The Church sends Paul and Barnabas

Acts 13:1-12

That the children know that God calls some people to be missionaries.

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19, NIV*).

The world of elementary children is expanding beyond their home through school, their friends, sports, etc. As they discover the needs of others, they will learn to respond to those needs according to the will of God.

This lesson will help them understand that all Christians have the mission to communicate the love of Christ to our neighbors, but also that God calls some people for a specific task. He calls them through the Holy Spirit to take the gospel to other countries and cultures. We know these Christians as missionaries. Although we must all communicate the love of God, the call of missionaries implies leaving their homes and taking the good news of salvation to other cultures and places of the world.

Read Acts 13:1-12. The Holy Spirit called Paul and Barnabas for a special mission, a new stage in evangelism. And the Church confirmed the call through fasting, prayer and the laying on of hands. The Holy Spirit and the Church worked together to set them apart as leaders of the Church.

God made the call, but he wanted the Church to support and send them. Therefore, the Church sent Paul and Barnabas to fulfill the mission entrusted by the Holy Spirit.

When Paul and Barnabas crossed the sea to the island of Paphos, they faced their first opposition to the gospel of Christ. Verses 6-12 tell us that the proconsul invited Paul and Barnabas to hear Jesus’ message first-hand.

But Barjesus, who was a magician and false prophet, wanted to keep the proconsul from the faith. Paul filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his eyes on him and said, “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.” He was instantly blind and needed someone to guide him.

The Bible tells us that when the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, marveling at the gospel of Jesus. The power of the Holy Spirit was manifested to witness about Jesus Christ and his love.

This was the first of many of Paul’s missionary journeys. The key to his ministry with Barnabas was the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In addition, they were faithful and obedient to the holy calling of God.

Missionary trips

Look in newspapers or magazines for some travel illustrations (for example, suitcases, boats, airplanes, cars, etc.).

Place the clippings on a table, along with a poster board and glue. Allow time for your children to make a poster related to travel. Talk to them as they work, and ask them how people prepare for a trip. Explain that in today’s story they will talk about a mission trip.

The church sends Paul and Barnabas

The leaders of the Antioch Church were praying and fasting. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit told them, “Separate Paul and Barnabas to do the work to which I have called them.”

For many years, Paul and Barnabas had been witnesses of Jesus, speaking to many people about him. But now they would be missionaries. Missionaries are witnesses of Christ who go to other cultures or countries to preach the good news of God’s love.

The leaders of the Antioch Church prayed and sent them to fulfill the mission that God had assigned them.

The Holy Spirit led Paul and Barnabas to Seleucia, and from there they went by ship to Cyprus.

Upon arriving in Salamis, the new missionaries preached in the Jewish synagogues. Then they crossed the whole island, preaching in each city. After a while, they came to Paphos, on the other side of the island, where the governor of Cyprus lived.

“Bring Paul and Barnabas to me,” the governor ordered. “I want to hear the Word of God.”

When the missionaries arrived to meet the governor, there was Elymas, a wicked magician who did not want the governor to believe in the teachings of God.

When Paul saw what the evil man was doing, he said, “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”

At that moment Elymas shouted, “I cannot see!” and staggered away, looking for someone to guide him.

The governor was amazed at what God had done and by Paul’s teachings. So he believed in Jesus and became a Christian.

The call of God

Pass out Student Activity Sheet #182-A and #182-B. Then, ask the children to cut out the strip with illustrations on the right side of Student Activity Sheet 182-A. Give them time to cut out the figures and paste them into the scenes, according to the order of the biblical story.

Then, have them go to Student Activity Sheet 182-B and complete the crossword puzzle using the words listed beside the puzzle. Help them if they have difficulty filling in the blanks.