📖 From the Bible
Saul came to Jerusalem and wanted to join Jesus’ followers. Everyone was afraid of him. They didn’t believe he had really changed. But Barnabas trusted him. He took Saul to the followers and told them how Saul had met Jesus and spoken about Him bravely.
26When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.
This is how we tell this passage to kids. The exact words of the Bible are under “As it is in the Bible”.
Acts 9:26-27 · Scripture: World English Bible Updated (public domain)
A new class. Everybody already knows each other, and you’re standing off to the side, not sure where to sit. Now add one more thing: people remember what you did before, and they’re afraid of you. That’s what Saul’s first day with Jesus’ friends looked like.
Saul had once hurt many people who followed Jesus. He even sent them to jail. Then he met Jesus, and everything changed. He started telling everyone that Jesus is the Son of God. His old friends got really angry. He had to run away. His new friends lowered him in a basket over the city wall in the middle of the night. Pretty wild escape, huh?
Saul made it to Jerusalem and wanted to join Jesus’ followers there. But they were afraid of him. They didn’t believe he had really changed. They remembered what he had done before. They had good reasons to be scared. Maybe he’s pretending, they thought. Saul stood alone and waited. That must have felt so lonely.
Then a man named Barnabas showed up. He took Saul to Jesus’ closest followers. He told them how Saul had met Jesus, and how bravely he had spoken about Him in a city called Damascus. Barnabas didn’t look at who Saul used to be. He looked at who Saul had become. Because of him, the followers welcomed Saul. They stopped being afraid. Saul wasn’t alone anymore. He stayed with them in Jerusalem. Everybody deserves a second chance, and sometimes it only takes one person to give it.
Did you know?
Barnabas was a nickname. It means a person who gives others courage. It fit him perfectly. And Barnabas trusted Saul more than once. A few years later, he went to look for Saul himself and took him to work in a new city. Saul is the same man we later know as Paul.
Look at Jesus
It was Jesus who changed Saul. And that’s what Jesus does: He forgives and gives people a fresh start. He said He came “to seek and to save that which was lost.” Jesus gives everybody a fresh start. When you give someone a second chance, you’re doing what Jesus did for Saul, and for you.
What about you?
Maybe there’s someone in your class who once did something silly. Maybe they blurted out a secret, or made fun of somebody. Now they’re trying to change, but people keep remembering the same thing. You can be like Barnabas. Sit next to them, or invite them to a game. You don’t have to become their best friend right away. One chance is enough. And if you’re the new one in a group, look around. Maybe someone is already waiting to be your Barnabas.
Let’s talk about it
- Who in your class or on your team could use a second chance?
- How does someone feel when everybody leaves them out?
- Who gave you a second chance once? What was it like?
Today’s challenge
Today, start talking with someone who usually stands off to the side. Ask something simple, like what game they like best.
Prayer
Jesus, thank You that You give me a fresh start when I mess up. Help me give other people a second chance, and notice those who are alone. Amen.
Tap when you have prayed.