Let the Professional do it... Hmmm, that doesn't seem right.

Aquila & Priscilla came to faith through Paul's preaching. They were discipled by Paul as they worked together making tents. They traveled with Paul and watched him minister in the name of Jesus. When they encountered Apollos, who was preaching and teaching Jesus but didn't yet understand the whole story, they could have responded in two ways. They could reject him because he wasn't teaching like Paul teaches, or they could say, "Listen, you need to sit in on some of Paul's seminars or maybe even enroll in his traveling seminary before you go preaching any more." Instead, they chose a third option.  "When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately." (Acts 18:26) This is second generation discipleship.

We too often approach ministry like this, "You need to come and hear my preacher." Why? Don't we know the scriptures well enough to teach them ourselves? Do we believe that somehow people come to faith in Christ because of the charisma of the teacher instead of by the grace of God? We often blame preachers for professionalizing the ministry, and sometimes we're right. More often, however, we in the pews are to blame because we're not willing to step up and minister ourselves. We prefer to let the professionals do it. Thank God for people like Aquila and Priscilla who were willing to take Apollos under their wing and teach him further.

Thank God for Apollos who was willing to submit to the instruction of Aquila and Priscilla. He was obviously a gifted speaker and a learned and intelligent student of the scriptures, yet he was willing to sit with these tent makers and learn. In our arrogance, or perhaps our insecurity, we are often unwilling to listen to and learn from others. Because he was willing to learn he had a powerful ministry for Christ.

Father, forgive us for the times we have been unwilling to do ministry ourselves, opting for sending people to the professionals instead, and forgive us for the times we have been unteachable. By your grace, would you continue to mold us, teach us and use us for your glory.