”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.” (Acts 18:24-27)
When we think of mentoring, we usually think of Paul and Timothy and the extensive discipleship Timothy received. It can be rather intimidating to think of whether we could do something like that. But God has plans for us and it's important to remember it’s not going to go beyond the resources He has equipped us with. Priscilla and Aquila mentored Apollos in one session and turned his partial ministry into a ministry that affected the world! What was their secret? They had experienced Paul’s ministry and they knew what Apollos was missing.
If you have experience and have seen what works and what doesn’t, you can help the new person who may have more training than you but hasn’t put it into practice yet. What does this take? For the mentor, it takes careful observation of the new person and a willingness to humbly befriend and share your personal experience. For the mentee, it takes a willingness to understand that your training, as good as it might be, needs the in-the-trenches experience of someone who has done it. This is the kind of relationship that God can use - and has used! - to move His plan forward.
Prayer Prompt: Lord, have I gained experience that can benefit someone else? Guide me to someone whose ministry would benefit from a nudge along the path to fruitful ministry. Lord, I am excited by what I have learned and want to serve you. Help me to look for people who have done things similar to the ministry I feel called to and start a conversation with them about their experience. Lord show me how to increase my effectiveness by teaming up with another believer.
Song of the Day: The Church - Upperroom
