“After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.” –Acts 18:24 (NIV).
In his second missionary journey, Paul had assistants, Silas and Timothy. Enroute, at Corinth, he met up with Aquila and Priscilla, tentmakers, with whom he worked to make a living, for Paul himself knew how to make tents. Then after a year and a half, he left Corinth and went to Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla with him. They remained in Ephesus and Paul traveled on to towns in Galatia and Phrygia, “strengthening the disciples.” Teaching the ways of God to converts is an important aspect of any church’s responsibility. Think of how important Christian education was to Paul. Everywhere he went, he opened up the Scriptures to his hearers. Retracing his steps to churches he had established on an earlier missionary journey was important to Paul.
He wanted to see how the churches fared, he taught him more of the “Jesus Way,” and he encouraged them in the Christian life. And Paul trained others who themselves became effective teachers. His letters to the churches, now part of our Bible, are also filled with instruction and encouragement.
It is noteworthy that Aquila and Priscilla themselves were outstanding as Christian teachers. At Ephesus, they met Apollos of Alexandria who was termed “well-educated in the way of the Master and fiery in his enthusiasm…accurate in all he taught about Jesus up to a point…but he only went as far as the baptism of John” (Acts 18:24-25). Teachers Aquila and Priscalla “took him into their home” (v. 26) and “instructed him more adequately.” Soon Apollos was able to go out himself, with the blessing and a letter of recommendation from the Ephesian church. He went to the Achaian province, preaching and teaching, and showing many that Jesus is the Christ prophesied in the Scriptures. Christian education, or teaching the new converts, became a way of life in the early church as Luke recorded the progress of the Christian gospel in Acts. Many centuries have passed from that early church record until now. A study of church history reveals that when Christian education was an important goal of the church, churches grew, were strengthened in the faith, and reached out to other places to take the message of Christ. When teaching was not important, the church suffered decline. Thinking of my own Christian life, I am grateful for the influence of dedicated Christian teachers who faithfully instructed in the way of the Lord. Thanks be to God for their influence and example. If God gives you the ability to instruct, teach!
He wanted to see how the churches fared, he taught him more of the “Jesus Way,” and he encouraged them in the Christian life. And Paul trained others who themselves became effective teachers. His letters to the churches, now part of our Bible, are also filled with instruction and encouragement.
It is noteworthy that Aquila and Priscilla themselves were outstanding as Christian teachers. At Ephesus, they met Apollos of Alexandria who was termed “well-educated in the way of the Master and fiery in his enthusiasm…accurate in all he taught about Jesus up to a point…but he only went as far as the baptism of John” (Acts 18:24-25). Teachers Aquila and Priscalla “took him into their home” (v. 26) and “instructed him more adequately.” Soon Apollos was able to go out himself, with the blessing and a letter of recommendation from the Ephesian church. He went to the Achaian province, preaching and teaching, and showing many that Jesus is the Christ prophesied in the Scriptures. Christian education, or teaching the new converts, became a way of life in the early church as Luke recorded the progress of the Christian gospel in Acts. Many centuries have passed from that early church record until now. A study of church history reveals that when Christian education was an important goal of the church, churches grew, were strengthened in the faith, and reached out to other places to take the message of Christ. When teaching was not important, the church suffered decline. Thinking of my own Christian life, I am grateful for the influence of dedicated Christian teachers who faithfully instructed in the way of the Lord. Thanks be to God for their influence and example. If God gives you the ability to instruct, teach!
c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Monday, May 3, 2010
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