What does it take to become a good shepherd? Is it a big responsibility? Is everyone called to become a leader? Is everyone skilled to lead?
Here will discuss the characteristics of a good shepherd. To start off, let’s check out this verse from the book of John…
John 10:11-16
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.
I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.
It takes a lot of courage, sacrifice and leadership to become a good shepherd. Whole-heartedly, they have to be open to do everything for their flocks of sheep. It may not be easy, but it will definitely be fulfilling.
From the Bible verse John 10, it should be understood that Jesus is the good shepherd. Therefore, in becoming one, one must be Christ-like and should have innate goodness. A shepherd must be the one to protect, guide and nurture his flock.
Are you content with just leading your group? Or are you teaching your followers to gather more people to be led?
A Good Shepherd is…
1. Willing to lay down his life for the sheep – You are more than willing to sacrifice everything for your followers.
2. Fights for the sheep – You fight for the rights of your followers.
3. Never leaves the sheep – You have the ability to stay with your group, with no plans of abandoning them.
4. Knows his sheep – You know by heart what crosses the minds of your followers.
5. Active evangelism – You have never ending passion to spread the Word of God.
6. Listens – You know how to comprehend what your followers feel.
7. One Shepherd – Who is your shepherd? Who do you want to feed you spiritually?
The idea of feeding and serving people spiritually should be well-balanced when it comes to SUNDAY SERVICE, PERSONAL DISCIPLESHIP, DISCIPLESHIP GROUP and MINISTRY.
Yes, it won’t be easy. Yes, it will be a risk. Yes, there are times when you will fail. But the truth is, God will always provide. He is the ultimate good shepherd and He will definitely guide you through any circumstances. As His follower, you should lift up everything to Him and trust that He will never abandon you.
At the end of the day, our ultimate role and goal must always be to help people love God and be like Jesus.
Here are a couple of evaluation questions to guide us:
1. How much do you care for your sheep?
2. Will you stand up for your sheep?
3. Will you abandon your sheep?
4. How well do you know them?
5. Do you try and add on to your sheepfold?
6. Do they listen to you?
7. Do they consider you as their shepherd?
