Study

​Have you ever noticed how bookstores are packed with books on how to be a successful leader?  Many aspire to be the quintessential person in charge.  Did you know that the most authoritative book in the world on leadership is the Bible? Not only does the Bible give us the inspiring example of the perfect leader—Jesus Christ, it also is packed with descriptive accounts of other men and women who were fantastic leaders.  

The key to discovering the qualities that make worthy leaders requires that we spend in-depth time not just looking at the stated words in a descriptive passage but also meditating on what is implied.  For example, there are obvious qualities underlined for a gifted leader in the passage below. Carefully study the five verses Luke uses to describe Apollos and then see if you can spot further implied qualities that reveal him as a model leader.  
 
Meditation
Acts 18:24-28—A Jew named Apollos, a native Alexandrian, an eloquent man who was powerful in the Scriptures, arrived in Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught the things about Jesus accurately, although he knew only John's baptism. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. After Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him home and explained the way of God to him more accurately. When he wanted to cross over to Achaia, the brothers wrote to the disciples urging them to welcome him. After he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace. For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.
 
Stated Qualities:                                                                            
Eloquent        
Fervent in spirit        
Teacher          
Accurate        
Bold spokesman       
Apologist                                                       
 
Implied Qualities:

• Effective learner with a brilliant mind—Apollos was from Alexandria which during his lifetime was one of the three great centers of learning in the world.  By Luke’s account we can tell he had a sharp mind and that he was very educated.            
• God-centered—he focused on the Scriptures as opposed to pleasing his flesh
• Teachable—he listened to what Priscilla and Aquila taught him
• Greatly respected—Priscilla and Aquila valued him enough to take him into their home and invest time in him; the brothers believed in his leadership enough to write a letter to those in Achaia to welcome him
• Effective trainer—he helped those who already believed in their faith (see 1 Corinthians 3:6 for further proof)

 
Just as we can learn much about leaders by meditating in Scripture, so we can learn much about life burrowing further into God’s Word.  This is why I think all of us need to invest daily time in Bible Study—there is so much wisdom to be had!  Hmm, it’s time to do some more digging!
 
Inspiration
Those who do not study are only cattle dressed up in men's clothes.—Chinese Proverb 
The more we study, the more we discover our ignorance.—Percy Bysshe Shelley
 
©2007 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)