Ages 7+·5 min read·New Testament·By Faithful Kids Team·Updated April 16, 2026
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Barnabas the Encourager
Series: Early Church (Episode 09 of 10) | Scripture: Acts | Ages 7+
Barnabas the Encourager is a Bible story from Acts in the New Testament. This retelling is designed for kids ages 5 and up, using simple language they can understand and lessons they will remember.
What Is the Story of Barnabas the Encourager for Kids?
THE EARLY CHURCH — EPISODE 9: BARNABAS THE ENCOURAGER Based on Acts 4:36-37, 9:26-27, 11:22-26 Series: The Early Church | Episode 9 of 10 Target audience: Kids ages 7-15
Today I want to tell you about someone who doesn't always make the highlight reel. But without this man, the story of my church would look completely different.
His name was Joseph — but everyone called him Barnabas. The apostles gave him that nickname. It means "Son of Encouragement." He was SO encouraging that people literally renamed him for it.
First time we see Barnabas, the church is brand new. Barnabas owned a field — and he sold it. Brought every penny and laid it at the apostles' feet. No fanfare. Just quiet, radical generosity.
This story comes from Acts and is part of the New Testament.
What Does the Story of Barnabas the Encourager Teach Children?
The story of Barnabas the Encourager teaches children important lessons about community, courage, sharing faith, miracles:
This story teaches children about community in a way they can understand
God's love and faithfulness are visible throughout this story
Every Bible story connects to the bigger picture of God's plan for the world
Key Bible Verse
"He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith." — Acts 11:24
We drew a printable Daniel in the lions' den coloring page to go with this story — free, and the printed sheet includes the answer to where it came from.
Parent's Guide: Why This Story Matters
Every Bible story is an opportunity to talk with your child about faith in a natural, low-pressure way. After watching, ask an open-ended question like 'What was your favorite part?' or 'What do you think God was trying to teach us?' These conversations do not need to be long or perfect. The goal is simply to make the Bible feel like a living, relevant part of your family's life, not something dusty on a shelf.
Quiz: Test What Your Child Learned
After watching the video, see if your child can answer these questions:
What does the name "Barnabas" mean?
Barnabas's real name was Joseph, but the apostles nicknamed him "Barnabas," which means "Son of Encouragement." He was so consistently uplifting and supportive that encouragement literally became his identity.
What did Barnabas do when the other believers were afraid of the newly converted Saul?
When every believer in Jerusalem was terrified of Saul and refused to go near him, Barnabas stepped up. He took Saul to the apostles, told them about his conversion, and convinced them he was genuine. Without this one act of courage and encouragement, Paul might never have been accepted into the church.
What did Barnabas do when he was sent to the growing church in Antioch?
Barnabas saw what God was doing in Antioch and encouraged the believers to remain faithful. Then he traveled to find Saul and brought him back to help teach and mentor the church for an entire year. Barnabas always saw potential in people and pulled them into the mission.
Discussion Questions for Families
Use these questions at the dinner table or during bedtime:
What was your favorite part of the story of Barnabas the Encourager?
What do you think God was teaching us through this story?
How can we be more like Barnabas in our own lives?
If you were in this story, what would you have done differently?
What does this story teach us about trusting God?
More Episodes in the Early Church Series
This story is episode 09 of 10 in the Early Church series:
Faithful Kids has 300+ Bible story videos covering the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Every story is a short video lesson, designed for kids Ages 7+, with a quiz after each lesson. No ads, ever.
What is the story of Barnabas the Encourager about for kids?
Barnabas the Encourager is a story from Acts. THE EARLY CHURCH — EPISODE 9: BARNABAS THE ENCOURAGER Based on Acts 4:36-37, 9:26-27, 11:22-26 Series: The Early Church | Episode 9 of 10 Target audience: Kids ages 7-15
What age is the story of Barnabas the Encourager appropriate for?
This retelling of Barnabas the Encourager is designed for children Ages 7+. The language is simple and age-appropriate, and the video is just a few minutes long, perfect for young attention spans.
Where is Barnabas the Encourager found in the Bible?
Barnabas the Encourager is found in Acts in the New Testament. It is part of the Early Church series on Faithful Kids.
Is there a video of Barnabas the Encourager for kids?
Yes. Faithful Kids has a short video retelling of Barnabas the Encourager designed for children, with narration, visuals, and a comprehension quiz. Watch it here.
How can I use Barnabas the Encourager for Sunday School or homeschool?
Play the short Faithful Kids video as an introduction, then use the discussion questions above for group conversation. The built-in quiz checks comprehension. Many Sunday school teachers and homeschool parents use Faithful Kids as weekly curriculum.
What does Barnabas the Encourager teach kids?
The story of Barnabas the Encourager teaches children about community, courage, sharing faith, miracles. This story teaches children about community in a way they can understand.
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