Shepherds Of The Flock

(Part One)

by Bryan Gibson

It is God’s will that elders be appointed in every church (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). When God talks about their work, He describes them as shepherds of the flock (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2-3). So we want to begin this week looking at some characteristics of a good shepherd, making sure that we apply these characteristics to the work of elders.

1.         A good shepherd will make sure his flock is fed (Genesis 46:32: “…the men are shepherds, for their occupation has been to feed livestock…”).

Elders make sure the flock receives spiritual nourishment: “And I will give you shepherds…who will feed you with knowledge and understanding” (Jeremiah 3:15). They can accomplish this in several ways. First, they can set a good example for the flock. “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you…being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:2-3). Secondly, they can feed the flock through their own teaching. “Able to teach” is one of the qualifications a man must meet in order to become an elder (1 Tim. 3:2). According to Titus 1:9, elders must hold fast to the faithful word, and “be able, by sound doctrine, to exhort and convict those who contradict.” Thirdly, they can ensure that others within the flock do some teaching, and that what they teach is the word of God.

2.         A good shepherd watches over his flock (Luke 2:8: “…keeping watch over their flock by night”).

Here is what Paul says to a group of elders in Acts 20:28: “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.” “To all the flock”—elders have to watch out for every member, being careful that they show no partiality. Elders are called “overseers”, and there is a big difference between overseeing and overlooking. Elders must overSEE, because one day, they will have to give an account to God for how closely they’ve been watching (Hebrews 13:17).

3.         A good shepherd will protect his flock (1 Samuel 17:34-35: Note how David protected his father’s sheep).

Shepherds who watch closely know when the flock is in danger, and will do what is necessary to protect them. This is exactly what Paul urged the Ephesian elders to do in Acts 20:28-31. Sometimes the whole flock may be threatened, perhaps by false teaching. At other times, it may be one or two individuals—ones who may be in danger of being lost to the love of money, the love of pleasure, peer pressure, etc. Whatever the threat may be, elders need to be prepared to protect God’s flock from danger.

 

See the second part of this article: Shepherds of the Flock – 2