In the Beginning . . . Jumping into God’s Story
UNIT 4:
LESSON 11:
The Church
Grows
Barnabas
Encourages Others
Bible
Summary
Acts 4:36-37;
9:27–15:39
Barnabas was called
the “Son of
Encouragement” for
all the things he did
to encourage others.
He gave money,
spread the good news
of Jesus, and helped
others. Barnabas traveled with Paul to different towns telling
others about Jesus
and His love. He visited the town of
Antioch and told people there about the
church. He even invited his nephew, Mark,
to travel with him to
the city of Cyprus to
tell people there
about God. Barnabas
wanted everyone to
be encouraged by
God’s great love.
Bible Verse
Key
Concept
God wants
us to encourage
others.
KEY CONCEPT MOTIONS:
God [point up] wants us [hold arms out] to
encourage others [give a high five].
Objectives
KNOW WHAT:
Children will hear how Barnabas encouraged Paul, Mark, and others.
SO WHAT:
Children will learn God wants us to
encourage others.
NOW WHAT:
Children will participate in an activity to
identify ways they can encourage people of
all ages and walks of life.
Spiritual Formation
Encouraging Others
People Needed
Teacher, Helper
Supplies
(Labeled items below can be found in the
Lesson 11 Visual folder on the Spring
Quarter CDs.)
CD player
Music for singing
Sound effects CD #2
The Beginner’s Bible
Barnabas poster
(Lesson 11 LG 1 – Lesson 11 LG 5)
Note (see In Advance)
Encouragement poster
(Lesson 11 LG 6 – Lesson 11 LG 8)
Sailing ship (Lesson 11 LG 9)
Small “treasure chest”
8 Encouragement pictures
(Lesson 11 SG 10 – Lesson 11 SG 17)
Crayons
For each child:
• Key Concept sticker (Lesson 11 SG 18)
• Take-home coloring sheet
(Lesson 11 SG 19, Lesson 11 SG 20)
“Encourage one
another…”
I Thessalonians 5:11
1
Spring Quarter
© 2008 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teacher’s Guidebook / Lesson 11
UNIT 4:
The Church
Grows
Notes:
In Advance
Recruit a Helper to operate the music and sound effects CDs and to help you with crowd
control.
Determine which songs you will use and be prepared to lead the children in singing.
Song suggestions:
• Upbeat song for transition from Activity Stations to the Creative Bible Teaching
• “Having a Good Time” (Reach Up High CD)
• “The Happy Dance” (Reach Up High CD)
Gather the supplies listed above and arrange your classroom as follows:
• Set up your “Treasure Chest” on a fabric-covered card table for props and find a puppet to serve as “Buccaneer Bunny,” as per the Unit Overview.
Print out the pictures for the Barnabas poster. Glue them to a bright piece of poster
board with Barnabas in the middle and the heart, clock, mouth, and money pictures
clock-wise around him. You may wish to cut out the individual pictures so they fit on the
poster more easily. Place the poster inside the Treasure Chest or behind the card table.
Print out the pictures for the Encouragement poster. Cut out the pictures and attach
them to a large piece of blue poster board. Draw a small, green “island” under each picture. Print the sailing ship picture, copy it onto cardstock, and cut it out. Add a small
piece of tape or sticky tack to the back so you can “land” the ship on individual “islands.”
Place these items inside the Treasure Chest or behind the card table.
Print and copy the eight Encouragement pictures and cut them apart; there are four to a
page, but you will only need one of each card. Place these inside a small, decorated box
that goes inside the larger Treasure Chest.
Prepare the materials that will be given to each child. To prepare the stickers, print or
copy the pages onto Avery label sheets #5294. Consider cutting the stickers apart for easier distribution.
Print the lesson and practice the teaching time.
Teacher’s Prep
READ ACTS 4:36-37 and 9:27–15:39. (You may wish to read one chapter each day this
week.) One of the great things about growing as a Christian is learning more and more
about our awesome God. Consider all the wonderful things He has done and is for you. God
knows every one of your needs. He loves you unconditionally. He gave His one and only Son
so you could be in a relationship with Him. God is in control and if you allow Him, He will
carry your burdens. It is such encouragement to know we have a God who loves and cares
for us.
Our world is filled with hurting and lonely people with no one to turn to. Many have never
heard or experienced the love of God. Your kindness and encouragement to the people in
your life makes a significant difference because it communicates they matter. Ask God to
nudge you. Who are the people to whom He wants you to be Barnabas?
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Spring Quarter
© 2008 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teacher’s Guidebook / Lesson 11
UNIT 4:
The Church
Grows
Activity Stations
(20 MINUTES)
Choose which Activity Stations you will use from the list included in the Activity Stations
folder.
Creative Bible Teaching
(15 MINUTES)
[Play upbeat music as children transition to the teaching area. Encourage kids to clap their hands
along with you. Clap in a variety of styles, like overhead, on your knees, on your belly, etc.]
Note to
Teacher:
If your Helper is
comfortable with
memorizing lines
(or reading them
from behind the
table/puppet
stage), your Helper
can operate the
Buccaneer Bunny
puppet. Just make
sure to practice in
advance.
TEACHER:
Hi, everyone! I’m_______________________. [Pull out Buccaneer Bunny puppet from
behind Treasure Chest and put it on. Use the Treasure Chest and table as a puppet stage, if you
wish. Use a gravelly pirate voice for Buccaneer Bunny’s lines. Have fun with the character.]
And this is my friend—
BUCCANEER:
Ahoy, mates and welcome back to Treasure Island! Me name be Buccaneer Bunny.
TEACHER:
We’re pretending to be pirates, along with all of you. That’s what we get to do on Treasure
Island—play pirate games, sing sea chanteys—those’re songs—and hear great Bible stories
together!
BUCCANEER:
Shiver me timbers. That’s mighty fine, but ye can’t be proper pirates until ye know the pirate
code!
The first part of the pirate code says t’ be kind. That means sit flat on yer bottoms and listen
when the cap’n speaks. If all you pirates can follow the code by being kind, say, “Aye, aye,
sir!” [Kids respond.]
Yar! The second part of the pirate code says t’ be safe. All pirates like to have fun and adventures, but ye need t’ keep yer hands to yerselves. If all you pirates can follow the code by
being safe, say, “Aye, aye, sir!” [Kids respond.] Arrr, that be music to me ears.
TEACHER:
Good job. Now, do all you pirates like stories? [Kids respond.] Then let’s hear a true story
from the Bible!
BUCCANEER:
And I’ve got just the story fer ye today! Ye’ll find me Bible in me Treasure Chest, along with
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Spring Quarter
© 2008 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teacher’s Guidebook / Lesson 11
UNIT 4:
The Church
Grows
other things t’ help tell the story. I’ve got t’ see about an anchor that needs weighing, so have
fun topside!
TEACHER:
See ya later, Buccaneer Bunny! [Put puppet away.] Let’s see which story he picked out for us
today. [Open Treasure Chest and pull out Bible, Barnabas poster, and note.] Ah, ha. We get to
learn about Barnabas the Encourager!
“Encourage” is a pretty big word. To encourage someone means to help cheer someone up
or help someone feel good. Barnabas loved to encourage others. That’s why he was called an
encourager! One way Barnabas liked to encourage people was by speaking kind words.
[Show poster and point to the mouth picture.] What’s one way he liked to encourage others?
[Pause while kids respond, “By speaking kind words!”] Good job! You are all very good listeners.
Lesson 11 LG 1
One time there was a man named Paul. [Make a mean face.] Do you remember Paul? No
one liked him, because he used to be mean to people who loved Jesus. Jesus spoke to Paul,
and Paul changed, but people still didn’t like him. [Make a sad face.]
Barnabas spoke kind words to Paul. [Smile softly.] He told the people Paul had changed and
wanted to tell others about Jesus’ love. After Barnabas encouraged Paul with kind words,
everyone was nice to him. [Make a big smile.] I have an idea! Why don’t you turn to the
person next to you and tell them something kind. [Kids respond.]
Lesson 11 LG 2
Wow! You all are good encouragers. Barnabas was a good encourager. What’s one way
Barnabas encouraged others? [Kids respond, “By speaking kind words.”] That’s right! He
[point to mouth picture] said nice things to others. Great job, pirates! Which picture should
we look at next? [Kids respond.] Let’s look at the clock picture. [Reach over and tap the clock
picture.]
Another way Barnabas liked to encourage others was by spending time with them. Some of
his friends traveled far, far away to tell others about Jesus’ love. It’s lonely going someplace
all by yourself, so instead of letting his friends go alone, he traveled with them. He encouraged his friends by traveling and spending time with them.
Lesson 11 LG 3
Raise your hand if you have friends. [Kids raise their hands.] Wow! You can put your hands
down. When you go someplace new, do you like to go alone or with your friends? [Kids
respond.] It’s nice to be with friends. If you see one of your friends playing by themselves,
what can you do? [Kids respond.] You could play with them! Good job. We can encourage
our friends and family by spending time with them
How did Barnabas encourage others? [Kids respond, “Spending time with them.”] You’re
right! [Point to clock.] Barnabas knew he could encourage his friends by traveling with them
and spending time with them. Which picture should we look at next? [Kids respond.] Let’s
look at the money picture. [Reach over and tap the money picture.]
One way Barnabas encouraged others was by giving. There were some poor people in the
church. They didn’t have enough money to buy food or clothes or a place to live. They were
worried about how they would get enough food to eat. Rub your tummies like you’re really
hungry. [Kids rub their tummies.]
Lesson 11 LG 4
4
Spring Quarter
Barnabas wanted to cheer them up and help them feel better, so he sold some of his things.
He gave the money to the church, and the church gave the money to the poor people so they
© 2008 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teacher’s Guidebook / Lesson 11
UNIT 4:
The Church
Grows
could buy food and clothes. The poor people weren’t worried anymore! Barnabas encouraged people by giving. How did he encourage people? [Kids respond.]
There are lots of things we can give to encourage people. We can give money, like Barnabas
did. We can give food. What are some other things we can give to help people feel better?
[Kids respond.] Wow! I heard some great ideas. We can give cards or clothes or toys. I know!
Turn to the person next to you and give them a high five. [Kids high-five.]
What did Barnabas do to help others? [Kids respond.] That’s right. Barnabas sold something
he had and gave the money away to encourage others! We can give to encourage others, too!
So far we’ve learned Barnabas encouraged others by [point to mouth picture] speaking kind
words, [point to clock picture] spending time with others, and [point to money picture] giving
to others. What’s the last picture, pirates? [Kids respond.] Let’s find out about the heart.
[Reach over and tap the heart picture.]
Lesson 11 LG 5
The best way Barnabas encouraged others was by telling them about Jesus’ love. Some people were sad and lonely. Others didn’t feel loved. Barnabas knew Jesus loves everyone and
wants to be our friend. Barnabas traveled all around town telling people Jesus loved them.
When people heard Jesus loved them, they weren’t sad anymore! Barnabas cheered them up.
Then Barnabas heard there were people who lived far, far away who didn’t know about Jesus,
so he traveled all the way there. Everyone, pretend you’re traveling with me! Stand up [allow
a moment] and bend your back like you’re carrying a back pack. [Allow a moment.] Bend
your backs a little more. Now let’s walk to the wall! [March toward one side of the teaching
area as the kids move with you.] And stop!
Let’s encourage the people here by telling them, “Jesus loves you!” on the count of three.
Ready? One, two, three. “Jesus loves you!” Again. “Jesus loves you!” One more time. “Jesus
loves you!” Great job! Give each other a high five!
But then Barnabas heard there were people living far, far, far away in another place who
didn’t know Jesus loved them. Travel with me the other way. Bend your backs. [Allow a
moment.] Now let’s walk to the other wall! [Walk in the other direction. Stop when the kids are
back where they started.] And stop!
Let’s encourage the people here by telling them “Jesus loves you!” on the count of three.
Ready? One, two, three. “Jesus loves you!” Again. “Jesus loves you!” One more time. “Jesus
loves you!” Great job! Shout “woohoo!” Woohoo! You can all sit back down.
Barnabas really was a good encourager! We can encourage others, too. Today we’re learning
God [point up] wants us [hold arms out] to encourage others [give a high five]. [Give a
high five to your Helper.] You’ll need a partner for this, so turn to the person next to you, and
let’s say it on the count of three. Ready? One, two, three. God [point up] wants us [hold
arms out] to encourage others [give a high five]. Let’s have this side of the room say it. God
[point up] wants us [hold arms out] to encourage others [give a high five]. Now the other
side. God [point up] wants us [hold arms out] to encourage others [give a high five].
Barnabas was one of the best encouragers in the Bible. He wanted to tell everyone about
Jesus’ love! Let’s stand up and sing.
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Spring Quarter
© 2008 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teacher’s Guidebook / Lesson 11
UNIT 4:
The Church
Grows
Song suggestion: “Having a Good Time”
MUSIC
[Invite kids to sit on the count of three.]
Life Application Activity
(15 MINUTES)
TEACHER:
Let’s say what we learned on the count of three. One, two, three. God [point up] wants us
[hold arms out] to encourage others [give a high five]. Great job. That was louder than a
bunch o’ snoring pirates.
ACTIVITY #1
Lesson 11 LG 6
Buccaneer Bunny left a special sailing game for us! We get to find more ways to encourage
people. [Pull Encouragement poster and sailing ship out of Treasure Chest.]
Here’s our special map. When the music plays, I’ll sail the ship. When the music stops, we’ll
see what island it landed on. We have to figure out how we can encourage the people on the
island.
Let’s use our telescopes to watch as the ship sets sail! Make two circles with your hands.
[Demonstrate.] Now stack your hands one on top of the other and put them up to your eye
[model], and there’s your pirate telescope! Ready? Telescopes up!
Lesson 11 LG 7
[SFX 41: Sailing music.]
[“Sail” the ship all over, on and off the poster. As the music ends, the ship should land on the
running girl picture.]
TEACHER:
Telescopes down! The ship landed on a picture of a girl running a race. She looks tired, and
maybe she feels like giving up. She needs some encouragement! What can we say to encourage this girl? [Kids respond.] Those are good answers. God [point up] wants us [hold arms
out] to encourage others [give a high five].
Let’s watch as the ship starts sailing again. Telescopes up!
Lesson 11 LG 8
[SFX 42: Sailing music.]
[“Sail” the ship again. As the music ends, the ship should land on the sick boy picture.]
TEACHER:
Telescopes down! The ship landed on a picture of a boy who’s sick. He looks sad and lonely.
What can we do to encourage him? [Kids respond.] Those are all good answers. God [point
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Spring Quarter
© 2008 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teacher’s Guidebook / Lesson 11
UNIT 4:
The Church
Grows
up] wants us [hold arms out] to encourage others [give a high five]. I think we’ve got time
for one more island!
[SFX 43: Sailing music.]
[“Sail” the ship again. As the music ends, the ship should land on the boy playing alone picture.]
TEACHER:
It’s a picture of a boy playing by himself. Maybe he just moved here from a different town,
and he doesn’t have any friends. What can we do to encourage him? [Kids respond.] Those
are all good ideas. God [point up] wants us [hold arms out] to encourage others [give a
high five]. Great job, pirates, I’m so happy we can encourage others. Let’s stand and sing.
Song suggestion: “The Happy Dance”
MUSIC
Lesson 11 LG 9
[Invite kids to sit down in a circle.]
ACTIVITY #2
TEACHER:
Let’s play a game to practice different ways we can encourage other people. [Take small
box with Encouragement Cards out of the Treasure Chest.] I will call on one person at a time
to pick something out of the chest. Then we will get to listen to a story and answer a special
questions.
[Choose one child at a time to reach inside and pull out a picture. Read the corresponding story
and questions from the list below. Repeat until every child has had a turn.]
GRANDMA.
Lesson 11 SG 10
(1 of 8)
This is a grandma. Some grandmas feel lonely, because they live all by themselves. What could you do to encourage them? [Make them a card, tell them
a Bible story, visit them, etc.]
SICK CHILD IN BED.
This child is very sick and cannot get out of bed. She can’t go to preschool,
and she can’t play. What could you do to encourage her?” [Pray with her to
get better, go to her house and talk to her, draw her a picture, etc.]
CHILD IN AFRICA.
This child lives in Africa. She only has a few clothes to wear, no food to eat,
and no home to live in because she is very poor. Her favorite thing to do is
to go to school and learn. What could you do to encourage her?” [Send her
clothes, give her money, tell her about Jesus, give her school supplies, etc.]
SAD BOY PLAYING BALL.
Lesson 11 SG 11
(2 of 8)
7
Spring Quarter
This boy played in a ball game. He did not do well and struck out. Everyone
was mad at him. What could you do to encourage him? [Tell him, “Way to
go for trying,” tell him Jesus loves him, play baseball with him at home so he
could practice, etc.]
© 2008 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teacher’s Guidebook / Lesson 11
UNIT 4:
The Church
Grows
GARBAGE MAN.
This is the garbage man. Everyday he picks up smelly, stinky garbage. What
could you do to encourage him? [Tell him “thank you,” smile at him, etc.]
LONELY CHILD.
This child has no friends because she just moved to your neighborhood.
What could you do to encourage her? [Play with her, invite her over to your
house, introduce her to your friends, invite her to church, etc.]
CHILD WITH BROKEN TOY.
This girl feels really bad because she broke your toy by mistake. She started
to cry, because she felt so bad. What could you do to encourage her? [Hug
her, tell her it’s okay, keep playing with her, etc.]
MOM AND DAD.
Lesson 11 SG 12
(3 of 8)
Mom and Dad do a lot of things for you. What could you do to encourage
them? [Help them with chores, tell them you love them, tell them Jesus loves
them, hug them, etc.]
TEACHER:
Today we heard the Bible story about Barnabas, and how he encouraged others. We learned
God wants us to encourage others. What are our special words? God [point up] wants us
[hold arms out] to encourage others [give a high five]. Let’s pray to God and ask Him to
help us encourage others.
[Lead the children in the following finger play. Then have the children repeat after you as
you pray.]
Lesson 11 SG 13
(4 of 8)
Open them. [Open hands.] Close them. [Close hands.]
Open them. [Open hands.] Close them. [Close hands.]
Give a little clap. [Clap hands.]
Open them. [Open hands.] Close them. [Close hands.]
Open them. [Open hands.] Close them. [Close hands.]
Fold them in your lap. [Fold hands in lap.]
Dear God,
Thank You for our Bible story.
Please help us encourage others.
Thank You for our snack.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Lesson 11 SG 14
(5 of 8)
8
Spring Quarter
© 2008 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teacher’s Guidebook / Lesson 11
UNIT 4:
The Church
Grows
cou
ra g e o t h e
rs
(10 MINUTES)
Use this time to continue building community and to learn more about your kids and their
concerns. Listen closely so you are better equipped to pray for and reach out to each child.
ants us
dw
to
Go
en
Snack and Coloring Activity
.
Lesson 11 SG 18
GIVE each child a snack to eat.
GIVE each child a Key Concept sticker to put on their shirt while they are eating their snack.
GIVE each child a coloring sheet to color while they are waiting to be picked up.
ASK each child a question or two about themselves:
• What are you going to do to encourage someone this week?
God wants us
to encourage others.
Barnabus Encourages Others (Acts 4:36-37, 9:27-15:39)
Lesson 11 SG 19
9
Spring Quarter
© 2008 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teacher’s Guidebook / Lesson 11