This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in Acts 11:19-30, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Some people were being chased and hurt because they believed in Jesus. They had to run away from their homes and go to different places. Some of them went to a city called Antioch, where they only talked to other people who believed in God like them. But then some brave men came to Antioch and told everyone, even people who didn’t believe in God, about Jesus. The people who heard them felt very happy and wanted to learn more about Jesus.
Some other people heard about what was happening in Antioch and told a man named Barnabas who lived in another city. Barnabas was so happy to hear about all the people who were learning about Jesus that he went to Antioch to see for himself. When he got there, he saw that many people had started to believe in Jesus and were following him.
Barnabas was very wise and wanted to help the people in Antioch stay strong in their faith. He told them to keep believing in Jesus and to always do the right thing. Barnabas was also a good friend and wanted to bring another wise man named Saul to help teach the people. Together, Barnabas and Saul taught the people in Antioch about Jesus for a whole year. And that’s when the disciples of Jesus were first called “Christians.”
One day, some prophets came to Antioch and one of them, named Agabus, told everyone that there was going to be a big problem with not having enough food to eat. The people in Antioch wanted to help others who might be affected by the problem, so they gave money to help. Barnabas and Saul took the money and went to another city called Judea to give it to people there who needed it.
Biblical Lessons
- Even when things are hard, we should keep believing in Jesus and tell others about him.
- Helping others is important, and we should give what we can to those who need it.
- Christians should take care of each other and help those in need.
Related Stories
Peter’s Miraculous Escape from Prison
Must-Read Christian Books
Mere Christianity
Lewis lays out the core beliefs of the Christian faith with clarity, logic, and imagination, rooted in Scripture.
View on Amazon
Holiness
A rich, pastoral treatment of sin, sanctification, and the fight for holiness in the Christian life, deeply rooted in Scripture.
View on Amazon
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
Practical, biblical guidance on disciplines like prayer, Bible intake, worship, and fasting to grow in godliness.
View on Amazon
Systematic Theology
A classic Reformed theology text, rich in biblical exegesis and doctrinal clarity.
View on Amazon
A Call to Spiritual Reformation
Walks through Paul's prayers to teach believers how to pray biblically and God-centeredly.
View on Amazon
The Discipline of Grace
Shows how God's grace and our disciplined effort work together in sanctification.
View on Amazon
Overcoming Sin and Temptation
A classic Puritan work on mortifying sin and living in the power of the Spirit.
View on Amazon
God's Big Picture
Traces the storyline of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in a clear, Christ-centered way.
View on Amazon
The Attributes of God
Devotional meditations on God's character that stir reverence and worship.
View on Amazon
A Body of Divinity
A warm, devotional exposition of the Westminster Shorter Catechism's doctrines.
View on Amazon
The Hospitality Commands
Shows from Scripture how vital hospitality is to Christian obedience and fellowship.
View on Amazon
Total Truth
Equips believers to see all of life through a biblical worldview and challenge secular thinking.
View on Amazon
The Universe Next Door
Surveys competing worldviews and contrasts them with the Christian view of reality.
View on Amazon
Christ of the Covenants
Explains the biblical covenants and how they reveal Christ and God's plan of redemption.
View on Amazon
Operation World
A prayer handbook with up-to-date information on nations and their gospel needs.
View on Amazon
Idols of the Heart
Helps believers identify and repent of heart-idols through the lens of Scripture.
View on Amazon
This Momentary Marriage
Shows how marriage is designed to display the covenant love of Christ and His church.
View on Amazon