Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC
Acts 18:25-26 (NIV)
25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
Can you think back to a time when you witnessed to someone or taught someone about Christ only to realize that you still had a lot to learn yourself? I know I have, and it is encouraging to read of people in the Bible who also taught as they learned. God is so faithful to use us right where we are, growing us forward in Him more each day as we seek Him.
Acts 18 tells of Apollos who was from Alexandria, a city in northern Egypt known as a center of education and philosophy. He was well educated and was a gifted speaker, teacher, and apologist skilled in debate and reason. He could apply the old testament scriptures in a way that enabled him to be a powerful witness for Christ. As a result, many people were drawn to hear him boldly speak the message of the gospel. He had arrived in Ephesus shortly after Paul had “planted the seeds” of the Good News, and Apollos eagerly “watered them,” while God made them grow (1 Corinthians 3:5-9). However, while he knew Jesus was the Messiah, and knew some about Jesus’ earthly ministry, he knew nothing of the resurrection.
A Christian couple, named Priscilla & Aquila heard Apollos speak one day and realized he did not have the whole story, so they invited him into their home and discipled him. I love that they didn’t embarrass him, or discount him to the public; they saw his gifts and further taught him about Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit which gave him the tools to become a very effective and accurate witness for Christ!
Apollos models a teachable spirit for all of us. As respected and educated as he was, his faith walk was stronger, and he was still eager to learn about Jesus. Rather than give way to pride, he absorbed the Good News in its entirety with excitement. Rather than give way to discouragement, Apollos was renewed to get back out there and teach the rest of the Gospel. Because he stayed teachable, many were saved.
As a disciple of Christ, we too need to stay teachable and always learning, practicing, and growing in our walk with the Lord. Today if you are in a stagnant place with God, dive into God’s Word with a heart like Apollos. If you had a few stumbles in your witness, get back out there and tell the rest of the story! It is in our obedience to God that we often learn the most. Stay teachable!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, as a disciple of Christ, I pray for an enthusiastic spirit. Mold me and shape me, and give me boldness and clarity to speak the Good News with accuracy. Give me a teachable spirit. Forgive me for the times in my life I have felt like I had nothing to learn, or read in your Word. The life of a disciple and your witness is so much more than a few Bible stories. Help me tell the world around me of Your Greatness and love. Teach me how to tell of Your forgiveness and mercy through Christ’s death and resurrection and of the gift and power of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
1 Corinthians 2:9
What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him