006 The Art of Shepherding People
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What do we know about sheep?
What do we know about sheep?
Sheep are dumb.
Sheep can’t defend themselves.
Sheep are easily lost and have no sense of direction.
If they are separated from the flock they can’t find their way back.
Sheep are easily scared and scattered.
Sheep will follow whoever or whatever is leading them.
Sheep will simply follow the other sheep.
Sheep can’t get up on their own. - known as a “cast” sheep.
Sheep are emotional. - the know and bond with their shepherd.
In Eastern Turkey, about 1500 unattended sheep fell off a cliff while the shepherds were eating breakfast far away from the flock.
The first 400 fell to their death in a ravine, but the remaining 1100 were saved because the first 400 broke the fall. The first 400 sheep were a big, fluffy cushion for the other sheep.
One farmer said that if you have a bunch of sheep in a barn, stretch a rope across the door before you let them out.
When the sheep come out of the barn, the first few will jump over the rope. If you cut the rope, the remaining sheep will still jump over the “invisible rope” because it’s what the rest of the flock did.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
It isn’t only pastors that have been called to shepherd sheep!
It isn’t only pastors that have been called to shepherd sheep!
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,
13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.
14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
We are all called to shepherd sheep because we are all called to lead people.
We are all called to shepherd sheep because we are all called to lead people.
23 Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds,
This is easier in a small group.
A look a shepherding in Scripture.
A look a shepherding in Scripture.
Following God’s example...
11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Shepherds lead their sheep.
Shepherds lead their sheep.
12 Moses said to the Lord, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’
13 Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.”
14 And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Shepherds are present with their sheep.
Shepherds are present with their sheep.
7 and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land.
8 If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey.
9 Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.”
Shepherds protect their sheep.
Shepherds protect their sheep.
40 They asked, and he brought quail, and gave them bread from heaven in abundance.
41 He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river.
Shepherds feed their sheep.
Shepherds feed their sheep.
Following David’s example...
1 Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and flesh.
2 In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the Lord said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.’ ”
3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.
70 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds;
71 from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance.
72 With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.
David tenderly cared for his sheep.
David tenderly cared for his sheep.
He followed the nursing ewes to protect the little lambs.
David guided his sheep with a skillful hand.
David guided his sheep with a skillful hand.
What else do we see in scripture?
38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.
A shepherd shepherds his sheep with purpose.
A shepherd shepherds his sheep with purpose.
2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;
3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
A shepherd leads by example.
A shepherd leads by example.
Paul said follow me as I follow Christ.
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
A shepherd is willing to sacrifice for his sheep.
A shepherd is willing to sacrifice for his sheep.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
A shepherd diligently instructs his sheep.
A shepherd diligently instructs his sheep.
A shepherding recap...
A shepherding recap...
Shepherding is a theological task.
Shepherding is a theological task.
Teach them the Word of God.
Teach them how to study the Word of God.
Protect them from false teachers.
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
You need to be a theologian.
Shepherding is a practical task.
Shepherding is a practical task.
1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
You need to be a part of their life.
You can’t be a good shepherd if all you do is teach.
You can’t be a good shepherd if you simply expect them to follow.
Shepherding is a patient task.
Shepherding is a patient task.
14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
We don’t want to drive them. We want to lead them.
Sometimes we need to have patience and let the Holy Spirit work.
Never forget that shepherding is a long-term task.
Change rarely happens overnight.
A steady diet of God’s Word and the guidance of a shepherd over time is what make the difference.
Thus… shepherding is work.
You need to be ready to invest time.
You need to be prepared to be a part of their life.
The shepherds were in their field keeping watch...
Shepherding is messy.
“Glorious agony.”
Shepherding is a comprehensive task.
Shepherding is a comprehensive task.
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
To tend or to feed refers to all the tasks carried out by a shepherd.
Feeding, guiding, protecting.