Embedded Files
Last week, we opened the doors of Lydia’s home and saw how her hospitality helped build the early church. Today, we move into another kind of strength—the gift of teaching—and meet a woman whose quiet courage helped shape one of the most gifted preachers in the early church: Priscilla.
A Teacher in the Shadows
We find Priscilla in Acts 18, as Paul nears the end of his second missionary journey. She and her husband Aquila have been forced to flee Rome after the emperor Claudius expels the Jews due to disputes over a man named Chrestus—this is likely a reference to growing tensions over the identity of Jesus Christ.
Priscilla and Aquila settle in Corinth, where they meet Paul and bond over their shared trade as tentmakers. They work together, live together, and minister together. When Paul leaves Corinth for Syria, the couple follows him and eventually settles in Ephesus.
It’s there that we meet Apollos.
An Eloquent Voice, Still in Progress
Apollos is impressive. A Jew from Alexandria, he’s intelligent, articulate, passionate, and knowledgeable about Jesus—but there’s a gap in his understanding. He only knows the baptism of John. He hasn’t yet grasped the full gospel—the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit and the baptism in Jesus’ name.
Apollos begins preaching boldly in the synagogue. Priscilla and Aquila hear him and, rather than confront him publicly, they invite him into their home. There, they “explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26).
It’s a small detail with a massive impact.
Teaching with Wisdom and Love
What strikes me most about Priscilla is the way she uses her gift. She doesn’t correct to criticize—she corrects to build up. She sees potential in Apollos, and she wants to help him steward it fully.
Priscilla’s teaching empowers Apollos to go on and strengthen the faith of many. He powerfully defends Jesus as the Messiah, using Scripture to persuade and encourage (Acts 18: 27-28). Her quiet instruction becomes a megaphone for truth.
The Ripple Effect of Teaching
We don’t always think of teaching as world-changing. But Priscilla’s story shows us the exponential power of one well-placed, Spirit-led conversation. Because she taught Apollos, he taught the church—and who knows how many others were reached?
That’s the thing about teaching: its reach multiplies. A conversation at your kitchen table may ripple across generations. A moment of encouragement in a Bible study may anchor someone’s faith in a time of storm.
What Teaching Really Looks Like
Paul reminds us in Romans 12 that teaching is a gift—but it's also a calling:
“If your gift is teaching, then teach.” (Romans 12:7)
Teaching doesn’t require a seminary degree or a microphone. It might look like:
Explaining a Bible verse to a family member
Leading a small group through Scripture
Sharing what God is teaching you with a friend over coffee
Writing down truth for others to read and reflect on.
Teaching is simply helping others see more of Jesus. That’s what Priscilla did. And that’s what we’re invited to do, too.
Reflection Questions
As you think about Priscilla’s story, take a moment to reflect and share with others:
Who in your life has the gift of teaching? How has their voice shaped your walk with Jesus?
Where in your current season—home, church, work, friendships—might God be calling you to teach or guide others in truth?
What holds you back from stepping into a teaching role? Is it fear? Insecurity? Time?
What is one way you can teach or encourage someone this week in the truth of God’s Word?
Final Word: Quiet Faithfulness, Bold Impact
You don’t have to be on a platform to be a teacher in God’s kingdom. Sometimes the most powerful moments of spiritual formation happen behind the scenes, at a table, over dinner, in a one-on-one conversation where truth meets grace.
That’s the legacy of Priscilla—and it’s one we’re all invited to carry forward.
So whether you’re teaching from a podium or simply sharing truth over a cup of coffee: teach faithfully with love, and trust God with the ripple effect.
Google Sites
Report abuse