C A C Sunday School Lesson Preview Class For November 2, 2025 Lesson 41- Title - AQUILA AND PRISCILLA MENTOR APOLLOS

C A C Sunday School Lesson Preview Class For November 2, 2025 Lesson 41- Title - AQUILA AND PRISCILLA MENTOR APOLLOS

Theme: PREPARING GOD'S PEOPLE for LEADERSHIP

JANUARY TO DECEMBER, 2025

 NOV. 02, 2025.

 

 LESSON 41

Unit 5: Leadership Preparation In The New Testament (II)

 Topic: AQUILA AND PRISCILLA MENTOR APOLLOS

Memory Scripture

When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately (Acts 18:26b). 

Aquila and Priscilla mentored Apollos, helping him understand God's way better and turning him into a strong advocate for truth-the impact of godly mentorship.

BRIEF COMMENT

Aquila and Priscilla, a wonderful couple, came into contact with Apollos, an excellent teacher, after Paul's departure. Apollos was well-versed in the Old Testament scriptures and passionately taught them in the synagogue to the Jews. However, he preached an incomplete Gospel, stopping at the baptism of John the Baptist, knowing little about the life, crucifixion, resurrection of Christ, and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Attentive to his teaching, Aquila and Priscilla noticed the gaps in his knowledge and graciously corrected him. Apollos rectified his understanding in the home of this godly couple who invited him. Let us emulate the example of Aquila and Priscilla in our generation.

This lesson focuses on how AQUILA AND PRISCILLA MENTOR APOLLOS.

LET'S BRIEFLY SUMMARISE WHO AQUILA, PRISCILLA AND APOLLOS WAS According to the Bible.

 *SHORT STORY OF AQUILA & PRISCILLA*

(Aquila was the husband of Priscilla) 

Some married couples know how to make the most of life. They complement each other, capitalize on each other's strengths, and form an effective team. Their united efforts affect those around them. Aquila and Priscilla were such a couple. They are never mentioned separately in the Bible. In marriage and ministry, they operated as one.

Priscilla and Aquila met Paul in Corinth during his second missionary journey. They had just been expelled from Rome by Emperor Claudius's decree against Jews. Their home was as movable as the tents they made to support themselves. They opened their home to Paul, and he joined them in tentmaking. He shared with them his wealth of spiritual wisdom.

Priscilla and Aquila made the most of their spiritual education. They listened carefully to sermons and evaluated what they heard. When they heard Apollos speak, they were impressed by his ability but realized that his information was not complete. Instead of open confrontation, the couple quietly took Apollos home and shared with him what he needed to know. Until then, Apollos had only been aware of John the Baptist's message about Christ. Priscilla and Aquila told him about Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, and the reality of God's indwelling Spirit. He continued to preach powerfully-but now with the full story. 

As for Priscilla and Aquila, they went on using their home as a warm place for training and worship. Back in Rome years later, they hosted one of the house churches that developed.

In an age when the focus is mostly on what happens between a husband and wife, Aquila and Priscilla are an example of what can happen through a husband and wife. Their effectiveness together is the result of their good relationship with each other. Their hospitality opened the doorway of salvation to many. The Christian home is still one of the best tools for spread-ing the gospel. Do guests find Christ in your home?

 Strengths and accomplishments

* Outstanding husband/wife team who ministered in the early church

* Supported themselves by tentmaking while serving Christ

* Close friends of Paul

* Explained to Apollos the full message of Christ

 Lessons from their lives

* Couples can have an effective ministry together

* The home is a valuable tool for evangelism

* Every believer needs to be well educated in the faith, whatever his or her role in the church

 Vital statistics

* Where: Originally from Rome, moved to Corinth, then Ephesus

* Occupation: Tentmakers

* Contemporaries: Emperor Claudius, Paul, Timothy, Apollos

 Key verses

"Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches" (Romans 16:3-4).

Their story is told in Acts 18. They are also mentioned in Romans 16:3-5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19.

 SHORT STORY OF APOLLOS

Some people have an amazing natural talent for public speaking. Some even have a great message to go along with it. When Apollos arrived in Ephesus shortly after Paul's departure, he made an immediate impact. He spoke boldly in public, interpreting and applying the Old Testament Scriptures effectively. He debated opponents of Christianity forcefully and effectively. It didn't take long for him to be noticed by Priscilla and Aquila.

The couple quickly realized that Apollos did not have the whole story. His preaching was based on the Old Testament and John the Baptist's message. He was probably urging people to repent and prepare for the coming Messiah. Priscilla and Aquila took him home with them and brought him up to date on all that had happened. As they told him of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit, Apollos must have seen Scripture after Scripture become clear. He was filled with new energy and boldness now that he knew the complete gospel.

Apollos next decided to travel to Achaia. His friends in Ephesus were able to send along a glowing letter of introduction. He quickly became the verbal champion of the Christians in Corinth, debating the opponents of the gospel in public. As often happens, Apollos's abilities eventually created a problem. Some of the Corinthians began to follow Apollos rather than his message. Paul had to confront the Corinthians about their divisiveness. They had been forming little groups named after their favorite preacher. Apollos left Corinth and hesitated to return. Paul wrote warmly of Apollos as a fellow minister who had "watered" the seeds of the gospel that Paul had planted in Corinth. Paul last mentions Apollos briefly to Titus. Apollos was still a traveling representative of the gospel who deserved Titus's help.

Although his natural abilities could have made him proud, Apollos proved himself willing to learn. God used Priscilla and Aquila, fresh from months of learning from Paul, to give Apollos the complete gospel. Because Apollos did not hesitate to be a student, he became an even better teacher. How much does your willingness to learn affect God's efforts to help you become all he wants you to be?

 Strengths and accomplishments

* A gifted and persuasive preacher and apologist in the early church

* Willing to be taught

* One of the possible candidates for the unknown author of Hebrews

 Lessons from his life

* Effective communication of the gospel includes an accurate message delivered with God's power

* A clear verbal defense of the gospel can be a real encouragement to believers, while convincing unbelievers of its truth

 Vital statistics

* Where: From Alexandria in Egypt

* Occupations: Traveling preacher, apologist

* Contemporaries: Priscilla, Aquila, Paul

 Key verses

"He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John's baptism. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately" (Acts 18:25-26).

Apollos's story is told in Acts 18:24-19:1. He is also mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4-6, 22; 4:1, 6; 16:12; Titus 3:13

 *Our DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS for today Stated that:* 

 1. No one grows alone; you need others to become better at what you do in the Lord.

 2. Giving yourself to true mentorship would help you as a believer as you grow into spiritual maturity.

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 12:6-16

COMMENT ON THIS 

12:6-14 Rehoboam asked for advice, but he didn't carefully evaluate what he was told. If he had, he would have realized that the advice offered by the elders was wiser than that of his peers. To evaluate advice, ask if it is realistic, workable, and consistent with biblical principles. Determine if the results of following the advice will be fair, make improvements, and give a positive solution or direction. Seek counsel from those who are more experienced and wiser. Advice is helpful only if it is consistent with God's standards.

12:15-19 Both Jeroboam and Rehoboam did what was good for themselves, not what was good for their people. Rehoboam was harsh and did not listen to the people's demands; Jeroboam established new places of worship to keep his people from traveling to Jerusalem, Rehoboam's capital. Both actions backfired. Rehoboam's move divided the nation, and Jeroboam's turned the people from God. Good leaders put the best interests of the "followers" above their own. Making decisions only for yourself will backfire and cause you to lose more than if you had kept the welfare of others in mind.

 Bible Reference tips

Job 12:12: "Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?" This verse directly connects advanced age with accumulated wisdom and discernment.

Proverbs 20:29: "The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair". This suggests that while youth has its own glory, age and experience have a special kind of beauty and honor.

Proverbs 16:31: "Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life". This verse highlights that the wisdom of the aged is especially valuable when it comes from a life lived righteously. 

* Proverbs 19:20: This verse advises listening to advice and accepting discipline to gain future wisdom.

* Proverbs 11:14: It states that without guidance, people fall, but with many counselors, there is safety for individuals and communities.

* Proverbs 15:22: This proverb notes that plans fail without counsel but succeed with many advisers.

* 1 Kings 12:6–11: This passage recounts how King Rehoboam's rejection of the elders' counsel led to the kingdom's division. 

Thanks to GOD FOR THE IMPACT OF AQUILA AND PRISCILLA ON APOLLOS. And the spirit of Humility and ability to accept and listening hear of APOLLOS.

 *AIM of this lesson is:* to show the importance and impact of a godly mentorship.

 *INTRODUCTION* 

 *TEXTUAL SOURCE: Acts 18:24ff*

Today's lesson will also reveal how Apollos was mentored by the great couple, Aquila and Priscilla. This couple recognised God's grace and gift upon Apollos, a sign of a great leader. A good leader does not feel threatened when promising individuals excel. Apollos' charisma was not a threat to them; instead, they saw it as an opportunity to accurately explain God's ways to him, which would benefit Apollos in the long run. May the Lord help us to be patient enough to be mentored, preparing us for the tasks ahead. Amen.

 LESSON OUTLINE 

 I. THEY PUT HIM RIGHT

 II. THE IMPACT ON APOLLOS

 LESSON EXPOSITION

 I. THEY PUT HIM RIGHT (Acts 18:24-26)

When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately (v. 26b). 

a) v. 24: Apollos was of Jewish descent, both by religion and birth. He was born in Alexandria, Egypt, but the religion prevalent in Egypt did not influence his beliefs as it does for others, today.

 b) Mighty in the scriptures. He was well-versed in the scriptures (cf. Col. 3:16), mighty and skilled in the Old Testament, devout and learned, eloquent, prudent and wise in speech, with a captivating way of expressing and explaining the scriptures. 

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I Quote: "many evangelists (unordained ministers) are much more better than many ordained pastors but once most of this pastor discovered this they will see them as a treat instead of seeing them opportunity to help them to grow and to understand more on what they are doing they will try all their best to render them useless! Most of pastor believes these unordained ministers can't be recognized until they have been ordained! And at the same time we thank many great leaders out there who have great impacts in the life of many upcoming ministers. May God continue to increase them mightily in Jesus name. Amen. What role are you playing as a leader at home, work and ministry?

 c) v. 25: He was a zealous and bold preacher but had incomplete knowledge of the Christian faith, only knowing John's baptism, unaware of Jesus' post-resurrection baptism command (Matt. 28:19). 

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Please note: every young ministers (preachers) have this in common: 

1. Boldness 

2. Zeal and 

3. incomplete knowledge of the Christian faith. Therefore the need good leaders that will guide them. You don't need to wait until they come to you. Discover them and work on them. Don't say his too proud or does not have respect. Even if he/she did have the attitude you said you can still help them to overcome it. Whatever you do today will be remembered for life just like AQUILA & PRISCILLA we are referring to in our Bible.

 d) v. 26: Boldly proclaiming the gospel doesn't replace understanding the faith thoroughly. Aquila and Priscilla exemplified this by carefully explaining the Way to Apollos with precision (cf. Prov. 9:9).

 e) Apollos was privately schooled by this couple as regards the whole salvation message: repentance from sin as preached by John the Baptist and faith in Christ, i.e. His life, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension and the sending of the Holy Spirit (Mk 1:4-5; 16:15-16). 

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How many leaders of our time can take their time to work on any young preacher who is not from their family? They saw him preaching in the situation with limited knowledge and what he was preaching and decided to help him gained enough and complete knowledge! Stop avoiding those people that truly need your attention even those who have not come to you need your help.

 You said evangelists don't know anything! YES. but what effort are you making in order to help him to know what he didn't know. Don't wait until he will be sending his tithe and offering and special gift to you. If you avoid him someone else will accept him and work on him. Do you know that Aquila and Priscilla are not the only couple and leaders that saw this Apollos. Some among many others also knew the weaknesses of Apollos but they pretend they don't see it. This couple did what others couldn't do and they become a good case study for all generations. If you see but pretend as if you didn't God will raise another leaders who have the fear of God for him.

 f) Aquila and Priscilla's actions towards Apollos show that both genders can teach God's Word publicly and privately. It reflects true leadership, seeking to uplift others without envy. 

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You can't give what you don't have. If you're not rooted in the word of God you can't help anyone to achieve this. 95% of mothers always open some particular places in the Bible and put it beside their new born babies even when the parent don't even know what is in the Bible or only knows the particular area he/she opened. You open Bible when you're nursing a new born baby but after overcoming the nursing mother's stage you will turn your Bible to one of your home decorations. If you're not bold to handle the word of God both publicity and privately you can't make any godly impact in the life of any man. Stop pretending to know what you don't know.

 *II. THE IMPACT ON APOLLOS (Acts 18:27-28)* 

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COMMENT

18:27, 28 Apollos was from Alexandria in Egypt, the second most important city in the Roman Empire, and the home of a great university. Alexandria had a thriving Jewish population. Apollos was a scholar, orator, and debater; and after his knowledge about Christ was made more complete, God greatly used these gifts to strengthen and encourage the church. Reason is a powerful tool in the right hands and in the right situation. Apollos used the gift of reason to convince many in Greece of the truth of the Good News. 

As often happens however, abilities sometimes cause division because of jealousy, pride, or other problems. Apollos's abilities eventually created a problem. Some of the Corinthians became more enamored with Apollos than with his message. There is no evidence to suggest that Apollos encouraged this behavior, and Paul never blamed Apollos for this development. Still, Paul eventually had to confront the Corinthians about their divisiveness (see - 1 Corinthians 1:12, 13). Be glad for God's gifts but always remember that they are given to bring honor to him. He is the point! His glory is the issue! Use the gift, but more than that, praise the mo Giver of the gifts and use them to his glory.

18:27, 28 Not all the work of a minister or missionary is drudgery, setback, or suffering. Chapter 18 is triumphant, showing victories in key cities and the addition of exciting new leaders such as Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos to the church. Rejoice in the victories Christ brings, and don't let the hazards create al negative mind-set.

 For he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ (v. 28).

 a) v. 27: Apollos' ministry improved greatly with the input of Aquila and Priscilla. His ministry was highly effective that the Ephesian brethren recommended him to the Achaian disciples. 

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If Aquila and Priscilla had badly damage the ministry and life of Apollos the Bible will also refer to it today. Ministry have become "if you can't give me I'm not ready to help you" (give and take). If you help someone because of what you're getting from him you're not helping his/her spiritual life and you're also telling him to do same to people around him.

 b) His deep understanding of salvation was lit by the Spirit. Having grasped the complete narrative of salvation, he became a valuable resource to the believers in Achaia who received grace (19:1).

 c) v. 27b: He greatly helped those who had believed through grace. *The brethren who just believed needed someone to teach, groom and make them rooted in Christ via the scriptures.* This, Apollos did via his versed knowledge of the scriptures with his fervent spirit (v. 24). 

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If you can't teach, groom and make anyone to be rooted in Christ via the Scriptures, don't try to damage it more. 

A newly converted Alhaja in Lagos told him, at the point she needed financial assistance to gain stability she fell into the hand of a minister that gave her a condition (if I assist you I must sleep with you at anytime and many times I want) she accepted because the man of God (from this CAC) that that connected them encouraged her to go ahead. It was a painful experience for her to the extent that she later returned to her Muslim religion! All this ministers involved won't go free and their families before God. So also we have uncountable minister of God out there that takes advantages of people's problems to defraud them in every aspect.

 d) v. 28: Apollos vehemently refuted the Jews publicly, in defence of the Gospel against their opposition, by showing them from the scriptures that Jesus is the Christ-impact of mentorship!

 e) What if Apollos hadn't been mentored by this godly couple - Aquilla and Pricsilla? Always aim to leave an unforgettable and impactful mark on those you encounter; it can benefit many people in the long run. 

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Each time any minister of God you help to become a better preacher achieve best result, he will always remember those people that God uses to work on his/her weaknesses. So also he will remember those that rejected and badly destroyed his life. Can you remember how many lives