Shepherding a Group for Growth

Shepherding group for growth.

Shepherding group for growth.

Cultivating genuine fellowship and spiritual growth. Care Group leadership 101

What does it mean to "shepherd" people?

Consider passage about shepherding:

— 1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

A Shepard is essentially:

A servant of people

A person who provides spiritual care and oversight

This passage describes the heart of the shepherd as one who:

Does not serve because of pressure or guilt

Does not serve for selfish reasons

Does not serve in an overbearing way

But rather…

Service because of desire

Served with enthusiasm and excitement

Serves as an inspiring example to all

The Care Group leader shepherds his group in three primary ways:

Facilitating genuine Christian fellowship by providing opportunities for mutual ministry and multiplication ministry (). This activity is primarily one of leadership.

Caring for specific needs of group members (acts 20:28). This activity is primarily one of service and encouragement.

Keeping watch over the spiritual lives of group members (). This activity is primarily one of oversight.

Jesus Christ is our perfect model for what it means to be a shepherd (, , ).