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Many teachers have found the reflective style of storytelling that has been developed within Godly Play to be a very helpful and effective way of opening up the Bible with children. For similar stories told in this style see Bible Storybags.
Barnabas is a fascinating character from the story of the first years of the Christian Church. You can read about him in Acts 4:32-37; Acts 11:9-30 and 12:25; and Acts 13-15. Although we don’t hear of Barnabas doing great miracles or giving powerful sermons, he nevertheless remains one of the most important figures of this period, because of his generous spirit, his daring welcome of the convert Saul and his loyal nurture of his young cousin John Mark. The church remembers this saint on 11. His encouraging nature and his concern for the young was of course the inspiration behind choosing his name for the churches and schools' ministry and publishing wing of BRF.
For more ideas see: Stories of Everyday Saints and Footsteps to the Feast.
Spend time with the Bible story by presenting it, using three-dimensional materials.
1. Gather the class in a semicircle, using a back row of benches or chairs if necessary so that all the children can see the following presentation of the story clearly.
2. Tell the story using some carefully chosen items. You will also need the following items (try to find the most beautiful and attractive examples you can for each of these):
Carefully place all these items into the box or on to the tray in reverse order, ending with the felts. Tell the story simply, using the words below and focusing on the story rather than the children. Put down the felts first from right to left (from your perspective) and place the items slowly on them as indicated, from right to left so that children 'read' the story from their left to their right. The items should all be of about the same size.
When you have finished telling the story, leave a short space and then use the wondering questions written out for you at the end of the piece.
Here is the story to tell:
In the beginning there was a baby. His parents called him Joseph.
Blue cloth: outline shape of Cyprus in a coppery felt and some sea shells
Joseph was born on the island of copper. Today we call it Cyprus. He was one of the people of God from a family who used to be priests and musicians. In the past they had led the worship in the great temple in Jerusalem. Joseph grew up to love God and to love others as his neighbours.
Brown cloth: a wooden model of the great gate at Jerusalem
Every year Joseph and his family would travel to Jerusalem to celebrate the high and holy festivals. Once at the great harvest feast of Pentecost, Joseph was among the crowds on the streets. He was there when the friends of Jesus rushed out like a whirlwind, on fire to tell everyone about Jesus.
'Jesus is God's chosen Messiah,' they said. 'He came and he went but now he has come again and offers everyone and new start.'
Joseph listened and he, too, believed in Jesus. He received the gift of the Holy Spirit so that he was now part of the people of God in a new Easter sort of way.
Red cloth: a small Bible, a small paten (communion plate) and a chalice, praying hands and a candle
Joseph stayed on in Jerusalem. He learned about the story of Jesus from the Apostles.
He joined them in the prayers.
He came close to Jesus and Jesus came close to him as Joseph broke and ate the bread with the others.
He worshipped at the temple and in people's homes.
He grew in faith and goodness.
Purple cloth: a bag of money (on one side), stones (on the other side) and two figures for Saul and Barnabas (in the middle)
Now the number of those who believed in Jesus was growing. Joseph helped to care for them, especially those who were poor. He sold some land that belonged to him on Cyprus and he gave the money to those who were in need. Joseph was always generous and he earned a special nickname. The apostles called him Barnabas, which means 'the encourager'.
Barnabas, the encourager, was full of the Holy Spirit. He saw how the disciples had changed. People knew the disciples had been with Jesus. Some of the religious leaders tried to stop the disciples talking about Jesus. They were threatened and some were even killed, but the others went on telling everyone that Jesus was God and that because of Jesus, God can live in people by his Holy Spirit. Barnabas, whose family had served in the old temple, was now himself part of the new temple of God, because the Holy Spirit lived in him.
Amazing things were happening. From Damascus came strange news. Saul, who once had vowed to kill all who followed the way of Jesus, had himself become a follower of the Way. Some people were suspicious of Saul. But when he came secretly to Jerusalem, it was Barnabas who believed him and went out to meet him. He believed that God's love was so great that it can make even enemies into friends. He welcomed Saul like a brother and encouraged the others to do the same.
Green cloth: five wooden figures and a ‘make poverty history’ band
Some years later Barnabas was sent to a place called Antioch in Syria to see how God was a blessing not just Jews but anyone who called on the name of Jesus. Barnabas recognised the grace of God at work and stayed to encourage the new believers in the faith. He also went and fetched Saul to be their teacher, and together they encouraged them to keep on believing in Jesus. It was here that people first called the followers of Jesus Christians. Barnabas helped these Christians to organise a collection for the poor back in Jerusalem.
The Church leaders in Antioch prayed and one day they knew that the Holy Spirit wanted Saul and Barnabas to travel to other places with the story of Jesus. They blessed them and sent them on their way.
Dark blue cloth: a wooden sailing boat
Saul and Barnabas set sail for Cyprus because Barnabas longed to tell the people back home all that had happened to him. Later they sailed on to Turkey, where they explained to anyone who would listen that Jesus was God and that, because of Jesus, God can live in people by his Holy Spirit. Some refused to listen. Others got angry and chased them away. But many did believe and new groups of Christians began meeting in many towns.
White cloth: second wooden figure for Barnabas and a smaller teenager figure
Barnabas was always encouraging other people and especially new believers. On their first journey, Saul and Barnabas had taken with them a young man called John Mark, but Mark had gone home early. Saul thought that he had given up too easily. When they set off on another journey, he did not want to take Mark again. Barnabas could not discourage Mark in this way and so decided instead not to go with Saul. Barnabas took Mark back to Cyprus. They spent their time encouraging the new churches there.
I like to think of Barnabas going on encouraging Mark, so much so that one day, Mark himself became a great leader and even a writer. He became someone useful to God all because of Barnabas the encourager.
Wondering questions
I wonder what you like best about this story?
I wonder what you think is the most important part?
I wonder which part of this story is about you? Where are you in this story?
I wonder if there is any part of this story we could leave out and still have all the story we need?
