Not Gods—Just Guys With Good News – May 26, 2025

Read: Acts 14:8-22

In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.
Acts 14:8-12,14,15

Not Gods—Just Guys With Good News

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Have you ever seen someone do something so amazing, people freak out a little? Maybe someone made a full-court basketball shot or landed a skateboard trick that seemed impossible. Now imagine seeing a man who had never walked in his whole life suddenly jump up and walk because someone told him to. That’s what happened when Paul saw that the man had faith to be healed and shouted, “Stand up on your feet!” The man didn’t just stand—he leaped!

The crowd went wild. But they got the wrong idea. They thought Paul and Barnabas were gods—Zeus and Hermes! That’s like someone seeing a teacher do a science experiment and shouting, “She must be Wonder Woman!” It wasn’t true, and it wasn’t okay. So, Paul and Barnabas tore their clothes (an old way of saying “Stop! This is very wrong!”) and yelled, “We’re just humans like you!” Think of Incredible Hulk-level frustration—except without turning green.

Paul pointed them to the real God, the one who made the world, sends the rain, and gives us joy. But not everyone liked that message. People threw stones at Paul and left him for dead. But guess what? He got up, went back to the city, and kept sharing the good news. He didn’t give up!

Remember this: God can use ordinary people to do extraordinary things—not to make them famous, but to point others to Jesus—not with lightning bolts or superpowers, but with love, truth, and courage.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, sometimes people believe the wrong things. Help us be brave like Paul and Barnabas—to tell others about you, even when it’s hard. When we feel like giving up, remind us you’re with us. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• People praised Paul and Barnabas. What would you do if someone praised you a little too much?
• Who did the people think Paul and Barnabas were? Were they right?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why do you think Paul and Barnabas were so quick to stop the people from treating them like gods?
• Can you think of something you’re good at or proud of and how you can use it to point people to God instead of yourself? What might that look like at school or with friends?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Can you think of a time when people didn’t want to hear the truth about God?
• What do you admire most about Paul and Barnabas in this story? Paul and Barnabas told people about Jesus, but the people got so angry they tried to hurt them. Can you think of a time today when someone is made fun of or treated badly for talking about Jesus?