Key Bible Verse: But Peter took him aside and corrected him (Matthew 16:22). Bonus Reading: Luke 22:31–34, 54–62

Johnny had "all the answers" to his company's problems. But he couldn't wait for God to put him in a position to share them with men willing to listen. I spent two hours with him one morning going over Bible wisdom about waiting on the Lord and accepting the authority placed over him—to no avail. At work, Johnny marched into his boss's office and unloaded his advice on how the company should be run. His boss's response: "Johnny, I think you'll be happier somewhere else. Be out of here by five."

I told Johnny off, too. But he started his own business and wanted to continue meeting with me; he thought I needed his business acumen in my law practice. I watched Johnny ignore my advice, disregard my precautions, even marry someone I opposed. To me, the whole relationship was a waste of time.

But Johnny told other men he'd learned to develop a deep relationship with Christ by spending time with me. He told my wife I'd taught him to go to the Lord with his struggles and ambition. Today Johnny runs a financial consulting business on scriptural principles. God patiently used our relationship even when I wanted to give up on the guy.

My Response: A guy who has benefited from spending time with me is …

Thought to Apply: The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery. —Mark Van Doren (poet and critic, 20th century)