What incredible power there is in that little statement! It can take someone from being a zero to one who is making a positive contribution and being fulfilled in it.
Although we are not told it in Acts 11, I strongly suspect that Barnabas used these words when he went to Paul’s home city, Tarsus, and found him there some time after he had been sent home from Jerusalem for his own protection. You can read the story in Acts 9. It seems that Paul had been languishing there for some time, probably wondering whether God was interested in him any more, and whether he would ever get to serve Him, as he desired to do. It seemed that all he could do was to continue to make tents to keep body and soul together.
But suddenly Barnabas appeared on the scene. Remember, we read about him a little while ago. It must have been a big thing for Barnabas to leave Antioch, where God was really moving among the Christian disciples, and go to look for Paul. It was quite a journey in the first place, and, when he got to Tarsus, he had to set about trying to locate Paul. And find him he did. I can imagine that Barnabas found Paul doing his mundane job, and maybe quite dispirited about the possibility of serving the Lord. I can imagine Paul telling Barnabas that he had blown it in Jerusalem—his opportunity to speak for God was over. I can imagine Barnabas telling him with great excitement in his voice what God was doing in Antioch, and that the disciples there needed to be established in their faith.
And then Barnabas urged Paul to think about going with him to help him teach and encourage the new Christians there. I wonder if Paul hesitated and expressed a doubt that he could do it. Maybe. And I can just see Barnabas encouraging him that he would be the ideal person for the task and that he was well able to do it. I can see him saying, “I believe in you, Paul! You can do it. You’re the ideal man!” 
I believe that the encouragement of Barnabas galvanized Paul and launched him into his missionary career. Paul went on to be a firebrand for the Gospel wherever he went, and turned out to be the greatest missionary the world has known. Such is the power of even a short sentence.  
Growing Deep and Strong empowers ordinary Christians as coaches in this journey of discipleship. We have seen people who would not normally be given a second thought regarding any form of leadership become effective coaches who have an incredibly powerful influence on their disciples. How come? Because someone has said, in effect, “I believe in you!” We have seen coaches grow in their own faith and be encouraged as they have seen their disciples grow and become established in their faith. Who knows what God will do with new Christians as they grow and mature through the Growing Deep and Strong Series, and through the encouragement of their coaches? They may well become powerful people in God’s kingdom, even as Paul was. Look through the Bible and you will see that often God took up the most unlikely people and used them powerfully to bring His kingdom into being on earth. 
Coaches who are walking through Growing Deep and Strong together with their disciples have the same opportunity to encourage them by saying, in effect, “I believe in you!” That sentence is infectious! And, in time, the disciples will use the same words to encourage someone else who has come in to the kingdom of light. 
We at Growing Deep and Strong believe in the multiplying effect of encouragement. Get in touch directly with us, if you have any issues that you need help with, or if you need encouragement. Email us on gdasinfo@jesuschrist.com.au or write or phone for any help you need. If you need help with conducting an Encounter Weekend, we are more than happy to help. All the contact details are on the website, http://www.jesuschrist.com.au/ as well as in the Manuals.
Remember, some of the most powerful words you can say to someone are, “I believe in you!” Let’s use that little sentence wisely but freely, and see what God will do with it.
David W Searle
Co-author of Growing Deep and Strong Series