READING: Job 4-5, Acts 18
All of us need someone to teach us, to guide us, and to correct us. We receive that guidance from our pastors, but there’s great value in more personal instruction from another believer. The problem is that many churches have relegated that responsibility only to pastors. Not only does that limit the number of people who receive instruction, but it also misses the importance of laypersons in the church.
In today’s New Testament reading, the apostle Paul left tentmakers Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus. There, they met Apollos, a man who knew the Scriptures well, “spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately” (Acts 18:25), and proclaimed boldly in the synagogue. He had not, however, experienced the baptism that Jesus commanded for believers. Priscilla and Aquila, apparently in a manner that respected Apollos’ influence and reputation, “invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately” (Acts 18:26). Later, having learned more about the Christian faith, Apollos became a great apologist for Jesus as the Messiah.
Two people took one person, apparently taught him much, and then sent him out to stand for the Christian faith. It seems to me that all of us who are longer-term, stronger believers ought to do what Priscilla and Aquila did – open our homes to new believers and invite them to learn the Word of God with us.
PRAYER: “Please, God, give me both someone who can teach me and someone I might teach. Help me not to miss opportunities today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Job 6-7, Acts 19:1-20
