly alone; perhaps it was simply the heartache one feels when a dear friend departs. Whatever the cause, it seems Timothy had a sensitive and tender disposition. Session 3 12

13 This tenderness in Timothy evoked from Paul a greater desire to see the young man. Like a parent for a child, Paul sensed in Timothy a vulnerability, and he wanted to strengthen him through God he wanted to see him. But Paul also knew that this relationship was not one-sided. Seeing Timothy would benefit him as well: he would be filled with joy. This joy is a delight that breaks the bonds of circumstances, centering itself in the person of Christ and his people. 1:5. Paul returned to the subject of spiritual heritage as he thought about Timothy: I have been reminded of your sincere faith. He had watched Timothy and worked beside him for years. In Timothy, Paul recognized a genuine faith, one adhering to the teachings of Christ and the apostles, which in turn produced righteous behavior. Proper belief and proper actions are components of sincere faith. Paul realized that genuine faith had been modeled for Timothy through his family. It was evident in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice. Though true faith cannot be inherited, it can be demonstrated in convincing ways within the context of a family. Even so, each person must entrust himself personally to Jesus Christ. True faith is individually claimed. Timothy s father was Greek. His mother and grandmother, however, were Jewish (Acts 16:1). Apparently they had trained Timothy in reading and memorizing Old Testament texts because Paul later remarked how Timothy had from childhood known the holy Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:15). This had proved a good foundation as he developed into faith in Christ. The genuine faith Paul had noted in Timothy s mother and grandmother, he was convinced now lives in you [Timothy]. 1:6. Having established Timothy s heritage of belief in God and confirmed his conviction that Timothy shared in this genuine faith, Paul issued a command. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you. The reason Paul could remind Timothy of God s gift was because Timothy was an authentic believer. The gift of God, which is in you was probably the Holy Spirit. Every genuine believer receives this gift from God. This is why Paul told Timothy that he was persuaded of his sincere faith. Timothy had this powerful gift within him, enabling him to perform all that God required. Even so, Timothy must fan into flame the Spirit s power. This is a presenttense verb. It might better be translated keep fanning. It was not that the Spirit s flame was weak or needed to be alive by human effort but that the 13 Leader Guide

14 Spirit only works in cooperation with those who desire his enablement. We keep fanning the flame by keeping in step with the Spirit (Gal. 5:25), by disciplining ourselves in godliness to produce the fruit which is his nature (Gal. 5:22). 3 Acts 11: :19 The Christian mission continued to spread much further afield, including areas well beyond Judea ( Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch). 11:20-21 The evangelization of Antioch was carried out by Cypriot and Cyrenian believers. As a result, Antioch became the center of the Gentile mission and the church that sent Paul out as a missionary (see chaps. 13 and following). 11:22-24 The spiritual qualities of Barnabas were obvious to the Jerusalem church (4:36-37; 9:27). No wonder they sent him to Antioch. He was probably sent to determine the genuineness of the conversions taking place there and encourage them to remain true to the Lord. 4 References 1. Williams, Brian A. The Potter s Rib. Vancouver: Regent College Publishing, Towner, Philip. H. The Letters to Timothy and Titus. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Company, Larson, Knute, and Max E. Anders. I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, HCSB Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, Session 3 14