CHURCH LEADERSHIP (SHEPHERDING)

As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

In this session, you will explore what the Bible has to say about the type of leadership Jesus desires for the church by learning about the next two responsibilities of a leader: shepherding and being an example of growing in character.

LOOKING BACK

Heart of a Leader: Evaluating our Walk with God (15 minutes)

• Get into groups of 3-4 people and discuss the following:
  • What happened as you trusted God with your goals from our last meeting?
  • In what ways have you sensed the Holy Spirit at work in your life since our last meeting?

Motivation and Encouragement

In John 4:34

³⁴ ‘My food,’ said Jesus, ‘is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.

, Jesus said His purpose for coming to earth was to “do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.” He did the Father’s will, even to the point of sacrificing Himself. But what is the work of the Father? Was it only for Jesus to die as a sacrifice? Before He dies, Jesus said “I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave me to do” (John 17: 4).

⁴ I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.

 

The Father’s work for Him was to make disciples and launch a growing community who would carry the message of new life to people around the world. This new life was a result of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The work of Jesus was to make disciples who could make disciples. This work reveals the will and purpose of the Father on earth as it is done in heaven. Jesus told his disciples, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21). 

²¹ Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’

To align our hearts to His, we must pursue that same work – we must make disciples. We also have to live out the will of the Father, which requires surrendering our lives daily.

LOOKING UP

New Lesson (30 minutes)

Review: Four Responsibilities of a Leader

1. Equiping believers to do works of service.
2. Shepherding Christ’s sheep.
3. Being an example.
4. Developing other Leaders.

Discovery Bible Study #1  – Shepherding Christ's Sheep

Read your assigned verses and then tell the group:

• What caught your attention (or what did you like best) and why?
• What do these verses tell you about shepherding Christ's sheep?

Matthew 9:35-36

³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Spirit-led Insights:
(click outside box to save)

Philippians 2:3-4

³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Spirit-led Insights:
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1 Thessalonians 5:14

¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Spirit-led Insights:
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Acts 20:27-31

²⁷ For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.²⁸ Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.²⁹ I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.³⁰ Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.³¹ So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

Spirit-led Insights:
(click outside box to save)

1 Peter 5:1-2

¹ To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:² Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;

Spirit-led Insights:
(click outside box to save)

Discuss:

1. How would you rate yourself as a shepherd?
2. What are some things you could do to improve?
3. What are you going to try between now and the next time we meet?

Core Principles

Church leaders must shepherd Christ’s sheep by caring and watching over them. It requires compassion. It requires looking intentionally at ways we can care for other’s needs. Paul warned us that there would be people who want to destroy or mislead others, so we must pay attention to those in our care.

LOOKING FORWARD

Preparing for Mission: Evaluating our Leadership (20 minutes)

• In small groups, have each participant evaluate their strengths and weaknesses in shepherding believers. Have them make a plan on how they can improve.
  • In what ways are you caring for and watching over those you lead?
  • How can you further develop each trait?
• Write “I will, by when” statements. Include “Who will you teach this lesson to?”

Sending the Laborers

• Reinforce the overall vision—a church or faith community for every 1,000 people.
• Spend time in prayer:
  • committing the goals that were set to the Lord.
  • for God to raise up a movement of churches.
  • for more laborers to come out of the harvest.