Three Cities and Three Lessons

1. CORINTH - The preparation of a missional couple

• Acts 18:2–3 NLT — 2 There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. 3 Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers, just as he was.
• Together in WORK - They set their hearts to the same work (tent- making).
• Together in VALUES - They were in agreement about putting the kingdom first in their lives (Matthew 6:33).
• Together in GROWTH - They opened their home to the apostle Paul.

2. EPHESUS - The purpose of a missional couple

• Together in MENTORING - They coached Apollos together.
  • Acts 18:26 NLT — When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.
• Together in HOSPITALITY - They had a church in their home.
  • 1 Corinthians 16:19 NLT — The churches here in the province of Asia send greetings in the Lord, as do Aquila and Priscilla and all the others who gather in their home for church meetings.

3. ROME - The persistence of a missional couple

• Romans 16:3–4 NLT — 3 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. 4 In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches.
• Together in FORGIVENESS - They let the past go and didn’t let it define them. Together in FLEXIBILITY - They went from Rome, to Corinth, to Ephesus, to Rome, and back to Ephesus in 20 years.
• Together in CRISIS -
  • Their home most probably burned in the fire of Rome.
  • They stuck out their necks for the apostle Paul.
  • They were with one another in pain.