Shepherding Nurturing Others: Part 1 Psalm 23 The L ORD is my - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Week 4 Shepherding – Nurturing Others: Part 1

Psalm 23 The L ORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the L ORD forever.

A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23

What Does the Bible Say?

Why Shepherding? •750 references to shepherding or sheep •Notable Biblical shepherds: –Abel –Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Rachel) –Moses and wife Zipporah –David (before he became a king) –Amos (before he became a prophet)

What is a Shepherd? •Noun: a sheep herder •Verb: to care for a flock •Social status in Jesus’ day: –lowest rung, same level as tax collectors –Not trustworthy –Jesus’ birth announced to shepherds first

Characteristics of Sheep • Defenceless: totally vulnerable, don’t possess any fighting skills • Picky eaters • Know the voice of their shepherd • The only animals that do not make noise when they die – don’t complain, get angry or try to escape (Isaiah 53:7)

Isaiah 40:10,11 Yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power. He will rule with a powerful arm. He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.

John 10 The Good Shepherd 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Hebrews 13:20 The Great Shepherd 20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

What Does Shepherding Look Like Today?

Parenting • Raising children is one of the most challenging endeavours in life • Blessing our children (Mark 10:13-16): not just once but continually

Three Ships • Apprenticeship • Mentorship • Discipleship

Servant Leadership: People Manager • Caring for thirty people on site and across NA • Providing tools and training to help them succeed • Addressing HR issues, dealing with tensions, complaints • Conducting performance reviews • If they are successful, then as a manager I am successful.

Church Leader: Pastor • Latin – noun pastor which means “shepherd” – verb pascere – “to lead to pasture, set to grazing, cause to eat” • Ephesians 4:11 – And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds (pastors) and teacher

Church Leader: Elder So I exhort the elders among you …: 2 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; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 1 Peter 5:2,3

Elders Pastors Basil Favis Cheryl Johnson Becky Stymiest Jeff Simunic Chris Piazza Nita Kotiuga Evange Destounis Maria Bejarano Meza (Spanish Min.) John Saunders Ryan Simunic (Director) Nancy Dossous Peter Kotiuga Peter Neelin Randy Trimm Ted Sparkes

What About You?

Jeremiah 3:14-15 Return Return, O faithless children, declares the L ORD ; for I am your master And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

John 21:15-19 Follow Me Do you love (unconditional) me more than these? Feed my lambs. Do you love (unconditional) me? … Shepherd (tend) my sheep Do you love me (as a friend/brother)? … Feed my sheep After saying this he said to him, “Follow me”.

Jesus Loves Me Jesus loves me this I know For the Bible tells me so Little ones to him belong They are weak but He is strong Yes, Jesus loves me (3x) The Bible tells me so.

Jesus Knows Me Jesus knows me this I love Came to find us from above From very young to very old He wants to take us in His fold. Yes, Jesus knows me (3x) The Bible tells me so.

Communion – Psalm 23 Style You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.