Chapter 4
The idea of authority is addressed in chapter 4.
The culture has definitely changed over the years. How do you see the culture affecting the concept of authority?
As leaders in the community how do you view your right and responsibility to exercise shepherding care?
How do you feel you are balancing the responsibility to lead verses the “lording it over them?”
I am hoping that asking questions can help with a conversation starting.
Chapter 1
Today, the conversation begins. I hope this does not become a burden, but an opportunity for growth. The book begins with a look at the Old Testament and two main shepherds, Moses and David. While each of them had an actual flock of sheep, they both led a “flock” of people much larger than the ones they had in the earlier part of their life. But, God was using this to prepare them for their future leadership responsibilities. I hope this book and this conversation is a preparation time for future responsibilities that God will bring to each and every one of us.
My answers:
1. Why is the metaphor of shepherd appropriate for the relationship between God and his people?
I love this word picture of God as a shepherd. It is very clear that “the Lord is the ultimate provider, protector, and guide for his sheep.”(12) He is the source and sustainer of life for his flock. I think of Psalm 23 when I think about this metaphor. I think about how he “makes me lie down,” “he leads me,” “he restores,” and “he guides.” But, the image of God as Shepherd “is often found in a redemptive context.”(12) All throughout scripture we see the theme of his redemption of his people, pulling his sheep out of the muck and mire and putting their feel on solid ground.
Additionally, this image also leads to the image of his people as sheep. Sheep are dumb animals and I don’t really care for that analogy, but compared to God, I am really dumb. He knows exactly where the good grass is and can protect me from harm. ”Sheep…are always completely dependent on their shepherd. They never outgrow their need for the shepherd to care for them, feed them, lead them, and protect them.”(13)
2. Compare and contrast the imagery of shepherd and father as descriptions of the Lord’s relationship with his people.
Well, this is going to be brief, but a shepherd cares for his flock because that is his job. A father should care for his children because of a love for his family and his bloodline. A shepherd may only be caring for his flock because it “pays the bills.” A father does not get paid (that would be nice) for fulfilling his role as a father.
3. Why is the metaphor of shepherd appropriate for those who would lead the people of God?
As we will see throughout this book the main roles of a shepherd are to know the flock, feed the flock, lead the flock and protect the flock. I think these four qualities become key in the leadership of God’s people as well. We see this metaphor all throughout scripture and will see it again in the next chapter in the New Testament. As a leader in the church I need to be aware of and know those that God has put in my care and be able to lead them, feed them, and protect them from those that would lead them astray.
4. Using the chart follow and identify the parallels between the Lord’s indictment of Israel’s faithless elders, his commitment to shepherd them, and the shepherd to come. Discuss implications for your ministry as shepherds of his flock today.
- Ezekiel 34:1-10: The Lord’s Indictment
- These shepherds took care of themselves and did not care for the flock that was entrusted to them. They fed themselves and took what they needed, but did not provide for the weak and injured. They did not seek out those sheep that were missing that had gone astray to bring them back into the fold. They let the sheep wander and be abused by the wild animals.
- Ezekiel 34:11-22: The Lord as Israel’s Shepherd
- The Good Shepherd searches and finds his missing sheep. He cares for and feeds his flock. He even separates those sheep that have not looked out for the helpless sheep in the flock. He provides food for them and gathers them into his fold. What a great example of a leader in the church! I strive to be like the Good Shepherd.
- Ezekiel 34:23-31: The Shepherd to Come
- This is almost more than just a shepherd to come, but someone that controls the land and harvest. God will care for his flock through his son Jesus and provide everything that his people needs. I love the idea of ultimate peace that this shepherd brings to the land and to his flock. No more fires to put out, but peace and harmony with his flock and the enemies outside the flock.
Galatians 6:1-10
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
As I read these verses I think about the idea that a person can choose their actions, but they cannot choose their consequences. If a farmer plants good seed he will produce good crops, that is the consequence of an action. The word consequences seems to always have a negative connotation. In fact, the word consequences is defined as “the effect, result, or outcome of something occurring earlier.” It does not mean negative but of something that has taken place previously.
If I am to live this verse out, I would like to make sure that in every word that I say and in every word that comes form my mouth and every action I perform would have positive consequences. That the seeds that I plant would have positive consequences and bear much fruit.
God, I do not want to mock you or think that I can somehow out smart you. My actions have consequences and I desire to have them be positive consequences. Open my eyes to see and give me the words to say as I move ahead and lead. Amen.
1 Chronicles 12:32
“And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.”
Great stuff! I want to be like these men and understand the times and know just what to do. In addition to all of that, they seemed to be the leaders. The term “brethren” does not describe just men from their tribe but can be any nations with common ancestors. These men had understanding of the times, knowledge to know just what to do, but they also were the leaders of the people. Such great truths in this amazing narrative of the men that followed David.
To Serve and Protect
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” -1 Corinthians 16:13-14
My friend
One of my close friends is a cop. I have gone on a couple ride alongs with him and seen him in action. It is amazing to see through his eyes and what his eyes are drawn to. They are not drawn to the obvious but to the shadows to the corners where bad things can be happening.
He is constantly on guard, even when off duty. When he is on the scene of a crime he stand firm in what he believes and doesn’t allow anyone to back him off of that position. He has courage to go into a scene even when others are running away.
When I think about this verse I think about him and his role as a cop. However, the unusual part of these verses is that strong, machismo verse is paired directly before verse 14 which is all about doing everything in love. A strong and mighty warrior with a tender heart, what a great combination!
In the same way, I need to live today on guard, firm in my faith, have courage, and be strong. However, I need to have a tender heart and do everything out of love.
God, may I have the eyes to see those hurting, may I never sway toward other gods and my own personal desires, but ma
y I also have a heart that is not calloused by the hurts of this world, but have a tender, malleable heart for you! Amen!
Winning the Game…Twice
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57
This week I was coaching a JV baseball game at the local high school. In the bottom of the last inning we were down 2-1. We had 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd base. The batter launched a double into the left-center gap, driving in one run and the man on first rounded third and sprinted from home. The throw from the outfielder hit the cut off man and the throw was inline with home plate, but was high. The ball reached home before the runner was there, but bounced off the catchers glove and went to the backstop. Our runner was so excited that he was going to win the game that he took his eyes off of home and completely missed it as he ran across. seconds later he was tagged and was called out by the umpire. So, we tied the game, and went to extra innings. The amazing thing about our relationship with Christ is that he has done the winning already. He has conquered the grave, he has hit home plate. There is no missing there. By our relationship with Christ we can have the same victory. No need for a last inning comeback, we receive the victory at the moment we follow Christ.
Today, am I living in the victory? As I coach I am always nervous about making a comeback or losing a lead that we have. However, on this side of heaven I have nothing to be nervous about when I come up to the plate. The game is won already. I just need to do my best for Him and He will use it for His glory. By the way, we ended up winning the next inning with the same exact scenario as the previous inning!
God, may you use me today as a player in this game called Life that you have already conquered and won. May I go to bat each and everyday with that confidence and do my best with each opportunity that you give me. Amen.
Speak up!
“What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.” ! Corinthians 14:26
Spiritual gifts are used for building up. But at the same time each of these gifts has to do with using words to use the gift. The church is meant to be a place where, no matter what, the body is built up and edified.
How are my words, whether it is a testimony or lesson, being used to encourage the body of believers? I need to watch my tongue and make sure that people are encouraged. They can be challenged, but disrespect and tearing down is not the right motivation.
God, may every word that comes from my lips bring glory to you! May they build up other believers and strengthen the Church. Amen.
Gardening for Jesus
Scripture: “But the Israelites did not drive out the people of Geshur and Maacah, so they continue to live among the Israelites to this day.” Joshua 13:13
Observation: The Israelites take out the people living in the land, but didn’t completely wipe them out like the Lord had told them to do. The people continued to live amongst the Israelites. They drank from the same watering holes, lived in the same towns, and intermarried with the people. God did not want this, but the people of God did not carry out His orders fully.
Application: I helped my friend, Jeremy Koenig, remove some bushes from his yard. The roots had grown strong and deep. They intertwined with each other and had become very strong. He actually broke four different shovels trying to get these roots out of the ground. In the same way, God desires for us to root out all of the sin in our lives, but so often we compartmentalize our sin and let some of it linger. We hide it and put it away, but it remains with us. God desires for all of it to be gone, but we keep just a little back and it remains with us to this day. Eat continues to pop up from time to time, just like a weed that is not taken out at the root. I must look at the roots of the sin in my life and do some serious gardening.
Prayer: God, may you open my eyes to the roots of sin in my life and may I be a vigilant gardener for you. Amen!
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Scripture: “Do you not know that your body is a templeof the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.”
Observation: my body is a temple for God. How clean and how nice is God’s home? I am working out to make His temple nicer and to refine it. In the same way, I was bought at a price. Jesus’ life paid for mine. I must honor God with my body. By what I put in it and what I do with my body I must honor Him.
Application: I want to make Hos temple look good. I need to be more disciplined in my workouts or “holy spirit home repairs” in order to give God honor. Also, everything I do with my body must give Him glory and honor.
Prayer: God, give me discipline and focus and endurance as I continue to do your home renovations. Help me to remember to honor you in all my workouts. Amen!
Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
In March I went on a hike on a trail that I had gone mountain biking on in July. This hike was an uphill hike to a flat spot where some guys met to pray. I actually jogged some of this hike and remembered back to July and the agonizing bike trip that I took. I remember how tired I was on that bike ride and how easy this hike was this time. In total it was a 4 mile hike, but I remember in July I could not imagine it being less than 20 miles!
I think about the pursuit of Christ and the labor it can be to live out the calling that is within. It can be so easy to tun from him and do what I want to do or follow “other gods.” I must keep up the good fight. I must not give up and press on through the sweat and tears and fight through my walls of discouragement.
Jon Nungester-Living from the Inside Out 