Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Good morning. Today we sit with the scene in Ephesus where Priscilla and Aquila listened carefully to Apollos, then took him aside and helped him grow.
Today's Verse
"And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly."— Acts 18:24-26
Reflection
Apollos arrived in Ephesus gifted, learned, and bold. He knew the Scriptures and spoke with zeal, yet his understanding was incomplete. Priscilla and Aquila did not embarrass him in public. They listened, took him aside, and explained the way of God more perfectly. That is mentoring at its best: patient, private, and practical. In summer's slower rhythm, this is a good time to notice one person who has promise and offer a careful conversation that helps them take the next faithful step.
Mentoring means helping someone grow with truth, humility, and personal attention.
1-Minute Study: Understanding mentoring
Priscilla and Aquila show that mentoring is more than giving advice. They first heard Apollos. They recognized real strength in him: he was eloquent, fervent, and mighty in the Scriptures. They also noticed a gap: he knew only the baptism of John. Instead of correcting him to display their own knowledge, they invited him into conversation and taught him more perfectly. Their method matters. Good mentoring is observant, respectful, and specific. This pattern appears elsewhere in Scripture. Moses learned to delegate after Jethro's practical counsel. Paul later told Timothy to pass along sound teaching to faithful men who would teach others also. Mentoring is not controlling another person's path; it is helping them become more faithful and more useful in the work God has given them. In ordinary life, this may look like showing a new teacher how to prepare well, helping a younger parent navigate a hard season, or guiding a new believer through questions without shaming them for what they do not yet know.
Cross References: 2 Timothy 2:2 • Exodus 18:17-24 • Proverbs 27:17
Prayer of the Day
Lord, thank You for Priscilla and Aquila, who listened well and taught Apollos with care. Give me their wisdom to guide without pride, and give me Apollos's humility to receive correction. Show me today who may need a quiet, faithful word.
Today's Challenge
Reach out to one younger believer, coworker, or family member this week and invite them for coffee or a walk to talk through one specific area where they want to grow.
Sacred Art Spotlight
In Ephesus, Priscilla and Aquila speak privately with Apollos after hearing him in the synagogue, opening the Scriptures and explaining the way of God more fully.