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Your Professor






What Shepherd's Need Most


"It’s not about counting sheep!"

According to Jesus, the Chief Shepherd, shepherds are to find lost sheep and lead them back into the flock. By nature a shepherd does not prod, whip, chase or drive sheep. He simply leads the way as an example of what Jesus did and does for us.

A shepherd takes care of sheep.
Anyone who provides loving care for anyone in the family of God is a shepherd by reason of his function. You do not have to be elected to be a shepherd. Shepherding is an internal call God puts on your life. To some it comes naturally, others learn the necessary skills.

Shepherds are not cattlemen.
They don’t drive the sheep or herd sheep, they lead them by example. They know sheep by name. They take time to get to know the sheep. Sheep are timid and fearful. They need to know you aren’t there to "fleece" them or butcher them. They don’t easily trust or follow a stranger. Once they trust you not to hurt them they will follow you willingly.

Birds of a Feather
It’s a flock, not a gaggle, brood, or school. You can be a shepherd of one, two, three, or a hundred. You can be a shepherd of children, youth, singles, couples, senior citizens or shut-ins. Even shepherds need shepherds. No one should be without someone who cares and prays about them.

Shepherds are not all alike.
They come in different flavors, different colors, and different gift mixes and personality types. Some are quiet people. Others are happy gregarious types, the life of the party. But all are caring people, who really are concerned about the spiritual condition of sheep.

Shepherds wear out.
More often than not they burn out rather than wear out. A shepherd risks burning out when he tries to do it all by himself. Elijah found out the hard way that he was not the only prophet in Israel who had not bowed down to Baal. God always has fresh sets of shepherds in reserve to help out in times of growth.

Shepherds need other shepherds.
It gets lonely out in the fields. It’s nice to have company. Even the sheep seem to like it when there is more than one shepherd hanging around. Maybe it’s because they know someone else is there to watch their back side.