In Acts 18, we see that Aquila and Priscilla were a married couple who knew Paul well. Because they were tentmakers, they spent a great deal of time with Paul. Paul taught them about the Word of God and helped them build a strong relationship with Christ. Aquila and Priscilla faced a lot of persecution because the Jewish people accused Paul publicly of speaking against Jewish customs and laws, but they remained strong disciples.

When Paul went to spread the Gospel in Antioch, he left Aquila and Priscilla behind. During this time, the couple met a Jew named Apollos. Apollos was a well-known, religious man. He was very familiar with the scriptures and taught accurately about Jesus, but he knew only the baptism of John. He spoke very boldly in the synagogue about his beliefs. Aquila and Priscilla invited Apollos into their home and explained the way of God to him more adequately. After Apollos had received instruction from Aquila and Priscilla, he went to Achaia and became a great help to the disciples there. Apollos was able to refute the Jews in public debate and show them in the scriptures how Jesus was the Christ.

From this story, we can see a number of things. First, Aquila and Priscilla were not afraid to approach Apollos even though he was very confident about his beliefs and possessed a great deal of Biblical knowledge. Secondly, they had learned a great deal from Paul and could explain essential information about Christianity to Apollos. Finally, they practiced hospitality. Their desire to love and share with Apollos resulted in advancing the Kingdom in Achaia.

Can We Be Modern-Day Aquilas and Priscillas?

God's Word does not change even though times do. While we may not face the same exact circumstances as Aquila and Priscilla, we can still imitate their teachable, loving characters.

We can also use our marriages to glorify God. Let's look at some practicals.

Working as a Team

Aquila and Priscilla worked together. In Acts 18, neither one is mentioned apart from the other. God can't use our marriages if we are selfish, unable to see one another's point of view, or argumentative.

Our marriages should reflect God's light and love to others. In order to have a marriage that other people recognize as successful and stable, we need to communicate effectively, be aware of each other's needs and schedules, and be committed to building each other up as much as possible.

Raising Godly Children

Paul made it clear in Ephesians that a person's ability to raise their children is a reflection of their spiritual maturity. God cannot trust us with the lives of others if we neglect to demonstrate his love and teach our children how to follow his commands. How our children behave in public is usually a sign of how they are being disciplined and nurtured in private. We need to make sure that we are spending time with our children, giving them all the love and nourishment they need. We also must discipline our children fairly and consistently. Doing this can require a great deal of communication with other parents who have raised or are in the process of raising model children. Also, reading Christian books and articles about this subject can help us come up with ways to offer our children the help they need.

Making Our Homes Warm and Inviting

Disciples live busy lives, so keeping our homes neat and beautifully decorated can be a challenge. Sometimes, we think we don't have the money or time to make our homes pleasant havens. We do need to start to see this as a priority though. We can't have effective Bible studies and discussions, social events, and discipling times if our homes are not in order.

One way to make a home more elegant and organized is to get rid of all the clutter. We can set aside some time to go through all our materials and find items to pitch, donate, or sell. A good rule of thumb is to make the decor in our home simple enough that dusting and surface cleaning take no longer than a half -hour. Another strategy is to practice the "clean as you go" rule. This means not leaving dishes in the sink overnight and taking a few minutes each day to pick up after yourself.

If you're not gifted in the area of decorating, find a friend to help you. This could be a good opportunity for you to foster a bond with someone else. Search craft stores, dollar stores, resale shops, and yard sales for bargains on plants, wall hangings, and organizational tools. Find innovative ways to display your hobbies and collections. Also, make sure to have some items in your home that act as conversation pieces. Photos, heirlooms, and cultural art can be good choices.

Using Our Homes to Reach Others

Aquila and Priscilla brought Apollos into their home so he could have a deeper understanding of God's Word. They already had a connection with him because he had knowledge of the scriptures and so did they.

Have you thought of ways that you can connect with your neighbors? Do you have some things in common with them?

Developing friendships with our neighbors may eventually lead some of them into meaningful relationships with God. Using our homes as places to work out, establish playgroups for children, hold block parties, or form Bible talks can be an effective aspect of evangelism.

One More Look

Take just one more look at Acts 18. Pay close attention to the far-reaching effects Aquila and Priscilla's teamwork had on the early beginnings of Christianity. God can use our marriages in the same powerful way, but it takes a well developed vision and a steadfast commitment to make it happen. What a thrill it is to realize that God wants to work in each of our marriages to bless his Kingdom.