Creative activities and ideas based on the biblical figure of Barnabas (co-worker Paul)

Barnabas was a companion and fellow missionary of the apostle Paul. He was a Levite from the island of Cyprus and his given name was Joseph. However, he was later given the nickname "Barnabas" which means "son of encouragement". He played a significant role in the early church, particularly in the spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles. Barnabas is credited with helping to recruit Paul as a fellow worker and with accompanying him on his first missionary journey. Although Barnabas is not mentioned as frequently in the New Testament as some of the other apostles, his impact on the early church was profound.

We have compiled a range of creative ideas and activities below that relate to this Biblical person. These resources are designed to help you teach important life lessons in an engaging and interactive way, whether you are a children's ministry leader, a Sunday school teacher, or a religious educator in a Christian primary school.

Our activities below are suitable for use in various settings such as church children's programs, children's ministry, catechism classes, children's services, Bible clubs, vacation Bible school, and Sunday school, and will help students understand the relevance of the Bible to their lives, and the importance of applying its teachings in practical ways.