|
GOOD SHEPHERD BIBLE STUDY
CHRISTIANITY OASIS
HAS PROVIDED YOU WITH THIS GOOD SHEPHERD BIBLE STUDY. THIS GOOD
SHEPHERD BIBLE STUDY LOOKS INTO THE GOOD SHEPHERD IN THE
BIBLE AND ASKS WHO IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD, WHAT IS A GOOD
SHEPHERD, WHAT DOES A GOOD SHEPHERD DO AND WHAT DOES A GOOD
SHEPHERD NOT DO AND HOW DOES BEING A GOOD SHEPHERD AFFECT OUR
CHRISTIAN WALK ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE? GOOD
SHEPHERD IS A TERM IN THE BIBLE USED TO DESCRIBE OUR
LORD JESUS, THE CHIEF SHEPHERD. BUT
ARE WE AS CHRISTIANS TO BE GOOD SHEPHERDS TOO AND IF SO GOOD
SHEPHERDS OVER WHAT? LET US SEEK AND FIND THE TRUTH
WITHIN THE BIBLE OF
BEING A GOOD SHEPHERD TOGETHER IN THIS GOOD SHEPHERD BIBLE
STUDY, SHALL WE?
GOOD
SHEPHERD
WHAT IS A GOOD SHEPHERD?
OVERSEERS OF THE FLOCK
|
Acts 20:28-29
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the
flock, over the which
the Holy Ghost hath
made you overseers,
to feed the Church of God, which He hath purchased
with His own blood.
For I know this,
that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in
among you, not sparing the flock. |
What is the
job description of a shepherd? A shepherd is someone who
oversees, tends to, and guards the sheep. Metaphorically
speaking, it is someone who looks after God's children, or
sheep, teaching them, protecting them, leading them,
encouraging them, warning them, forgiving them, being a good
example to them, loving them, etc.
In Biblical
times, children were frequently given the job of
shepherding. The owner of the flock of course was the dad,
but often times it was the children, both boys and girls,
who tended the sheep.
Abel was a
shepherd:
|
Genesis 4:2
And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a
keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. |
Rachel was
a shepherdess:
|
Genesis 29:9
And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with
her father's sheep; for she kept them. |
The
children of Israel were shepherds.
|
Genesis 46:31-32
And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his
father's house, I will go up, and show Pharaoh, and
say unto him, My brethren, and my father's house,
which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me;
And the men are shepherds, for their trade hath been
to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks,
and their herds, and all that they have. |
King David
was a shepherd:
|
2 Samuel 7:8-9
Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David,
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the
sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over
my people, over Israel: And I was with thee
whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine
enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great
name, like unto the name of the great men that are in
the Earth. |
There are a
lot of people who like to isolate different scriptures of
the Bible in order to say that there is only ONE
shepherd, and that is the Lord.
There are
in fact, scriptures that say that there will be ONE
shepherd: Here's one that refers to Jesus:
|
John 10:15-16
As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father:
and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep
I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must
bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall
be one fold,
and one shepherd. |
And yet ...
Here is another one that refers to David as being a future
Shepherd:
|
Ezekiel 34:23
And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall
feed them, even
my servant
David; he shall feed them, and
he shall be their
shepherd.
|
Hmmmmmmm,
two scriptures referring to ONE shepherd, but they are two
DIFFERENT shepherds. God himself referred to the leaders and
followers of the Faith metaphorically as shepherds and
sheep, and we, as His children ARE to tend to His flock ...
But some shepherds (also referred to as "pastors" at times)
don't live up to their job description:
|
Jeremiah 23:1-4
Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the
sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. Therefore thus
saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that
feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven
them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will
visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the
LORD. And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of
all countries whither I have driven them, and will
bring them again to their folds; and they shall be
fruitful and increase. And I will set up shepherds
over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear
no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be
lacking, saith the LORD. |
|
Jeremiah 50:6
My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have
caused them to go astray, they have turned them away
on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to
hill, they have forgotten their restingplace. |
If you are
a modern day shepherd, you may have another occupation, but
your life's work ... Your calling ... Is to be a good
shepherd to His sheep. If you have embraced your calling as
a shepherd, God explains in this chapter from Ezekiel, that
when you find your Salvation, and become a shepherd, you
can't be careless of the flock. Sheep get lost, and they get
into mischief, and they get tangled up in things of the
world that can hurt them. As shepherds, we can NOT have the
attitude of "I've got mine" (Salvation, that is), and forget
that there's still the responsibility to take care of our
Father's sheep. The sheep need you ... You can't just let
them fend for themselves. If you don't do your job, God will
do it, but then, what reward will you get? Go ahead and read
the whole thing!
|
Ezekiel, Chapter 34
And the Word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of
man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel,
prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD
unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel
that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed
the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the
wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the
flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither
have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye
bound up that which was broken, neither have ye
brought again that which was driven away, neither have
ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with
cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were scattered,
because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to
all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon
every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all
the face of the Earth, and none did search or seek
after them. Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the Word of
the LORD; As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely
because my flock became a prey, and my flock became
meat to every beast of the field, because there was no
shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my
flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not
my flock; Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the Word of
the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am
against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at
their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the
flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any
more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth,
that they may not be meat for them. For thus saith the
Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my
sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out
his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that
are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will
deliver them out of all places where they have been
scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring
them out from the people, and gather them from the
countries, and will bring them to their own land, and
feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers,
and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will
feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high
mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall
they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall
they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my
flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the
Lord GOD. I will seek that which was lost, and bring
again that which was driven away, and will bind up
that which was broken, and will strengthen that which
was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I
will feed them with judgment. And as for you, O my
flock, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I judge
between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he
goats. Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten
up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your
feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk
of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with
your feet? And as for my flock, they eat that which ye
have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which
ye have fouled with your feet. Therefore thus saith
the Lord GOD unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge
between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle.
Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder,
and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye
have scattered them abroad; Therefore will I save my
flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will
judge between cattle and cattle. And I will set up one
shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my
servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be
their shepherd. And I the LORD will be their God, and
my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have
spoken it. And I will make with them a covenant of
peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of
the land: and they shall dwell safely in the
wilderness, and sleep in the woods. And I will make
them and the places round about my hill a blessing;
and I will cause the shower to come down in his
season; there shall be showers of blessing. And the
tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth
shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in
their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I
have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered
them out of the hand of those that served themselves
of them. And they shall no more be a prey to the
heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour
them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make
them afraid.
And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and
they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the
land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more.
Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with
them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my
people, saith the Lord GOD. And ye my flock, the flock
of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the
Lord GOD. |
Below is
the Word of Jesus, when He called Himself the Good Shepherd.
As you read it, instead of focusing on Jesus being the one
and only shepherd, concentrate on how you represent Jesus as
one of the Lord's good shepherds. Are you more than just an
hireling? Do you have tender mercy for the flock, as though
they're your own? How can you be a better shepherd?
|
John 10:11-16
I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.
But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd,
whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming,
and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf
catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling
fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for
the sheep.
I am the Good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am
known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know
I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice;
and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. |
Who is
Jesus talking about when He said ... Sheep that are from
another fold? He was talking about the Gentiles ... Because
Jesus was speaking to the Jewish people when He said these
things.
Peter, who
Jesus gave the honor of beginning the early church, gives us
some advice about shepherding:
|
1 Peter 5:2-4
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the
oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly;
not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as
being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples
to the flock. And when the
chief Shepherd
shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that
fadeth not away. |
Got that?
Jesus is the CHIEF Shepherd ... We, as Shepherds are to Feed
the flock, not taking care of them because you're forced to,
but willingly ... Not for any profit or benefit to you, but
eagerly ... Not because you want to pridefully boss around
the sheep, but being a good example.
Carefully think about
the way you take care of the flock. Do you charge at a lost
sheep with anger and annoyance, or do you gently lead them
into the fold? Do you stomp around the pasture fussing and
cussing when a sheep doesn't follow you, or do you remember
what you were like when you were lost and come up with a
unique method for each individual situation, knowing that
they're all different?
Do you take your shepherd's staff with you
when you sojourn elsewhere in your world? Remember what God
said, not to just wear the hat for the benefits that you can
get for yourself. The reason you wear the hat, is to serve
Him. Think of the sheep you tend, as a sacrifice of your
time for God, and as implementing the gifts and the calling
that He has offered you. It's not a job to be taken lightly.
Read and reflect on the Gospels often, so that shepherding
the way Jesus did becomes second nature to you. Ask the Holy
Spirit ... the Comforter to help you.
|
John 14:26
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the
Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all
things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you. |
How can you
know what Jesus would do, if you don't ask?
At one time, we were all sheep, being led away by the wolves
of the world ...
|
1 Peter 2:25
For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now
returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. |
And what an
honor it is, to be called to tend to our Father's sheep.
The famous
23rd Psalm was written by king David,
the Lord's anointed shepherd
to the Highest Shepherd:
|
Psalm 23
The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh
me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside
the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me
in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy
rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a
table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou
anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days
of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
for ever. |
Follow the
Lord's example when you are shepherding:
Lead the
sheep to green pastures and still waters.
Guide the lost so their soul is restored.
Show them the path of righteousness, by example or teaching.
Be there for them, when they are fearful, comfort them.
Congratulate them, be proud of them, edify them when they do
good.
The world is full of stones that sheep will stumble on ...
Show goodness and mercy.
No sheep would want to stay in the flock if they feared
their shepherd, if they were embarrassed, humiliated, or
felt unloved, unforgiven, unwanted or unworthy. Sometimes
even a shepherd trips over a stone. But even after Peter
denied the Lord three times, as Jesus said he would, He
still lovingly told Peter to take care of His sheep.
|
John 21:15-17
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter,
Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?
He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love
thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of
Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto Him, Yea, Lord;
thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed
my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son
of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because He
said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he
said unto Him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou
knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed
my sheep. |
This was
done because Peter denied Jesus thrice and just accepted Him
thrice.
This is a
very important thing to remember, because some of the sheep
in your fold will be shepherds one day, and it may depend on
how you reflect the kind of Grace that the Lord offers, that
gives them the confidence, eagerness, and encouragement to
be the kind of shepherd that makes a difference for Jesus,
and brings many souls into the flock.
SHEPHERDS ARE OVERSEERS OF THE FLOCK.
IF YOU
HAVE BEEN CALLED TO BE A SHEPHERD OF GOD'S PEOPLE ...
HEAR THE
WORDS OF A SHEPHERD BEFORE US.
|
Acts 20:28-29
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the
flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you
overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath
purchased with his own blood.
For I know this,
that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in
among you, not sparing the flock. |
REMEMBER WHAT JESUS SAID ...
|
John 10:12
But he that
is an hireling, and not the shepherd,
whose own the sheep are not,
seeth the wolf
coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the
wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The
hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth
not for the sheep.
|
So the difference between a good
Shepherd and one that is not a Good Shepherd is overseeing
them ... As if they were your own.
Jesus did and He is the CHIEF Shepherd.
Those called to oversee the sheep are
Shepherds.
Be a GOOD Shepherd.
So, to those called
to be Overseers of GOD'S sheep ...
|
Acts 20:28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which
the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which
he hath purchased with his own blood. |
|
|
ODE TO THE
OVERSEER
As I look upon shepherds of sheep
From days gone by til now
It seems understanding some do not keep
And prefer the slaughter of cow.
Some choose to see the worst in others
And out comes their pride
But these are sisters and brothers
Not opportunity to chant and chide
Yes, some sheep are troubled and lost
This we all know to be true
But tell me, my friends ... At what cost
Did Jesus reach out for YOU
Beware of ever casting a stone
As judgment has a way
When the sheep within His pasture moan
Balance requires that someone pay
Man tends to judge in black or white
And maybe a touch of grey
But, GOD ... Created the rainbow bright
Limited not by man's carnal minded way
No one law can ever take the place
Of God knowing man's heart
That is why in Love, He chose Grace
And Mercy to give us a fresh start
Compassion, understanding and Love
These are the gifts one needs
Gentle and harmless as a dove
In all their words and deeds |
|
Check out
FEED MY SHEEP
study to learn more about being a Good Shepherd. Take
care and have a SON-derful day.
|
 |
C-O-O-L
CLICKS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C HECK
OUT THESE C-O-O-L CHRISTIAN STUDIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C-O-O-L PROGRAMS |
|
|
|
CHILD OF GOD
This program was specially designed for our
Christian Members, their children and guests
and will help you find out what the Bible
says about being a Child of God.
|
|
CONFIDENTIAL
CHRISTIAN COUNSELING
This FREE Christian Counseling program was
created to help lost souls and troubled
Christians find the Truth as to bring
understanding and to restore peace within. |
|
CHRISTIAN
TEEN COUNSELING
Specifically designed for our Teen
Members, this awesome Christian Teen
Counseling program will change you from
within.
|
|
DAILY BREAD
Our Daily Bread Devotional is an in-depth look into the
Inspirational Word of God known as the Bible. This Bible
Bread will fill you Spiritually. |
|
END TIMES
Our End Times programs are a great way to be aware
and prepare for what may occur at any hour. |
|
FEAR OF DEATH
Our
Fear of Death program is a guide to help you understand what
happens when a person dies. This study will bring peace to
those souls who have this fear of death. |
|
HEAVENLY
HOPE
This program was created as to share the
Biblical recipe for obtaining and
maintaining the HOPE that we need to
overcome the trials and tribulations that we
encounter and endure, as we sojourn down the
Christian Walk. |
|
LEFT BEHIND
This program explains why God has chosen to
keep some Christians on Earth during the End
Times and a step by step biblical account of
what will happen to these left behind
Christians. |
|
MANY CALLED FEW CHOSEN
This program will help you in discovering if
you have been Called, and if so, we will
share with you what you should do about it. |
|
MY BROTHER'S KEEPER
This is a program for our Teen members.
This program will help you find out if
you are called to join the Christian
cause in a more effective manner than
you are at this time. |
|
SELF
HARM SELF INJURY
This program was created by a self harm or
self injury victim who escaped the darkness
that so many self harm or self injury
victims are in and wants to share the map to
the way out of the darkness. |
|
SOUL MATE
SEARCHERS
This Soul Mate Searchers Program is to help
singles find their soul mate ... The ONE
person that God created just to be your soul
mate. |
|
SPIRIT OF
TRUTH
This program is a guide to help you
establish a relationship with the Spirit
of Truth, who is the Holy Spirit of God. |
|
TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS
This program walks through the Life, Death,
Resurrection, Ascension and Return of our
Lord Jesus Christ. |
|
TIL DEATH DO US
PART
This program shares the Truth of Marriage
according to God's Word, with single,
divorced, unhappily married, and happily
married souls. |
|
VIRTUOUS WOMAN
This program is for our female members and
will help you find out more about what it
means to be a Virtuous Woman according to
the Bible. |
|
|
|
WANT TO BECOME A
MEMBER OF THE MOST AWESOME CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY ON THE INTERNET? |
|
|
|
|
