Today we switch focus from Paul’s missionary journey to a preacher and apologist named Apollos. Being from the intellectual center of Alexandria, Egypt, Apollos has journeyed across the Mediterranean Sea to preach in Ephesus, a major commercial city and capital of the Roman province of Asia.

What is interesting about Apollos is that he was preaching about Jesus as the Messiah and the need for repentance, even though he did not know the whole story of Christ’s death and resurrection and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Notice how the Christians respond to him: they mentor him and equip him to continue to use his gifts for the building up of the Kingdom of God.

Take a minute to consider who you are more like in this story: are you more like Apollos or Priscilla and Aquila?

[Acts 18.24-28]

18.24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 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. 26 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. 27 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, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What does Luke highlight about Apollos’ character in vv. 24-25?

+ What is the baptism of John that Apollos preached? [Reference Luke 3:3-17]

+ How do the mature in faith interact with him? [v. 26]

+ How does Aquila and Priscilla’s work with Apollos impact the global church for good? [vv. 27-28]

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Are you younger in the faith, fired up, and engaging others in conversation about the truth of the Gospel? Do you need mature Christians to come alongside and mentor you? Are you willing to ask someone to invest in you?

+ Are you older in faith and coming alongside younger disciples to secure them in the Gospel and equipping them to be a blessing? Do you need to come alongside and mentor others? Are you willing to come alongside and invest in a younger Christian?

+ What does this account reveal about God’s heart for all the peoples of the world?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?