MEMORY SCRIPTURE
And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
(2 Timothy 2:2)
You need godly mentors to water the gifts of God in your life to fruitfulness, Barnabas did that to Paul who in turn nurtured the likes of Timothy and Titus, among others.
DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS
Mon. 9: Joshua Calls Into Action (Jos. 1:1-4)
Tue. 10: Joshua Receives God’s Assurance (Jos. 1:5-9)
Wed. 11: Joshua Steps Into Action (Jos. 1:10-15)
Thur. 12: Joshua Has A Duty (Jos.1:16-18)
Fri. 13: Joshua Relates Selflessly (Jos. 3:1-1 1)
Sat. 14: Joshua Accords With Caleb (Jos. 14:6-13)
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT
Background, skill and fervency aren’t enough. God has a way of making us better through godly mentors
INTRODUCTION
TEXTUAL TEXT: Romans 13: 1-3; Acts 18: 24-28
We return all glory to God Almighty for the grace we received to have gone through 46 lessons in this series. In the lesson we just concluded, we are called to stewardship and accountability with our gifts. Are you putting into practice all you have learnt so far?
This is the penultimate lesson in this series, titled: MODERATION THROUGH GODLY LEADERS AND MENTORS. We shall be examining the life of the eloquent and zealous Apollos, and how Aquila and Priscilla helped him. Apollos was still not as mature in the faith and ministry as he should have been, hence the intervention by Priscilla and Aquila privately, and not publicly denouncing him. May the Holy Spirit help us to be malleable, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
LESSON OUTLINE
- APOLLOS, THE ZEALOUS BUT UNDERDEVELOPED TEACHER
- AQUILLA AND PRISCILLA HELP APOLLOS
LESSON EXPOSITION
APOLLOS, THE ZEALOUS BUT UNDERDEVELOPED TEACHER (vv. 24-25)
This man had been instructed in the way of the LORD; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.
(v.25)
a) vv. 24,25: Apollos was a gifted itinerant evangelist, apologist, and Apostle Paul’s co-worker. His enthusiastic proclamation of the way in Ephesus must have led a number of people to believe (vv.26ff)
b) v.25: That he had been instructed in the way of the LORD means he was discipled. The place of discipleship/ mentorship in Christian maturity can’t be overemphasised, As a man of great Zeal for God, he reminds believers to obey God with enthusiasm
c) He taught boldly in the synagogue, even at Corinth (19:1). However, at that time, his understanding of the gospel was inadequate, since he was acquainted only with the baptism of John. This is evident in the lives of his converts in Ephesus (18:24; 19:1ff).
d) There is the need for gradual and consistent growth in the faith, if the believer would become mature
e) Apollos needed further grooming in the things of the LorD, if he would truly attain to God’s expectation (cf. V. 26). We all need such. Thank God, Aquilla and Priscilla rose to the occasion.
AQUILLA AND PRISCILLA HELP APOLLOS (vv. 1-3,26-28)
So, he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
(v. 26)
a) vv.1-3: The Jewish Christian couple, Aquila and Priscilla, first met Paul in Corinth, became close to him, and partook of his mission work These 2 wonderful people belonged to the league of Christian heroes, and their ministries were both inspirational and exemplary. V. 26: They encouraged Apollos’ ministry by attending it, neither
b) despising, nor undervaluing him in others’ eyes. They shared with him what they had learnt in the LORD. Young believers may gain a great deal by conversing with God-fearing older Christians.
c) vv. 26-28: They spent some time with him to fill in any gaps in his understanding of Christ. With the full message in hand, he was able to effectively preach the Gospel, albeit apologetically.
d) v. 26: They corrected him in a way that encouraged and strengthened him for effective ministry–..they took him aside; not public bashing! Our churches and communities would be great, if we choose to guide others in more loving fellowship.
e) Priscilla and Aquilla are great mentorship models for us all They displayed the beautiful possibilities of believers working together for the flourishing of the kingdom.
LESSONS DERIVED
- Stopping to grow, and mature in the faith negatively impacts the exercise of one’s gifts.
- A godly leader doesn’t conform to the status quo but sets the standard for others to follow and helps the followers o attain the godly standard.
QUESTIONS
- Discuss the effects of Apollos’ inadequate knowledge about Christ on his preaching teaching and ministry.
- How should Christian ministry leaders/mentors help their mentees to become God’s best in terms of maturity?
