What is Sheparding gift?

March 8th 2026

Series: Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Sermon Title: What is Sheparding gift?

Topic: What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and in this part, specifically APEST gifts.

Key Passages: ADD

Topic: Holy Spirit, Gifts, Evangelism

Sermon Blurb: In today’s message, we will look at people who are gifted by the Holy Spirit to be a shepherd and how that plays out in their lives.

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Dedication, Baptism, or Ministry Highlight (1st Sunday, every even month):

Sermon:

Hello, Family Church!

        Welcome, whether you are here in person or online.

Family Moment –

Start with something personal from your family life recently to help people get to know you.

Celebrate salvation/rededications/baptisms last week.

Celebrate new disciples and disciple-makers.

PAUSE

If you are new to Family Church, we are SO happy you are here today!

Today, we continue our series on the ways the Holy Spirit gifts us in the New Testament.

Gifts can be spiritual.

Gifts can be physical.

Gifts can be relational.

Gifts can come in all different shapes and sizes.

And this part of this series will walk down several different roads.

As we learn about the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

And we are all NOT gifted the same by God.

        We do NOT have all the same talents.

        Abilities.

        And so on.

And that is a GOOD thing.

PAUSE

Let me put the gifts we are talking about currently on the screens so you can see those…

Holy Spirit APEST Gifts: A-Apostolic P- Prophetic E- Evangelist S- Shepard T- Teacher

Each week, we will be going over one gift.

Three weeks ago, we spent the entire message looking at the Apostolic gift.

        And if you are gifted apositically, what does that mean for you in school, at work, and in the church?

High level….

        Apostolic people are the leaders of leaders.

        The people who start new companies.

        Launch new initiatives.

        Bring new sports to a school.

        And so on.

Two weeks ago, we are going to talk about the second gift on the screen.

People who are gifted prophetically, how will that play out in school, at work, and in church?

High level….

        Prophetic people hear God and speak God’s heart

They call people to account

They reveal God’s perspective

They discern spiritual reality

And so on.

Last week, we talked about people gifted evangelistically and how that will play out in school, at work, and in church.

And if you missed those messages, go back and listen to them online.

This week, we will talk about people who are gifted to shepherd, how will that play out in school, at work, and in church?

Then come back next week as we wrap up this series talking about how people are gifted to teach and how that will play out in school, at work, and in church.

PAUSE

For me…(Adjust for you)

Now, when you think about someone with a sheparding gift…    

        I am sure a lot of you think about Pastors.

Anyone want to guess where this gift landed in my test?

DEAD LAST!!!!

This is my LOWEST gifting.

Which I am sure surprises some of you.

But honestly…it is true.

        It did not surprise any of the pastors on staff that this was my last gift.

I am NOT the most compassionate person in the world.

I am NOT the person that loves hospital visits, counseling, and so on.

That just isn’t how God wired me.

Remember my number 1 gifting is Apostolic.

        Leading.

        Creating new things.

        And so on.

This is the #1 gift for Pastor Derek, Pastor Dave, and Pastor Mike, who most of you know.

        That is why Pastor Derek was here as the Campus Pastor.

That is why, when Pastor Derek left to go help launch our Haven Campus, I hired Pastor Dave.

        Because they are wired in ways I am not.

        We complement each other.

        And we can all focus on what we are gifted at.

And if you were NOT here when we took the test to see all that…after service ADD PLACE TO GO…

        Pick up that super short and easy test, and that will help you as we continue in this series.

        And if you are watching this online you can download this test under the resources tab on our website.

PAUSE

And let me say this…

        If you are like me and caring for others is NOT your gift…

Don’t tune me out!

        You can learn a lot about how other people's minds work in this series.

        And if you know how someone like me thinks, it will help you interact with your boss at work.

        Maybe a teacher.

        Maybe a parent.

        Maybe a partner.

        And so on.

So even if you are NOT gifted this way…

        Stay dialed in and take good notes today because this will help you!

Everyone has aspects of each gift, but most people have one or two dominant areas.

Your gifting can develop over time.

And all roles are equally valuable to the community.

PAUSE

So, jump into the Bible.

If you have your Bible with you —and I hope you do —open it to

Ephesians 4

New Person Bible Connection:

If you do not have a Bible, that is ok!

        After service, we will give you an AMAZING leather-bound study Bible!

Just go to ADD YOUR CAMPUS PLACE and get one for FREE!!!

Or you can always download the Family Church app and follow along on your phone as well.

Simply download the app and click "Sermon Notes" on the main page.

Here is something interesting about the APEST gifts…

These ahat the Bible says.

Ephesians 4:11-16 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,

And the what church?

        Pastors…

        Now I am sure some of you are thinking…

        UMMMMM….

        You said Shepard, and this verse says Pastors…

                Yes…

        If you look in the study Bibles we give away down below in the commentary, it will also say shepherd.

        Or, if you read the English Standard version, it says "shepherd," along with many other translations.

        That is the gift we are going to talk about today.

12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Let me remind you…

Look at what Jesus said…

These APEST gifts have a clearly defined purpose by Jesus.

        Look at verse 12 in your Bible.

These gifts are “to build up or equip” the church…

        So, the people of the church can do “works of service.”

So, the PRIMARY reason we are gifted with these gifts by God is to build God’s church….

        Do not miss that in fact…

        Why don’t you write that down…

The primary purpose of the APEST gifts is to build up God’s church.

        (Repeat)

And it goes on to say….

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.

15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

You can stop reading there…

        Note those ending words.

“Each part does its work.”

We are all gifted differently by God, and that is GOOD!

PAUSE

So….

        Let’s talk about the gift of being a pastor or shepherd.

PAUSE

The shepherd is the person who loves to guide people.

The person who loves to protect people.

The person who loves to provide for people.

Shepherds have a unique ability to be caregivers of the community.

They focus on the protection and spiritual maturity of God's flock.

They naturally cultivate a loving network of relationships.

Shepherds value stability to the detriment of the mission.

They can also foster an unhealthy dependence between the church and themselves.

        Or the people who follow them and themselves.

PAUSE

Look at the role description in your notes….

People who are gifted as a Shepherd: • Help us reflect the love of God to others. • Create safe people for people to open up. • Enjoy walking through difficult situations with others. • Protect others and guide them toward the truth.

Now I am sure some of you are wondering…

Ok, so how will this play out in non-pastoral life?

Like being a pastor, or shepherd, in church makes sense….

        But outside it????

How does this play out for you at school or work?

If you are gifted this way in school.

You’re the type of person who will let for the excluded students.

You will try to help resolve conflicts.

You will be the one people know will always listen.

PAUSE

If you are gifted this way in the working world.

You will create healthy team environments.

You mediate between coworkers.

You check in on struggling people.

You help develop people personally.

People will see you are trustworthy and safe.

        You’re the office counselor or gossip person if you are not living for Jesus LOL!!!!

PAUSE

If you are gifted this way in the church world.

You will probably lead a small church and LOVE it!

This is probably why most churches are around 100 people.

Because if you look it up, a person knows sociably around 100-150 people.

And if you are a PEOPLE person…and you want to love people well…you cannot if you do not know them.

So, most churches stay small and manageable for one person to shepherd or pastor.

If this person is in a larger church, they will probably be a small groups pastor, care pastor, or something along those lines that lets them help others.

PAUSE

So, let’s learn more about it from the Bible so you can better understand who God created you to be and what He created you to do.

Let’s start with what does “Shepherd” mean Biblically?

        You will see the definition in your notes.

        Shepherd: A servant-leader who lovingly cares for, feeds, leads, protects, and equips God’s people. A person who models Jesus in character and conduct, so the flock matures in faith and obedience to God.

Jesus is the best example of this.

        Let me show you a passage where Jesus explains not only that he was a Shepherd…but what they do.

Like John 10…move there in your Bible.

        John 10 is known as the chapter about the Good Shepherd.

        Let’s start reading at verse 1.

John 10:1-16 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.

2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

        So here we start seeing these characteristics we have talked about.

        A shepherd knows his sheep.

        Knows is friends by name.

        Knows his employees or co-workers by name.

        Knows all the students by name.

        And this person leads them somewhere…

        Verse 4.

4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

        There is another interesting one…

        The shepherd is leading people toward a better place…

        Not any place…

        A better place that gives an abundant life!  

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

        There is another interesting part to shepherds…

        They will lay down their life for their cause.

        Their company.

        They will stick up for their friend in a fight.

        They will stick up for a co-worker.

12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.

13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

And Jesus ends with the reality the Shepherds are evangelistic!     

        They are going to build the church up.

        Or friend group up.

        Or company.

        And so on.

Shepherds will reach out to people OUTSIDE their group and try and bring them into the fold.

Do you see it church?

PAUSE

So, like with prior weeks…let me give you some markers from the Bible for Shepherd gifted people.

Let’s start with what the prophet Jeremiah said about shepherds.

Jeremiah 3:15 I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

I want to lead out with this because you will see some overlap heading into next week on the gift of teachers.

        When I was doing my research on this, I found that MOST pastors are highly gifted in Shepherding….

        And you would think also in teaching because they have to do that all the time.

        But just because you have to do something does NOT mean you're gifted at it.

        But…you will see there is a lot of overlap in these two giftings…

5 Marks of the Shepherd gift: 1) Deep compassion.

Shepherds feel with people.

Shepherds are moved internally by the condition of others.

They don’t just see pain…they feel it with others.

Jesus demonstrated this in:

Matthew 9:36 When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

The Greek word for compassion means to be stirred in your inner being.

Shepherds carry people’s burdens emotionally and spiritually.

They really do live like it says in:

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

A shepherd doesn’t rush people through pain.

They sit with them.

        They cry with them.

        They naturally follow up with people.

If you regularly:

Feel others’ pain deeply.

Lose sleep over people’s struggles.

Pray emotionally for others.

You may have a shepherding gift.

2) You protect the vulnerable.

Now, again like prior weeks…

This is all in the eye of the beholder.

You can define the vulnerable as something ungodly and want to protect that because of this gifting…

But like all gifts…they can be used for God or not.

Shepherds defend the wounded and attacked.

Shepherds are not passive.

They have a protective instinct.

That is why Jesus said in John 10:11-13 I am the good shepherd… the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

And he went on to say:

The hired hand sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep… but the shepherd stays.

Shepherds do not run from protecting something they care for.

Shepherds:

Stand up for the weak.

Speak when others stay silent.

Guard people from harm—spiritually, emotionally, relationally.

A shepherd may be gentle on the outside…but mess with the wrong person under his/her care and WATCH OUT!

If injustice,

abuse,

false teaching,

or spiritual manipulation angers you,

that protective instinct may be God-given.

3) You care about community.

Shepherds build healthy relational environments

Shepherds think in terms of people together.

Not just individuals.

That is why when the early church started it was communal…

Acts 2:44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.

Or why Hebrews said:

Hebrews 10:24–25 Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together.

—

Shepherds:

Notice relational fractures.

Promote unity.

Create belonging.

Shepherds don’t just grow crowds—they cultivate family.

If you instinctively:

Notice who feels left out

Connect people relationally

Create safe spaces

That reflects this heart from God.

4) You walk with people through hard seasons.

Shepherds stay present in valleys

Shepherds are not fair-weather leaders.

They remain when it’s messy.

That is why almost ever pastor will read Psalm 23 with you when your going through something hard…

Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.

Notice: God does not remove the valley…He provides presence.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 We were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives.

Shepherds don’t fix everything…that is not their gifting…

But they never abandon people.

If people naturally call you:

In crisis.

During grief.

When they need to process something.

It may be because God wired you to walk with them.

PAUSE

And let me give you one more…

5. You bring emotional and spiritual healing.

Shepherds bind wounds and restore hearts

This is the clearest Old Testament picture of shepherding.

Ezekiel 34:4 The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up.

Shepherds help people heal through:

Listening

Prayer

Truth spoken gently

Long-term care

Shepherds don’t rush healing—they respect the process.

If people consistently experience:

Peace after talking with you.

Clarity after prayer.

Hope after encouragement.

You may be walking in shepherding gift.

PAUSE

So, let’s pivot….

Let’s talk about how this gift will show up in your life more...

Let’s start with the students.

Students… in school,

Students with the shepherding/pastoral gift:

•       You care for excluded students.

•       You help resolve conflicts.

•       You encourage friends emotionally and spiritually.

•       You listen deeply.

•       People come to you for advice.

PAUSE

Adults in the workplace…

•       You create healthy team environments.

•       You mediate between coworkers.

•       You check in on struggling people.

•       You help develop people personally.

•       You are trustworthy and safe.

In the Church…Shepherds:

•       Nurture small groups

•       Care for marriages

•       Walk with hurting families

•       Ensure spiritual health

•       Counsel and encourage

•       Help people mature in Christ

They bring warmth, family, and care to the church.

PAUSE

Church, shepherds help us reflect the heart of Jesus.

They show us what God’s tenderness feels like.

They make the church a home for the broken.

Shepherds embody the love that says:

You matter.

You belong.

I’m with you.

PAUSE

Let me give you a life application today.

        If you are new or newer to Family Church, we LOVE to end our messages with something for you to talk about with someone else.

        Something to help you apply the message to your life.

So here is this week’s Life Application…

Life Application: If you have the Shepherd gift, pray about how you could use that to build God’s Kingdom more. If you do not, pray about how you could support someone who does in expanding God’s Kingdom. As a result of today’s message, I will….

Prayer:

        Make sure to do a salvation call!

Offering:

Thank you all for being here today!

        If you would like to continue your worship through giving, there are offering boxes by the doors as you exit, or behind me on the screens. You can also see other ways to give here at Family Church.

        You can also place any connection cards you filled out in there.

***Each week we want to highlight a different way to give.