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You couldn't have blamed Paul and Barnabas if they'd resolved never to return to three cities: Antioch, where they'd been run out of town Acts 13:50); Iconium, where they were forced to flee for their lives 14:5-6); and Lystra, where Paul was stoned and left for dead 14:19). Instead, they were determined to return in order to encourage the new converts they'd made there.

Acts 14:21-23

1. Why do you think Paul and Barnabas risked their lives to make return visits to the believers in the cities where they'd recently been threatened and physically attacked?
2. How would you encourage new believers to "continue in the faith"?
3. How could advance warning to believers about the "many tribulations" they should expect to encounter be considered encouragement?
4. Were Paul and Barnabas content to let these converts remain loosely knit groups?
5. How was helping the believers get organized, with spiritual leaders who could help them grow, a form of encouragement?
6. Would you be encouraged to have a Christian leader pray with you and turn you over "to the care of the Lord"?

Ask God to enable you, in spite of inconvenience or discomfort, to rise to the responsibility of encouraging younger believers.

21 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. 23 Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

Copyright © 2007 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 be a true encourager to someone around me who needs a lift.

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