Changing Roles

Pete Kersker - Sep 09, 2026

Barnabas brought Saul to the church in Jerusalem and, later, to Antioch. They spent a year together building up the church in Antioch of Syria before the Holy Spirit led them to travel and reach more cities with the gospel. On that trip, Saul became Paul and Barnabas let Paul take the lead.

Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches (Acts 15:39b-41 NIV).

Now, they are going to go separate ways. Barnabas returns to his home island of Cyprus, bringing John Mark as his protege. Paul travels to the mainland towns they had reached, taking Silas as his companion.

Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him (Acts 16:1-2 NIV).

It is at this time that Paul takes another significant step forward in his spiritual growth and leadership. Paul becomes a mentor. Timothy is a young man who was raised to walk with the LORD. Now, he will learn how to spread the good news (gospel) about Jesus from his new mentor: Paul.

Paul wanted to take him along on the journey... (Acts 16:3 NIV).

Can you map out significant milestones in your spiritual growth?
Do you mentor younger people in the faith? How did that begin?