How Shepherds Lead and How Sheep Follow | Resources
Passage:”So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 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; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’“ 1 Peter 5:1–5
Devotional:
Being a good shepherd isn’t for the faint of heart. Shepherding is hard work. It requires tireless, often tedious effort, and constant vigilance. A good shepherd keeps watch over the flock to keep them from wandering. He keeps them fed, watered, and healthy. He keeps their coats clean and shears their wool when it gets too thick. He keeps their hooves trimmed and free of rocks. A good shepherd leads the flock with patience and consistency. He leads well, forming a bond of complete trust with his flock. This relationship is vital, because sheep cannot survive on their own. Domesticated sheep are helpless animals that wouldn’t survive without a shepherd’s care. Sheep are easily spooked. They lose focus and wander away easily. They will follow whatever the rest of the flock does, even if it puts them in danger. In short, sheep need a shepherd. Throughout the Bible, followers of God are referred to as sheep. It’s an unflattering yet accurate comparison. Left to our own devices, we make a mess of ourselves. We get spooked by circumstances of life too easily. We follow the rest of the flock into bad decisions at times, and we certainly wander away much too easily. But I don’t believe that we (or sheep for that matter) behave in such ways because we are dumb. I believe we do so because we haven’t learned to trust. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way. We can trust the shepherd, because we truly do have a Good Shepherd. Through the ages, He has consistently led us with unwavering patience and care. He has never ceased looking out for us, and He never will, for He is incapable of doing so. So be a sheep—test the Good Shepherd and learn to trust Him. Follow where He leads, for you have nothing to fear under His care.
by Grant Nason
Scripture Reading:
Sunday: 2 Sam. 14; 2 Cor. 7; Ezek. 21; Ps. 68
Monday: 2 Sam. 15; 2 Cor. 8; Ezek. 22; Ps. 69
Tuesday: 2 Sam. 16; 2 Cor. 9; Ezek. 23; Ps. 70-71
Wednesday: 2 Sam. 17; 2 Cor. 10; Ezek. 24; Ps. 72
Thursday: 2 Sam. 18; 2 Cor. 11; Ezek. 25; Ps. 73
Friday: 2 Sam. 19; 2 Cor. 12; Ezek. 26; Ps. 74
Saturday: 2 Sam. 20; 2 Cor. 13; Ezek. 27; Ps. 75-76
Memory Verse:
“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5
Discussion Questions:
What in our text this week stands out as interesting, confusing, or challenging?
Summarize the elder’s role and responsibility as described in this text.
What warnings do you see in this text toward the elders?
What does being subject to the elders look like? How can you demonstrate this in the near future?
How are you doing in clothing yourself in humility? What current situations are you facing where humility is needed?
In light of what we have studied this week, how should you respond in obedience?