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Paul and Barnabas's trip centered on evangelistic campaigns in Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, and Lystra. In each city they won a following (Acts 13:13-14:20) but were eventually run out of town! Their risky return trip to consolidate the gains for the gospel with these new converts demonstrates how godly leadership is exercised.

Acts 14:21-23

1. How did Paul and Barnabas go about strengthening the new believers?
2. Preparing believers to face persecution doesn't sound like encouragement. Why was it an essential component of strengthening them?
3. What initiative did Paul and Barnabas take to move these infant churches beyond loosely knit groups of believers?
4. How did they demonstrate confidence in, and support for, the new leadership they had put in place?
5. Have you been approached to provide leadership in your church?
6. Have you humbly accepted this responsibility?
7. Has your reading this week provided any fresh insights on the role of a leader?

Ask God to guide and use the pastoral and lay leadership in your church for His glory.

21 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned again to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that they must enter into the Kingdom of God through many tribulations. 23 Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church and prayed for them with fasting, turning them over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had come to trust.

Copyright © 2005 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Lord, help me to promote a shared vision and mesh my energies with those of others to achieve it.

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