2 Timothy 3:16-17

Reproofing and Correction

The Sunday Scripture Reading for September remains the same: 

"All scripture is God -breathed, and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Consider the phrase

“He doesn't know what he doesn't know.”

I've used that line myself when referring to new employees at my workplace, I was responsible for mentoring. It takes a while for the fog to clear when people are put into new situations. Everyone else has an understanding of the common goal. Those who surround the newbie are in the know about the importance of the details that need to be addressed. While the rookie thinks he is working hard and doing what is expected, the others are picking up the slack.

As the numbers on the desk calendar are peeled away, his co-workers correct, redirect, explain, and allow mistakes in order to provide understanding and clarity. Through this process of correction, reproofing, experience, and guidance, the new guy settles into a place within the ranks because he now “gets it.”

Perhaps there was a business manual available to assist with understanding the common practices involved with the job. Maybe the new employee was referred to the internet to view a web cam or provided video training CD’s to get an overview of his role and responsibilities. Though valuable tools, the importance of the personal relationships accompanying those training opportunities cannot be overstated.

If we are true Christ followers, we are also spiritual mentors. We have a God given training manual at our fingertips we call the Bible; His Holy Word. We can provide this tool to others, but must also model, guide, correct, and reproof in order to bring our brothers and sisters to a place of understanding their responsibilities as Christians. To help them know what they don't know. 

2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction.”

To Be and to Make...

Acts 18: 24-25 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue.

Discipleship could be described as mentoring on steroids. Wikipedia says mentorship is a personal developmental relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps guide a less experienced or less knowledgeable person. True mentoring is more than just answering occasional questions, it is about an ongoing relationship of learning, dialogue, and challenge.

It is conspicuous that this same source, when asked to for a definition of discipleship, only speaks of Jesus and those who follow His teaching. Discipleship and following Christ are used synonymously. The site further points out discipleship entails transformation from some other World view and practice into that of Jesus Christ. 

When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.(Verse 26)

Priscilla and Aquila came alongside Apollos and began a mentoring and a discipling relationship. Apollos was knowledgeable, but there were a few things he had yet to learn.  Don't we all?  No matter how much schooling and personal experience I may possess, there is always more to be learned.  We are never too old or too smart to have a mentor.

It is also wise to know that we are to share the experience and knowledge we do possess, with others.  Every good mentor has a mentor.  When we add Jesus to that equation we have a Discipleship moment.  A true Disciple shares not only their knowledge but their lives. Especially their life with Jesus.  

When Priscilla and Aquila did this, they equipped Apollos for the work that had been set before him.

Acts 18:23-28