Monday: Following the Lord
- Looking at Psalm 23, what are some key features that apply to the Lord Jesus? Can you think of some examples of these features in the life of the Lord?
- Luke 22:35 – Provides there was no lack
- Care, Companionship, Comfort
- Exclusivity “My sheep”
- Leading, accompanying , following his disciples
- Restores, comforts (Example Peter John 21)
- John 6:10 – Makes to lie down; caused the people to sit down
- Mark 5:19,20 – Sought for the one man
- Romans 8:32 – No fear!
- John 13 – Serving; set a table
- Review John 10:1-30. Discuss some of the characteristics of the True Shepherd seen in this chapter.
- Savior, that gave his life to give life to the sheep (abundant)
- Esther – willing to lay down life for her people, Esther 4:16
- Leads to green pasture
- Appointed by the Father
- Knows His sheep; His sheep know and follow him
- Searches, feeds, brings them to a good pasture (Eze. 34:14)
- Guards the sheep – “Whom seek ye? ” When they came to arrest Him
- We see a beautiful picture of the Lord Jesus as the True Shepherd in Luke 15:1-5. What can we learn from this and what we read in Hebrews 13:20?
- Approachable
- Brings the sheep home – on his shoulder
- Strength required to do this
- Receives us as we are
- Cares for the individual
- Unrelenting – searches till he finds
- Rejoices in recovery
- Secured by His blood
- The Lord Jesus does the work of a shepherd in Luke 24:13-36. What principles of shepherding can you find in this passage? What are similar occasions when the Lord served as a shepherd?
- Drew near
- Asked and listened to them
- Walked with them
- Taught the scriptures – concerning Himself
- True food to nourish them
- Affected their hearts
- Communed with them – in breaking bread
- Restored them
- Stood in their midst
Tuesday: Guiding the Flock
- Examine Ezekiel 34:1-11. What can we learn from what is said about the shepherds mentioned here? What are some necessary moral qualifications of shepherding?
- Motivated by love for God and love for the sheep
- Selflessness – putting others before themselves
- Shepherds are for the sheep – not the sheep for the shepherds
- Shepherds must be selected by the Holy Spirit – Acts 20:28
- Takes responsibility as appointed
- Moral authority, integrity, confidentiality, empathy
- Recognition of who the sheep belong too – They are the Lord’s
- According to the following Scriptures, who calls or ordains one to be a shepherd of the sheep of God (Ex. 3:10-11, 2 Sam. 7:8, Jn. 21:15-17, Acts 13:1-2, 20:28)?
- Prepared – Moses spent 40 years in “training”
- God called Moses, Jesus Christ called Peter, Spirit of God – the elders at Ephesus
- Some are specifically called and gifted…
- All have a responsibility to care one for another
- Review John 21:15-17 and 1 Peter 5:2-5. What are some specific things to emphasize?
- What can we learn from 2 Samuel 24:17 about the heart of a shepherd?
- The Lord’s feeds his sheep – under shepherds are one of the means
- Lambs – the younger
- Sheep – more experienced
- There is a reward (crown of glory) for faithful under shepherds.
- What principles for shepherding can be found at Antioch in Acts 11:20-26?
- Recognized co-laborers in feeding the sheep
- Encouraged to cleave to the Lord
- What is the relationship between shepherds and overseers (the roles of pastor and bishop)? Consider Acts 20:28.
- Overseer looks at and is concerned with the local needs
- Takes heed to themselves and then the flock of God
- Humility of mind characterizes both…
- Guard against dangers to the sheep
- Done so willingly – 1Pet 5:2
Wednesday: Building Relationships
- Moses was called to shepherd God’s sheep. Based on Deuteronomy 9:13-29, what is one of the most important steps in being an under-shepherd?
- Humility marked Moses
- Prayed for the people(sheep)
- Prayed for an individual(Aaron)
- Care for the condition of people cost Moses in fasting and prayer
- Identified with the people
- Desire and motivation was that God’s interest be maintained – The people were His
- The Lord Jesus uses three different expressions when speaking to Peter in John 21:15-17. What can we learn about building relationships with the sheep? Why is this important?
- Peter needed to be reminded of his own weakness
- Necessity of love for Christ
- Lambs – may point out relationships with children
- What is appropriate for the lambs.
- What does 1 Samuel 17:17-18 reveal as one motivation of a shepherd? What are some other scriptural examples of correct motives for shepherds?
- Provides help to feed them
- Comes from God the Father what he has given for his own
- Obedient to fulfill the Father’s will(desire)
- Cares for how the sheep are getting on
- Acts with urgency in care
- Got up early
- Adjusted priority – David made provisions for the sheep in his absence
- Seeks a response for God.
- How would 2 Timothy 2:2 and Titus 2:4 apply to shepherding?
- Being an example of the lessons taught and admonishment given…
- Titus – instructs older sister to instruct younger sisters
- Instruction is best received from a strong relationship
- How should shepherds act when they see a need among the sheep, yet the sheep are resistant to change?
- Prayer and patience
- Perseverance
- Submission and humility
- Meekness, apt to teach
- Ready to forgive
- Seek for a right word from the Lord
Thursday: Listening to Others
- How does James 1:19-20 apply to shepherding the sheep God has entrusted to us?
- As God invites us to call unto him because he hears us
- Listen attentively – undistracted
- Responsive to the word of God
- Listening will be demonstrated by actions
- With carefulness – more than just words
- From a loving relationship – “my beloved brethren”
- Well placed questions may provoke more dialog
- Open ended question – promote communication
- What can we learn from Jacob considering the life of a shepherd (Gen. 31:38-40, 33:13-14)?
- Continued watchfulness – day and night
- Personal investment in the sheep
- Accountability to the Lord for the sheep – Heb 13:17
- Leads at the right pace…
- Why is listening to the sheep so important? What must we do if we are going to hear the sheep? How does Proverbs 18:13,17 fit in here? Can you think of other scriptures?
- Necessary to listen in problem resolution
- Listen before speaking – speaking without listening is folly
- Essential to hear all sides of the issue…
- First account is not necessarily the whole story
- Consider Luke 12:13-15. What should shepherds learn about how to handle complaints?
- Be careful not to be an ally to a side…
- Discernment required for how and what to respond to a complaint
- Response should be from the scripture – the mind of Lord
- Need to pray for wisdom on how/what to answer
- Even if shepherds are not aware of specific concerns, there are certain needs that always apply. What can we learn from Galatians 4:19 and other verses as we seek to help the sheep?
- Be enlightened – Eph. 1:18,19
- Pursue Peace – Rom 14:19
- Spiritual growth – 2 Pet 1:4-7
- Resist temptation – Eph. 6:10
