To Teach An Old Dog New Tricks

Scripture:
Acts 18:24-28 (NIV)

Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

Devotional:

No matter how old we are or how smart we think we are there is always room to learn something new.  Apollos who was an educated man went to Ephesus to teach about Christ.  He was very accurate in his teachings with one exception.  He didn’t teach past the Baptism of John.  His education wasn’t complete.  Priscilla and Aquila took him aside to share the death and resurrection of Christ.  Afterward he was better equipped to preach the Gospel.  He was of tremendous help to other disciples.

Apollos humbly took the instruction that was needed.  He could have refutted their teachings.  After all he was well educated and clearly knew the scriptures very well.  Because of his willingness to listen and learn new things he was able to be used by God.  He became a great help to those he served with.  Do you have a humble heart?  Are you willing to learn new things?  Do you listen to what someone else has to say?  You never know they might hold a new perspective to the Scriptures that you hadn’t thought of.  Someone may be able to clear up something written in the scripture that you hadn’t realized you didn’t know or miss understood.  Each of us can learn something new.  We can all use a little clearing up of a subject here or there.  Are you willing to allow someone to show you and teach you?  One thing is for sure, I don’t want to teach about God and be wrong.  I never want to miss lead anyone.  My goal is to always have an open mind, to listen to what others have to say.  Who knows maybe what they would teach is better, maybe no.  If I keep a closed mind I will never know…