Paul and Barnabas in Cyprus - A Journey of Faith and Challenge

Hey there, fellow treasure hunters! I'm Tammy Becker, founder of You Ministries and your friend on this incredible journey through Scripture. Welcome to episode 41 of our treasure hunt, where we're following Jesus' story chronologically over 52 weeks through riddles, clues, and creative journaling with our free digital sticker pages.

Don't forget to grab your weekly pages from the link in our description and join our classroom at youministries.com for prizes and extra treasures! Hit that subscribe button and notification bell so you never miss a clue.

This Week's Treasure Hunt

Our riddle points us to an amazing story of courage and faith:

Across the sea, a mission borne,
Who turns the dark, where light is sworn?

Key Scripture: Acts 13:1-12** tells us about Paul and Barnabas' bold mission to Cyprus, where they faced spiritual opposition but remained steadfast in spreading God's truth.

Three Powerful Lessons from Cyprus

1. Being Led by the Holy Spirit
Paul and Barnabas didn't just decide on their own to go to Cyprus. The Holy Spirit sent them after prayer and fasting. This teaches us:
Seek spiritual discernment: before big decisions

Make prayer your foundation: for guidance
Obey actively: when God calls
Trust in Spirit-led missions: over personal ambition
Rely on the Spirit: for daily strength

2. Overcoming Opposition in Faith
When they met Elymas, a false prophet trying to stop their work, Paul boldly confronted the deception. We learn:
Expect spiritual opposition: when sharing truth

Confront deception with courage
Trust in the gospel's power to prevail
Take action: despite challenges
Rely on God's strength, not our own

3. The Power of Perseverance
Their journey wasn't easy, but they stayed faithful to their mission. This shows us:

Endure hardship, as part of God's calling
Stay focused on the mission despite distractions
Find strength in weakness, through God's power
Remain faithful, to the end
Trust God's plan, even through setbacks

Reflection Questions

- How do you seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in important decisions?
- How do you handle spiritual opposition or challenges to your faith?
- What challenges are you facing, and how can Paul and Barnabas' example encourage you?

Your Challenge This Week
Just like Paul and Barnabas, we're called to be bold in our faith. Take time this week to:
- Pray for guidance in a current challenge
- Stand firm when your faith is questioned
- Trust that God's strength is perfect in your weakness

Remember, when we're faithful to God's calling, His truth always prevails!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us be bold like Paul and Barnabas, trusting in Your Holy Spirit to guide us through every challenge. May we remain steadfast in sharing Your truth, even when facing opposition. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Join us in our private classroom at youministries.com for more treasures, prizes, and surprises! The adventure continues next week with another exciting clue to solve together.

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Ready for more treasure hunting? Don't miss next week's episode where we'll uncover another amazing piece of Jesus' story!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iinUtxc83vQ