Gentle Teachers and Teachable Hearts
Gentle Teachers and Teachable Hearts
Friday
"Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus."
— Acts 18:24-28 (ESV)
"This 'knowledge' puffs up, but love builds up."
— 1 Corinthians 8:1b (ESV)
"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth."
— 2 Timothy 2:24-25 (ESV)
"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth."
— 1 Corinthians 3:6 (ESV)
— Acts 18:24-28 (ESV)
"This 'knowledge' puffs up, but love builds up."
— 1 Corinthians 8:1b (ESV)
"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth."
— 2 Timothy 2:24-25 (ESV)
"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth."
— 1 Corinthians 3:6 (ESV)
Reflect:
Two beautiful qualities meet in this passage. Priscilla and Aquila showed gentleness: they took Apollos aside privately and explained God's way more accurately, without shaming him. Apollos showed humility: a gifted, educated preacher received instruction from two tentmakers. Both qualities are needed in the church. Knowledge without love can wound people; love with knowledge can build them up. And a teachable heart turns correction into growth. Because of this humble exchange, Apollos went on to greatly help believers and proclaim that the Christ is Jesus. God used one faithful couple to strengthen a preacher who strengthened a church. That is how the Body of Christ is designed to work: not to complicate our lives, but to complement them.
Two beautiful qualities meet in this passage. Priscilla and Aquila showed gentleness: they took Apollos aside privately and explained God's way more accurately, without shaming him. Apollos showed humility: a gifted, educated preacher received instruction from two tentmakers. Both qualities are needed in the church. Knowledge without love can wound people; love with knowledge can build them up. And a teachable heart turns correction into growth. Because of this humble exchange, Apollos went on to greatly help believers and proclaim that the Christ is Jesus. God used one faithful couple to strengthen a preacher who strengthened a church. That is how the Body of Christ is designed to work: not to complicate our lives, but to complement them.
Pray:
Father, make me gentle when I teach and humble when I am taught. Use me to build others up in love, and give the growth for Your glory. Amen.
Father, make me gentle when I teach and humble when I am taught. Use me to build others up in love, and give the growth for Your glory. Amen.
Take A Step:
Ask a mature believer you trust, "Is there an area where you see I could grow?" Then receive the answer with a teachable heart.
Ask a mature believer you trust, "Is there an area where you see I could grow?" Then receive the answer with a teachable heart.
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Every Spiritual BlessingChosen Before Time BeganRedeemed By Precious BloodSealed By the SpiritEmpowered By Resurrection MightSaved From: The Reality of Our Former ConditionSaved To: The Mercy & Love of GodSaved To: A New Position & FutureSaved By: Grace Through FaithSaved For: Good Works Prepared in AdvanceRemember Where You WereThe Power of "But Now"He Himself is Our PeaceAccess to the FatherBuilt Together
February
Receivers of RevelationFellow Heirs TogetherThe Unsearchable RichesStrength for the Inner BeingMore Than We Ask or ThinkThe Therefore of Christian LivingMaintaining the Unity of the SpiritGrace Measured Out in DiversityEquipped for Ministry, Growing Toward MaturityThe Gospel Center of It AllThe New Self & Truthful CommunityThe New Self & Righteous AngerThe New Self & Honest LaborThe New Self & Edifying SpeechThe New Self & Gracious ForgivenessBeloved Children Who ImitateThe Incompatibility of DarknessFrom Darkness to LightLight That Exposes and TransformsAwake, O Sleeper
March
Walk CarefullyRedeem the TimeUnderstand the Will of the LordBe Filled With the SpiritThe Mystery of Marriage and the GospelThe Foundation of the FamilyThe Beauty of Willing SubmissionThe Standard of Sacrificial LoveThe Profound MysteryLeave, Be Joined, Become OneSubmission as WorshipLeadership as StewardshipWorking for an Unseen EmployerThe Cross Overturns the World's ValuesParticipating in the Work He is DoingThe Source of Your StrengthKnowing Your Real EnemyArmor for the Evil DayThe Weapon of PrayerPeace, Love, Faith, and GraceThe King Who StoopsThe King Who Makes PeaceThe King Who Redeems
April
The King Who SendsBehold Your KingThe Spices That Were Never NeededThe Stone Already Rolled AwayHe is Not HereAnd PeterGo and TellThe Owner of EverythingThe Faithful StewardThe Cheerful GiverThe Pattern of ChristSowing and ReapingThe Ministry of RestorationCrushing Weights & Daily PacksSharing All Good ThingsGod is Not MockedDoing Good to EveryoneThe Good Master: Knowing Who Holds It AllThe Faithful Servant: Obedience Over ExcellenceThe Buried Talent: When Fear WinsEnter the Joy: The Reward That Outlasts EverythingNo Fear. Only Faith. A Week of Walking It Out
May
Learning the SecretStrength For the Generous LifePartners in the GospelFruit That Abounds to Your AccountA God Who Fills to the FullThe Second BirthThe Wind of the SpiritLifted Up For UsLoved By GodWalking in the LightThe God Who BuildsIn the Beginning, A FamilyChildren Are a Chosen GiftThe Cornerstone That Cannot Be MovedThe Home as a Witness to the WorldThe Foundation Before the Formula: Starting With the ShemaGrowing in Wisdom: Rooting Instruction in the WordGrowing in Stature: Preparing Them for the World AheadGrowing in Favor With God: Prioritizing What Matters MostGrowing in Favor With Others: Teaching Love and Faithfulness
No Comments