KINDNESS* is showing others they are valuable by how you treat them. BARNABAS & SAUL Bible Reading: Acts 9:26-30 (supporting Scripture: Acts 7:58; Acts 9) MEMORY VERSE Do to others as you want them to do to you. Luke 6:31 (NIrV) WEEK 4 Barnabas sat, eyes closed, hands pressed to his forehead, as voices shouted over him. There were many leaders in the room. Peter was definitely the loudest, though John and James were chiming in, too. It s bad enough he knows where we meet, Peter roared. He does say he s changed, John pointed out. John, this is Saul we re talking about, James said, exasperated. You know, the man who held coats so the religious leaders could stone Stephen to death?! Peter pounded a fist on the table. All I know is, when he headed for Damascus, he had an order from the religious leaders to arrest the believers there. He d wipe us off the face of the earth if he could, James agreed. I just think we need to calm down, John told them. But that only set Peter off again. Calm down? With a man right outside the door who wants to arrest believers? Barnabas could feel his head pounding. This was turning into an absolute disaster. He took a deep breath and launched to his feet. Wait! he cried. 1
Everyone stared at him in surprise. Barnabas took a deep breath. I think we should trust Saul, he said. Peter shook his head. Barnabas, you re the one who brought him here. We ll never be able to meet in this place again. But Saul is one of us now! Barnabas explained. It s just a trick, protested James. No, it s not, Barnabas defended. Honest! I ve heard the truth from good friends among the believers in Damascus. The truth, huh? Peter raised an eyebrow. But Saul is one of us now! Barnabas explained. It s kind of a long story, Barnabas said. Just hear me out, okay? Peter simmered, but slowly sat back down. This had better be good. The other believers followed suit. Barnabas began the story, just as he d heard it from trusted friends. Weeks before, Saul had asked for special letters from the high priest in Jerusalem. I m going to arrest everyone in Damascus who believes in Jesus! But as Saul traveled the dusty road toward Damascus, a blinding light flared from heaven. Saul fell to his knees. A voice called down to him from heaven, Saul! Saul!... Why are you opposing me? 2
Who are you, Lord? I am Jesus... the one you are opposing. Now get up and go into the city. There you will be told what you must do. After a moment, the light faded, and Saul staggered to his feet. What s going on? Why is it dark? Saul was blind! The men traveling with him had to lead him into the city. For three days, Saul stayed in the dark and ate nothing. But God didn t leave Saul alone. He spoke to a believer named Ananias and told him to visit Saul. Lord, I ve heard about this man! Ananias gasped. He came here to arrest people who believe in You! For three days, Saul stayed in the dark and ate nothing. Go! the Lord told him. I have chosen this man to work for me. He will carry my name to those who aren t Jews. So Ananias went to the place where Saul was staying. He laid his hands on Saul. Brother Saul... you saw the Lord Jesus.... He has sent me so that you will be able to see again. You will be filled with the Holy Spirit. Saul blinked as sunlight flashed across his vision, and Ananias baptized him. Soon afterward, Saul began meeting with the believers in Damascus. And then he did something even bolder: He stood up in the synagogues and began preaching to Jews who didn t believe in Jesus. Jesus is the Son of God! he declared. 3
The religious leaders in Damascus weren t happy about this. We must do away with this man at once! they decided. We ll watch all the gates and nab him when he tries to leave the city! But Saul learned of this tricky plan. So the other believers hatched a plan of escape. If it s gates they re watching, well, we ll put you in a basket and lower you through an opening in the city wall! they told him. They carried out their plan in the middle of the night. Once he was safely outside the city, Saul traveled back to Jerusalem, hoping to join the believers there. As Barnabas finished the story, he cleared his throat and looked around the room. He was met by stares of amazement. You see, Barnabas said. Saul is one of us. He has seen Jesus!... we ll put you in a basket and lower you through an opening in the city wall! After a long moment, Peter nodded. All right. Bring him in. Peter gestured to one of the other believers, who left quickly and returned in moments with Saul. Peter nodded at Barnabas and then spoke to Saul. Saul, we were scared that you were going to harm us, like you ve harmed believers in the past. But Barnabas stood up for you. He told the whole story, front to back. He explained how you have heard from Jesus and how He changed your heart and your life. Barnabas said you re one of us. Saul crossed the room in a few quick steps and clapped Barnabas on the back. Thank you, my friend. I don t deserve such a kindness. I am more grateful than I can say! 3
Thanks to Barnabas encouraging words, the believers in Jerusalem fully accepted Saul. Later, Saul who became known as Paul traveled all over, teaching about Jesus and planting new churches, just as Jesus said he would. Let's Talk It s easy to be nice to the people who are nice to you. But Jesus says we re not supposed to stop there. He wants us to be kind to the people who aren t kind to us. Discuss some people in your life who aren t kind to you, whether it s a bully at school, a grumpy neighbor, or maybe even, sometimes, a sibling. Now together, write down one (safe) way that you could be kind to each of those people next time you see them. Pray for the people you mentioned by name and ask God for the grace to be kind to them even during the times they aren t kind to you. Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL READER S VERSION Copyright 1995, 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. 2014 The rethink Group, Inc. All rights reserved.