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TEACHABILITY: Apollos Learned and Grew

Acts 18:24-28

The Book of Acts portrays Apollos as an excellent teacher. God greatly used him in a number of cultures, and he became known as the apostle’s right-hand man.

What most impresses about Apollos, however, is his teachability. He never thought he had learned so much that he couldn’t improve his game. Luke points out several facts about this man:

1. He came from a cultured city (v. 24).

2. He was an educated man (v. 24).

3. He knew the Scriptures well (v. 24).

4. He’d been taught the Christian faith (v. 25).

5. He had an obvious gift (v. 25).

6. He taught truth accurately (v. 25).

7. He taught truth passionately (v. 26).

Church history tells us that Apollos was such a good teacher that most people would rather have listened to him than to the apostle Paul. That’s quite a feather in his cap! This might cause us to assume he had everything together. Yet Apollos “knew only the baptism of John” (18:25). He understood repentance. He understood what it meant to surrender to God. But he wasn’t familiar with the deeper truths of discipleship or the Spirit-filled life. So, Aquila and Priscilla mentored him by taking the time to listen, evaluate, relate, and explain “the way of God” (18:26).

Leaders face the danger of contentment with the status quo. After all, if a leader already possess influence and has achieved a level of respect, why should he or she keep growing?

Leaders must remain teachable. Growth means you’ll make mistakes, but you must learn from each of them.



Sunday Morning

“21” Crucial Qualities of Christians:  #20 – TEACHABILITY

Galatians 6:1-10

I. The Quality Defined

a. Gal. 6:3

II. King Nebuchadnezzar Learns the Hard Way

a. Daniel 4:4-37

III. Naaman Chose Wisely

a. 2 Kings 5:1-15

IV. The Next Lesson

a. Mark 10:17-27

V. Conclusion

a. Gal. 6:3



Sunday Evening

Open My Eyes That I May See

2 Kings 6:12-18

I. Open Our Eyes To See The Army of God

a. 2 Kings 6:13-17

b. Matt. 26:52-53; 1 Kings 22:19-23; Heb. 1:14

c. 2 Kings 6:18; Heb. 13:5-6; Heb. 2:17-18; Rom. 8:31-39; Psa. 121

II. Open Our Eyes To See Wondrous Things From God’s Law

a. Psa. 119:18

b. 2 Tim. 3:16

c. Gal. 4:4; Matt. 28:19

d. Psa. 119:9-11

e. Psa. 119:160; John 1:14, 17; John 14:6; John 8:31-32

III. Open Our Eyes To See Jesus

a. Heb. 12:1

b. John 20:14-16; Rom. 10:17

c. Luke 4:20

IV. We Pray to God To See Our Situations and To Act

a. Isa. 37:14-20

b. Isa. 38:1-6

c. James 5:13

V. We Walk By Faith

a. 2 Cor. 5:7

b. John 20:29



     TEACHABILITY: The King Is Slow to Learn

Daniel 4:1-37

King Nebuchadnezzar proved himself to be one of the most arrogant leaders in the history of self-centered and prideful that God dealt with him in a most unusual way.

God gave the king a vision of a huge tree, chopped down by an angel. The tree represented him. God removed him from his position and drove him into the wilderness to live like an animal. His hair and fingernails grew long; he ate the same diet as the beasts of the field; he dwelt in caves and dirt shelters. And he stayed out there until he fully recognized God as the supreme Ruler of the world. He had to learn submission, relinquish control and power, and become teachable.

Fortunately, God’s discipline worked. Once the king returned to the palace, he became a different man. He no longer laid claim to sovereignty or wisdom. He perceived his greatness as God-given (Dan. 4:36). Notice how Nebuchadnezzar developed a teachable spirit:

1. Grateful words. The king expressed appreciation and blessing for God’s grace and mercy.

2. Hungry Mind. The king possessed a passion and hunger for personal growth.

3. Big-Picture Perspective. The king saw things from a new, larger viewpoint.

4. Dissatisfaction with the present. The king did not feel content with the status quo or mediocrity.

5. Humble Heart. The king expressed humility regarding his own importance and power.

6. Magnetic Spirit. The king began once more to attract nobles and counselors.

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