Barnabus: The Testimony of an Encourager

October 11, 2012 kensapp Leave a comment

All of us have been afraid to witness (or to share our testimony) at one time or another. But a testimony, or witnessing is simply sharing about something that has happened to you. Use this high energy youth group game to clarify some of the misconceptions youth have about sharing their faith as well as learn the importance one’s lifestyle and speech also play in sharing the gospel message with others.

Materials

A chair for each youth.

Preparation

Arrange the chairs into a large circle with the chairs facing inward. There should be one less chair than the number of people so that if all the youth take a seat, one will be left standing.

What to Do

Play a variation of the game “I never.” All the youth are in a circle in chairs. One of the youth group members, is “it”, and in the center of the circle. The person in the center says something they have never done. Anyone who has done that must exchange chairs. They cannot sit back in the same chair. While they are exchanging chairs the person in the center tries to grab an empty seat. Have the new person that ends up in the center tell a little about what it is he/ she did. After several rounds, say that you have one more that you would like them to respond to. Say, “I’m Barnabus and I’m not afraid to witness for Christ.” Anyone who has been afraid of witnessing should change chairs. All will probably change chairs. You might, depending on who gets left in the middle, have the person left tell about one time they were afraid to witness or to just give their testimony.

Take It to the Next Level

Tell them that all of us have been afraid to witness at one time or another. To witness means to testify, it is just sharing about something that has happened to you. Hopefully we can clarify some of the misconceptions about sharing your faith as well as learn some effective ways to share your faith.

Make it Spiritual

Barnabas is not only a man of good character, but also one that was used by God. He is the only person in the book of Acts referred to as a “good man”. But he isn’t just a good man, he also is one who was “full of the Spirit”. His real name was Joseph, but he had the nickname Barnabas or “Son of Encouragement” Because of his personal character and his closeness to God, he was used by God to share the Gospel with a great number of people. They not only came to a saving knowledge of Christ, but they also reflected his Christlike lifestyle, so much so that they eventual came to be called “Christians.”

There are three characteristics of Barnabus that stand out in these passages about him: He was an encourager, he was a good man, and he was full of the Holy Spirit. In other words, he had a close relationship with God and that relationship with God was both reflected in his words (encourager) and his actions) a good man.

Our testimony for Christ is more than just our personal faith. It is also how we live our lives based on that faith. Both our lifestyle the way we treat others (as an encourager) is a testimony as well. We need both the Christian character as well as the Christian message. A famous quote says “What you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you say.” But when what we do and what we say are in agreement, our Christian testimony is all the more powerful.

Make it Practical

What are some of the characteristics of an encourager?
What are some examples of words of encouragement?
What are the characteristics of a good man?
What are some examples of a Christlike lifestyle?
What is a testimony? What are the basics of an evangelistic testimony?

Make it Personal

What can you do to be an encourager of others this week?
What are some things you can do this week in serving and loving others such that they might recognise you also as a good man or good woman?
Choose someone to share your testimony with this week and make an appointment to meet with them to share it.

Scripture References

Colossians 4:10
“My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)”

Acts 4:32-37
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.cJoseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.”

Acts 9:26-27 (Background passage: Acts 9:26 – 15:39)
“When he [Paul] came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.”

Acts 11:22-26
“News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”

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Evangelism Ideas

Lessons for Evangelism of Youth: The Samaritan Woman

October 9, 2012 kensapp Leave a comment

The woman at the well is probably the most incisive of the New Testament narratives of Jesus’ dealing with the spiritually lost. It is found only in the fourth chapter of John’s gospel. From it we can learn many things about personal evangelism in general that can also be applied to our evangelism to youth.

The background for this passage involves the Lord Jesus Christ, leaving Judea and and traveling through Samaria to Galilee. As he travels through Samaria, He stops at the city of Sychar, near Jacobs well, to rest and eat. At noon, he waits beside the well for a divine appointment, as his disciples go into the city to buy food.

The Master’s Classroom

Interestingly, John records that Jesus “had” to pass through Samaria. It was not an accident that Jesus went through Samaria. “There were several roads leading from Judea to Galilee: one near the sea coast, another through Perea, and one through Samaria.” ¹ The road through Samaria was the least traveled, yet it was the road Christ “had” to travel. What the disciples saw as an uncomfortable trip, through a land of people against whom Jews had great prejudice, was actually a divine appointment. God will often put us in places of personal discomfort as a classroom for the greater teachings of the Kingdom of God. In this case He teaches the disciples that there is not room for barriers of any kind in the Kingdom of God. The gospel is a gospel for all people. Manmade barriers of prejudice, culture, and the lifestyles of people must not block the divine flow of the living water.

The Master’s Workshop

The Samaritan woman came to draw water–a common act, done in common way, but this time to have uncommon results. Unknown to her, she had an appointment with the Son of God. Jacob’s well became Christ’s workshop for the repair of her soul. We too need to discover the common activities of youth that can be used as platforms from which to lead lost youth to a saving knowledge of God. Any contact with a lost youth is an opportunity for sharing the gospel if we would only look. The most effective witnessing occurs in those natural situations where youth interact. A popular theology of today says “let me live a good life, and if you ask me about God, I will take you to church.” How long would Christ have had to sit at the well before the woman would have noticed his good life? Jesus took the initiative and so should we. Think of the opportunities we pass up daily. What opportunities are you passing up to reach out to youth?

The Master’s Methods

Get Acquainted

Jesus seeks to “draw” the woman into a conversation by asking her to “draw” Him a drink of water. She recognizes Him as merely a Jew and wonders about his request. ”‘Never speak to a woman in the street, even if she be thy wife’; ‘Burn the words of the law rather than teach them to a woman,’ were the great maxims in Jewish society.” ² Even so, Christ’s greatest concern was the condition of the woman’s soul. Because of this, he would reach out to her, even if it violated custom. Manmade barriers must not hinder the gospel. In the customs of the day there is another interesting meaning to Christ’s request for a drink. In the East, “the giving and receiving of a drink of water is the seeking and making of a covenant of hospitality, with all that that covenant implies… it is like the covenant of bread-sharing, which makes a truce, for the time being, between deadliest enemies.” ³ By asking for water, Christ was not only drawing the woman into conversation, but disarming any defense that she might put up concerning his identity as a Jew. He was showing an interest in her as an individual. “The woman, the Samaritan, the sinner, is placed over against the Rabbi, the ruler of the Jews, the Pharisee.” ⁴ Her birth, her sex, and her lifestyle were all barriers, but the gospel knows no barriers. The gospel sees only the need of the individual. We should also see the individual needs of our youth!

Arouse Interest

Christ offered the “gift” of living water to the Samaritan woman. Notice that the living water is a “gift” received by “asking.” The reason men do not ask, is because they do not know that it exists. ⁵ The Samaritan woman did not know the gift of God because her sight was focused on her earthly condition and her physical thirsts. Too often, people miss the spiritual because they are focused on the physical. Like Christ, we must use their physical needs and perceptions to lead lost youth to a knowledge of the spiritual.

The Samaritan woman then calls Christ “Sir.” She no longer sees Him as merely a Jew, but a Jew who deserves her respect. She still does not understand that Christ is speaking of the spiritual, but proceeds with a question about the method by which Jesus could obtain living water. “Jesus is speaking of the water of life; the woman is thinking of flowing water, so much more desirable than the flat water of cisterns.” ⁶ Jacob had to dig a well for water. Did Christ know a way of obtaining running water? “‘Canst thou do more than dig a well?’ was the meaning of the woman’s question to Jesus.” ⁷ Indeed He could! Abraham left them a well of stagnant water, but Jesus would give her a spring of living water. To the Samaritans, Abraham left a religion, but Jesus promised a growing relationship with God. Jesus “does not say He is greater than Jacob, but suggests that He has better water to give than that which was in Jacob’s well.” ⁸ The well of Jacob was so deep that it had already lasted 1500 years and was still being used. It still exists today, though much of it has been filled. How much deeper then is the love of God for this woman. (Ephesians 3:18-19)

The Samaritan Woman’s religion was only a dry well, but Christ offered a living relationship. The Samaritan woman “identified herself with a religion which,… instead of leading her to God, only supplied a substitute for Him.” ⁹ “The gift of God is not dry doctrine, but a living Being.” ¹⁰ Dry doctrine creates a thirst, but Christ quenches the thirst. Dry doctrine becomes foul and corrupt over time, but a relationship with Christ refreshes and takes away foulness and corruption. Dry doctrine is stagnant, but a relationship with Christ is active. Dry doctrine evaporates, but the living water is a spring to ourselves as well as to others. “Most men draw their supplies from without; they are rich, happy, and strong, only when externals minister to their strength, happiness, and riches.”¹¹ Christians draw their supplies from their relationship with God. From which do we drink? Do we drink from our religious practices and doctrines or do we continually seek refreshment from a vital relationship with the Savior. When we present the gospel to youth, do we present a religion and a system of beliefs or do we introduce the Savior?

Gently Confront Sin

When a river becomes obstructed the water stagnates and foul and decaying things are collected. One solution is to clear away the obstructions, but the same would only reoccur in a matter of time. The best solution is clear away the obstructions and then increase the water flow. When Jesus asks about her husband, He is seeking to clear away the obstructions. The woman says that she has no husband. “Instead of wringing the rest of the confession from the woman, Jesus makes it for her. It is a touch of His gentleness with the sinner.” ¹² “The conversation had passed from the small-talk to the personal.” ¹³ Notice that Christ made the most of an ignorant sinner’s words instead of attacking. We would be wise to do the same with youth. We must allow the confrontation of the sinner to be with Christ and the gospel, not anything else.

She then calls Jesus a prophet and sidesteps the conversation from herself to the location of worship. It is very natural for someone to cover their eyes when a bright light is flashed. It is natural for a person walking from darkness into the brilliant light of the Son of God to shade their eyes. The Samaritan woman was no different. Her pain is too great not to shade the eyes of her heart lest it be blinded. Yet Jesus is too compassionate to leave her in such a state. He answers her diversionary question then returns to crux of the conversation–the gospel.

Answer Legitimate Questions but Confront Sinners with who Christ is

Christ answers her question, but instead of giving her religion Christ confronts the woman with who He is and thus opens the door for a personal relationship. “‘Jesus’ words are, literally: ‘I am, who speak to you.'”¹⁴ Jesus is literally saying that He is God using a term the woman would be familiar with from Exodus 3:14. Notice the progressing realization of the woman concerning the identity of Christ. He first was a Jew, then was to be compared with Jacob, then he was a prophet, and then he was the Messiah, and finally he became her Messiah.

When she realized Christ was the Messiah, she left her water pot and went to tell everyone of Him. When Christ truly becomes Lord, He becomes our first priority. John does not say the woman “forgot” the water pot nor does he say that she “purposely” left it. Either way, now that she had come face to face with Christ, the water pot was of little or no importance to her. Her focus was no longer on the physical, but instead was on the spiritual. As the woman went to tell others, “the living water which the woman received from Jesus had certainly become an overflowing fountain in her life, and others were coming to share the refreshment that she had begun to enjoy.” ¹⁵ John points out that many believed because they had heard for themselves through the testimony of the Samaritan woman. We must also bring youth to a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ.

The Master’s Message

If Christ had began with her sin, her heart would have been hardened, had he began announcing Himself as the Christ she would have been skeptical, had He approached her as Nicodemus she would have been puzzled. Instead he uses that which she knows well to lead her to a deeper spiritual understanding. “He takes ‘water’ for his text to this water-carrier. In a picture lesson unfolds the truth. Ours are blind eyes if they do not see texts in the commonest things, where from we may preach the gospel of the kingdom.” ¹⁶ “Christ did not preach sensational sermons, but sermons which created a sensation.”¹⁷ Christ’s objective was the person, not the method or the message. The message was aimed at reaching the person. Do we deliver sensational messages to youth or do we deliver messages to reach youth. Are the words we speak our focus, or the youths to which we speak? Do we care for lost youth as Christ cared for the lost?

End Notes

¹ William Hendrickson, New Testament Commentary: Exposition of the Gospel According to John (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1981), 155.

2 Joseph S. Exell, The Biblical Illustrator: John I (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953) 299.

3 Ibid., 317.

4 Ibid., 313.

5 Ibid., 314

6 Raymond E. Brown, The Anchor Bible, vol. 4, The Gospel According to John (i-xii) (New York: Doubleday and Co., Inc., 1966), 170.]

7 Exell, 311.

8 David Thomas, The Gospel of John (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1980), 87.

9 Exell, 345.

10 Ibid., 321.

11 Ibid., 332.

12 R.C.H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. John’s Gospel (Ohio: The Wartburg Press, 1942), 317.

13 Frank E, Gaebelein, ed., Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981), vol. 9, John, by Merrill C. Tenney, 55.

14 Barnabus Lindars, The New Century Bible Commentary: The Gospel of John (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1987), 191.

15 F.F. Bruce, The Gospel of John (Grand Rapids: Eerdman’s Publishing Co., 1983), 115.]1@

16 Exell, 307.

17 Ibid., 309.

Bibliography

Brown, Raymond E. The Anchor Bible, vol. 4, The Gospel According to John (i-xii). New York: Doubleday and Co., Inc., 1966.

Bruce, F.F. The Gospel of John. Grand Rapids: Eerdman’s Publishing Co., 1983.

Exell, Joseph S. The Biblical Illustrator: John I Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953.

Gaebelein, Frank E, ed., Expositor’s Bible Commentary, vol. 9, John, by Merrill C. Tenney, Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981.

Hendrickson,William New Testament Commentary: Exposition of the Gospel According to John. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1981.

Lenski, R.C.H. The Interpretation of St. John’s Gospel. Ohio: The Wartburg Press, 1942.

Lindars, Barnabus The New Century Bible Commentary: The Gospel of John. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1987.

Thomas, David The Gospel of John. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1980.

© Kenneth Sapp, 26 April 1991

Evangelism Ideas, Teaching Illustrations

Removing the Hooks

October 7, 2012 kensapp Leave a comment

The fishermen had let their lines down into the water when Dan noticed a school of dolphins had come alongside and were swimming in the boat’s wake. He immediately shouted for the lines to be drawn in. The fisherman hurriedly reeled in thier lines but it was too late–one of the dolphins had been snared. He dove deep, trying to get away from the hook, then came to the surface to relieve the pain. Time and again he dove, erach time driving the hook deeper into his mouth. After a long while the dolphin was finally exhausted and simply swam next to the boat. Dan moved to the side of the boat near the dolphin and then experienced one of the most amazing moments of his life The dolphin moved close to the boat and then turned over on his side, exposing the lodged hook protruding from his mouth. Dan reached out and gently removed the hook.

God desires to use each of us to love and reach out to other youth in such a way that they come to understand that there is “someone in the boat” who is willing and able to remove the force destroying their lives. As we love them and tell them of the life Christ can provide, the Holy Spirit will work with us, bringing them to a place where they will allow God to “remove the hook.” When youth hold out the hook (their hurts and needs) we need to be ready to share with them how God can change their lives.

Evangelism Ideas

My Friend

October 6, 2012 kensapp Leave a comment

My friend I stand in judgement now
And feel that you’re to blame somehow.
On earth I walked with you day by day,
And never did you point the way.

You knew the Lord in truth and glory,
But never did you tell the story.
My knowledge then was very dim;
You could have led me safe to Him.

Though we lived together here on earth,
You never told of the second birth;
And now I stand this day condemned,
Because you failed to mention Him.

You taught me many things that’s true.
I called you “friend” and trusted you.
But I learn, now that it is too late,
And you could have kept me from this fate.

We walked by day and talked by night
And yet you showed me not the light.
You let me live and love and die;
You knew I’d never live on high.

Yes, I called you friend in life
And trusted you through fun and strife;
And yet on coming to this dreadful end
I cannot, now, call you “my friend.”

Author unknown

Devotional

God’s WORD for Youth: Choices

October 5, 2012 kensapp Leave a comment

“Those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.” – Mark 8:35

What are the prizes in life worth winning? This is the question that haunts me.

I don’t want to rush through life pursuing one thing after another, only to find in the end that the only prize worth choosing is the prize I’ve managed to lose. I could spend my whole life collecting the nicest clothes, the smartest car, or the most notorious name in history and still lose my own soul.

Jesus asks me even harder questions. What am I willing to die for, or what in my life must die so that I can truly live? I may not always choose the easy ways; in fact, at times I will need to make hard choices. Some may be choices for which I even choose to die.

The path I see before me is full of choices. As a capable young adult, I look at the future and choose those vocations and avocations that are worthy of my time and calling as a person of God. I sort out what is important and put my efforts there.

Today I choose prizes worthy of my calling as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Devotional

God’s WORD for Youth: Relationships

October 4, 2012 kensapp Leave a comment

“And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some.” Hebrews 1024-25a

Relationships are critical for youth. We can’t survive without relationships some casual, some close, and some intimate. It’s important to have shared moments and experiences and simply to be present for another person. This communion with other people is a celebration of life and God which lifts my spirits and lets me know that I am not alone. Companionship is essential if I am to continue to make progress in my journey of discipleship. Being there for someone and knowing someone understands my fears gives me strength to go on.

Each day I look for opportunities to give of myself as well as to receive what others have to share. I set aside time to be with my family, friends, and faith community. I have a primary responsibility to myself and the people I care about to spend time in their presence and to share myself with them.

I find growth and affirmation in the company I keep.

Devotional

God’s WORD for Youth: Giving

October 3, 2012 kensapp Leave a comment

“Whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple – truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” – Matthew 10:42

Today I give a cup of cold water. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, this means I extend myself for other people, especially children. When I see a need, I reach out to help. I am fully aware of what’s going on around me, and I see the opportunity for service along the way.

At one time I looked at all the injustices and waited for God or someone else to fix whatever was wrong – and perhaps even to fix me. I believed that God could make everything all right and that all I had to do was sit back and watch it happen.

The truth is that God’s work takes place through me as well as through others. When I recognize my responsibility and accept oneness with all God’s creation, I take the first step toward the healing of myself and the world I live in.

Today I give a cup of cold water and become part of the healing process. Today I live in hope as a person of the light. I, like John, tell others about the light I’ve found, joyfully inviting them to explore this light for themselves. Especially when I enter into places of darkness – hopelessness, abuse, hatred, or war – I share the light that is a part of who I am as a Christian.

In the darkest corners of my life there still may lurk dark shadows, menaces, and threats. Darkness separates me from my neighbor or friend. When I step into darkness I cannot recognize the trouble within.

Today I step out of the murky shadows and experience the wonderful light that was lit when Jesus appeared in the world. In light I have hope, a new beginning!

Jesus was and is a light to the world. Only as I understand the darkness in which I once lived can I fully comprehend and experience the wonderful light of Jesus.

Today I have hope as I rejoice in the light of the world, Jesus Christ!

Resource Reviews

God’s WORD for youth – Bread

October 3, 2012 kensapp Leave a comment

Usually we think of methods of intake as falling into four categories

hearing the Word taught by our pastors and teachers (Jeremiah 3:15),
reading the Bible ourselves (Deuteronomy 17:19,
studying the Scriptures intently (Proverbs 2:1-5), and
memorizing key passages (Psalm 119:11).

All of these methods are needed for a balanced intake of the Word.

Pastors are gifted by God and trained to teach the ‘whole counsel of God.’
Reading the Scripture gives us the overall perspective of divine truth
Study of a passage or topic enables us to dig more deeply into a particular truth.
Memorization helps us retain important truths so we can apply them to our lives.”

Source: Jerry Bridges, Pursuit of Holiness, p. 102

Why do we starve ourselves of the Word of God? We never fail to eat if food is readily available. We don’t typically rush into the day without consider the need for nourishment. Yet how do we do this when it comes to spiritual nourishment. We leave our souls starved and weak. No wonder we so easily fall into temptation. Like daily bread, we need to have the intake of God’s word in life.

Teaching Illustrations

Trading Places

October 2, 2012 kensapp Leave a comment

In Chuck Coleson’s book, The Body, he told the story of a priest named Maximilian Kolbe, who died in the place of another prisoner at Auschwitz.

The story begins in 1939, the year Germany invaded Poland. Father Kolbe was then presiding over a Franciscan order he’d founded near Warsaw. A hard-working priest, Father Kolbe expressed a love, enthusiasm, and sense of humor that endeared him to his brethren.

But in February of 1941, the Nazis arrested Kolbe and charged him with publishing unapproved literature. They sent him to Auschwitz, and the 47-year-old monk nearly died from the back-breaking work.

Despite the brutal conditions, Father Kolbe ministered to his fellow prisoners. He prayed with them, heard their confessions, and comforted their souls.

But that ministry ended one hot July morning. An inmate had escaped, and the angry soldiers lined the prisoners up. “The fugitive has not been found!” the commandant screamed. “Ten of you will die for him in the starvation bunker.” The prisoners trembled in terror. A few days in this bunker without food and water, and a man’s intestines dried up and his brain turned to fire.

Commandant Fritsch walked among the rows of prisoners, stopping before certain men, making them open their mouths and stick out their tongues. He was choosing them like one would choose a horse. His assistant, Palitsch, followed behind. As Fritsch chose a man, Palitsch noted the number and stamped a mark on the prisoner’s filthy shirt. Soon there were ten men — ten numbers listed neatly on the death roll. The chosen groaned, sweating with fear. One of them-a Polish farmer named Franciszek Gajowniczek- couldn’t help a cry of anguish. “My poor wife!” he sobbed. “My poor children! What will they do?”

The ten were forced to remove their wooden shoes, a Nazi tradition for those who were about to be executed.

Suddenly there was a commotion in the ranks. A prisoner had broken out of line and was calling for the Commandant. This was suicidal! A prisoner was never permitted to leave the ranks, let alone address a Nazi officer. It was cause for execution. Fritsch had his hand on his revolver, as did the officers behind him. But he broke precedent. Instead of shooting the prisoner, he shouted at him. “Halt! What does this Polish pig want of me?”

The prisoners gasped. It was their beloved Maximilian Kolbe, the one who shared his last crust of bread, who comforted the dying, who gave up his own blanket and encouraged them with prayer. Not Maximilian! The frail man spoke softly, even calmly, to the Nazi butcher, “I would like to die in place of one of the men you condemned.” Fritsch stared at the prisoner. #16670.

“Why?” snapped the Commandant. Kolbe sensed the need for flawless diplomacy. The Nazi never reversed an order; so he must not appear to be asking him to do so. He knew the Nazi dictum of destruction: the weak and the elderly first. He would play on this well-ingrained principle. “I am an old man, sir, and good for nothing. My life will serve no purpose.” His ploy triggered the response Kolbe wanted. “In whose place do you want to die?” asked Fritsch. “For that one,” Kolbe responded, pointing to the weeping prisoner who had bemoaned his wife and children.

Fritsch glanced at the weeping prisoner. He did look stronger than this used up #16670 before him. The Commandant nodded to his assistant and the change was noted. Kolbe bent down and removed his wooden clogs, then joined the group of condemned prisoners. As he did, #5659 passed by him at a distance, led by the soldiers. On the man’s face was an expression of astonishment, an expression that did not yet reveal gratitude. But Kolbe wasn’t looking for gratitude. If he was to lay down his life for another, the fulfillment had to be in the act of obedience itself. The joy must be found in submitting his small will to the will of One more grand.

The ten condemned men were stripped naked and left in a dark cell with no windows, food, or water. As the hours and days passed, the camp became aware of something extraordinary happening in the death chamber. Past condemned prisoners had spent their dying days attacking one another, crying out in pain and exasperation, clawing the walls in a frenzy of despair. But now, coming from the death cell, those outside heard the faint sounds of singing. Things were different this time. The condemned prisoners had a shepherd to gently lead them through the shadow of the valley of death, pointing them to the Great Shepherd. Perhaps it was for this reason that Kolbe was the last to die.

On August 14, 1941, four prisoners were still alive in the bunker, and it was needed for new occupants. A German doctor named Boch walked down the stairs of the death cell with four syringes in his hand. When he swung open the bunker door, there, in the light of his flashlight, he saw Maximilian Kolbe, a living skeleton propped against one wall. His head was inclined a bit to the left. He had the remnants of a smile on his lips. The doctor quickly snuffed out the lives of the other three unconscious prisoners, then turned to insert the syringe into the arm of the last one. In one moment, Maximilian Kolbe was dead.

So it was as a Catholic priest that St. Maximilian accompanied his wretched flock of nine men condemned to death. It was not a question of saving the life of the tenth man – that was part of the story, but there was much more. He also wanted to help those nine to die with dignity. From the moment the dreadful door clanged shut on the condemned men, he took charge of them, and not just them but others who were dying of hunger in cells nearby, and whose demented cries caused anyone who approached to shudder. It is a fact that from the moment he came into their midst, those wretched people felt a protective presence, and suddenly their cells, in which they awaited their final end, resounded with hymns and prayers. The SS themselves were astounded: “So was haben wir nie gesehen” – We never saw anything like it before, they said.

And what of Franciszek Gajowniczek? He died in Poland in 1995 – 53 years after Kolbe had saved him.

But he was never to forget the ragged monk. After his release from Auschwitz, Gajowniczek spent the next five decades paying homage to Father Kolbe.

A few years ago, the 94-year-old Pole visited St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church of Houston. His translator on that trip, Chaplain Thaddeus Horbowy, said: “He told me that as long as he… has breath in his lungs, he would consider it his duty to tell people about the heroic act of love by Maximilian Kolbe.”