SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 07 October 30, 2005

The Church at Antioch
Theme: Living by Faith in Christ Alone
Theme Verse: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NIV
Readings: Acts 11:19-30 and Acts 12:24,25
Memory Verse: "The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul" Acts 11:29-30

      This lesson starts with a church scattered by persecution. But look at how God uses this terrible thing for good--to spread His word and His church to new places!
Word received: The persecution appeared to be a bad thing. Over and over I take the bad and use it for good. Compare this with what Joseph said about his brothers selling him into slavery (Genesis 50:20). "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." In the same way here, God is using the scattering of the believers to save many lives by bringing them to the knowledge of Christ Jesus and the new life he gives. Do you have an experience of God bringing good out of evil for you or someone you know?

      The beginning of the church in Antioch marks the spread of the gospel and church to the Gentiles. (The conversion of the Gentiles in Cornelius's house happens about the same time.) But in Antioch, Syria a large church is formed. Perhaps the conversion of Cornelius happened just before this to prepare the hearts and minds of the apostles and the church in Jerusalem (See 11:15-18)

      Look at the first map (Judea & Samaria) and the second one. Some refugees only shared the Good News with other Jews (vs.19) but others (vs20) also spoke to Greeks (includes other Gentiles).

      Notice the phrase, "the hand of the Lord was with them and a great number that believed turned to the Lord." Some other references to the "hand of the Lord" are: Luke 1:66 "and the hand of the Lord was with him (John the Baptist); Psalm31:15 "my times are in your hand"; Isaiah 59:1 "behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save, or his ear dull that it cannot hear…". And Jesus said, "no one can pluck them out of His (the Father's) hand ( ) God was working powerfully with them. Bishop Pytches, at our healing conference some years ago told us as we pray to bless what God is doing. Blackaby, in "Experiencing God" told us to look for what God is doing and join Him there.

      The mother church in Jerusalem heard about this and sent Barnabas (known as a "son of encouragement") to check it out. Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus (Acts 4:36) and there were many Cypriots in Antioch. They must have thought that a Jew from outside Palestine could assess the situation better. Barnabas was "glad when he saw the grace of God" and urged them all to remain faithful to the Lord with "steadfast purpose". He was not threatened by what he saw others were doing. He was excited by what God was doing and encouraged them to keep it up. Look at the kind of man God used here, "a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith", an ordinary man full of the Holy Spirit who encouraged others.

      Do we show the "evidence of the grace of God"? Do you encourage others as Barnabas did? Are you glad when others display God working in them or are you jealous? Are you full of faith and the Holy Spirit? Do you seek out others to try to bring them along in the faith, to nurture them?

      Barnabas not only gladly sees what God is doing in Antioch but he sees what is needed next. a skilled teacher, and he goes to Tarsus to hunt up Paul. (Probably a hundred miles--as the crow flies!) PRAYER: Lord, help us to be more like Barnabas. Give us eyes and hearts like Barnabas to be able to draw people in and encourage the whole Body.

      Notice how important teaching was in the early church, especially when they were Gentile converts from paganism, not Jews who had been brought up learning about God through the scriptures. The church at Antioch spent a whole year teaching these people. Not only new Christians, but all of us need to see learning more about God, His ways, and about the Scriptures as a life-long process.

       GIVING FOR OTHERS

      Read both the Memory Verse and Acts 11:19. Word received: Look at this verse along with the Memory Verse. They are part of the same picture. The disciples are giving to the needs of the church in Jerusalem. The church in Judea is sending forth witnesses in the midst of persecution. No matter where you are or what your condition, you can help others and be helped.

      Look at 11:25-26. Word received: Here Barnabas gives of himself by going to seek out Saul, and he and Saul give of themselves in teaching for a year. Also Barnabas gave encouragement to others.

      It is interesting to note that Agabus said the famine would be all over the world (that they knew) including Antioch! These new Christians were determined to send relief to the brethren (note the family term) in Jerusalem. They wanted to bless and help those from whom they had received the gospel.

      This is a picture of a good healthy Christian community. It is an example of what Jesus said (which Paul quotes in Acts 20:35), "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Paul was talking about his setting an example of helping others in the Body of Christ. "In all things I have shown you that by so toiling, one must help the weak."

      Saul/Paul and Barnabas had been sent with the gift to Jerusalem (11:30) and then they return to Antioch (12:25) with Barnabas's nephew, John Mark. Barnabas is always looking for someone to help, to mentor. (John Mark didn't do too well on the first missionary journey (he quit in the middle) but later he became a great helper of Paul. According to Roland Bainton, church historian, John Mark was traditionally credited with recording what Peter preached and with the evangelization of Egypt. (p.43,Christendom, vol.1)

      Acts 12:24 has a striking phrase, "The word of God grew and multiplied". Yes, the church grew but "the word of God grew". God's word, Jesus, the Word become flesh, and Jesus' word and name have power, power to change lives. Word received: This is exactly what I want. I will always achieve My purposes. Isaiah also talked about the power of God's word. (Isaiah 55:11) "so is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

How to teach word for SS teachers: Ask for opportunities to be a Barnabas to others. Ask for My help in recognizing those opportunities for what they are.

Teaching Ideas for Lesson 07
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.

      Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.

      Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.

Basic points of the lesson for little ones:

1. God can take something bad that has happened and use it for good. (Share a personal example with the kids.)

2. God used the bad things that happened to the first Christians to spread the good news about Jesus.

3. God wants all the world to know about Jesus love, which shows us the love of our Father God, just like 2,000 years ago.

4. Barnabas helped talk and teach about Jesus. He also encouraged and helped many people. God wants us to encourage and help others like Barnabas did.