Barnabas – How He Encouraged Others (part II)

Thus far we have discovered that Barnabas practiced the actions of encouragement by:

1. Adjusting his attitudes and thoughts so as to EXHIBIT the characteristics of an encourager.
2. Practicing the activities and actions which showed him to be an EXAMPLE of one who encouraged others.
3. Using EXPRESSIONS which would prove his desire to encourage. 

We continue to look at how Barnabas extended encouragement to those in need of it by seeing:

1. How he used verbal EXPLANATIONS.  At times discouragement is based upon misunderstanding or ignorance.  Barnabas knew that extending encouragement at times involved delivering of correct information.   There were other times when he used more personal explanations to lift up those needing strength.  It is here that we will identify the difference between praise and encouragement.  While both are Biblical and needful they are not the same thing.
2. Barnabas also engaged in vital EXALTATION of those downtrodden and needing uplift.  Paul had lost confidence in John Mark.  Yet, Barnabas saw John’s great need for encouragement and exalted that need higher than did Paul.

To begin this lesson click on the play button below.