Brad Jones continues our series through 1 Peter by teaching some of Peter’s guiding principles for leading the people God has entrusted to us, and the importance of imitating the humility of the perfect shepherd: Jesus.
Key Takeaway
God has placed us in a community, sheep in a flock, and He has placed shepherds over us to help lead us to Him. Jesus is the perfect Shepherd and worthy of following.
1. We are like sheep.
Sheep are defenseless, feeble, helpless, timid creatures. They are also easily startled. They have a mob mentality and get themselves into trouble.
Left to our own devices, we're all capable of injuring ourselves, getting stuck, going our own way, getting lost.
2. We are called to be part of a flock.
God's gift to us is to be part of a church community.
See Ephesians 2, Psalm 68:6
Iron sharpens iron, Proverbs 27:17
Sense of belonging
We need people and people need us
We contribute, we don't consume
The Church is what God uses to show Himself to the world
3. The Great Shepherd has entrusted imperfect shepherds to lead His Church.
Be shepherds of God's flock under our care. The flock is not ours, it's God's.
We don't start churches, Jesus started the Church two thousand years ago. We plant churches.
Leaders are eager and willing to serve.
People need leaders. They are an example that calls them higher. They care about our character and integrity. We need to be able to seek advice. We need to have authority over us that can speak into our lives.
There is such a thing as poor leaders that disappoint, hurt, and fail you. We are not meant to blindly follow, but it does happen and we are let down.
Always look to Jesus first and then allow leaders to point you towards Him constantly.
Aspire to be a leader in God's House. Be an example. We all need a Paul who's over us, speaking into and encouraging us. We all need a Barnabas who's like a brother, sharpening us. We all need a Timothy, someone to pour into.
Live a life worth being followed.
4. Jesus's People are marked by humility.
Be branded, and have His mark on us.
Clothe ourselves by putting other needs ahead of our own.
Clothe ourselves with recognition of God's greatness.
Clothe ourselves with loving people well.
The greatest danger to the Church comes from inside through selfishness and pride. Pride repels, humility attracts.
See John 10. Jesus is the good Shepherd. He has other sheep, He has told us to go and tell them about Him. God does the saving, but He uses us. Are you available?
Discussion Questions
Why are believers referenced as sheep so often throughout scripture?
Do you see sheep as dumb and skittish or helpless and desperate?
In what ways have you been a typical sheep?
Brad said God's gift to us is to be a part of the Church. How has this been proven in your life?
What are some of the benefits of being a part of the Flock?
Even though earthly leaders are imperfect, why are they necessary?
Some leaders demonstrate poor leadership and hurt the people they are supposed to be serving. What is a way to heal from that situation?
What were the three types of people that Brad mentioned we need in our lives?
What are God's people marked, or branded, by?
How can you do your part to expand the Kingdom of God?