John 10:1-15 The Shepherd of the Sheep

The Elders as Shepherds, the Church as Sheep Acts 20:28 –“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” I Peter 5:2 –“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you.”

Ways for the Elders to Form and Grow this Relationship Be Friendly –Proverbs 18:24 – –I Cor. 13:4; Gal. 5:22; Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:12; 2 Peter 1:7 Spend Time with the Members –I Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8 –Romans 12:13

Ways for the Elders to Form and Grow this Relationship Be Tactful –Proverbs 15:1; 12:18; 25:15; 29:11 –I Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7-8 Communicate Often –I Timothy 3:4-5; 5:17; Heb. 13:17

Ways for the Elders to Form and Grow this Relationship Be a Good Listener –James 1:19 –Proverbs 18:13 Be Trustworthy –I Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8

Ways for the Elders to Form and Grow this Relationship Be Decisive –James 1:8 –2 Corinthians 1:17-20 Judge Righteously –John 7:24; Titus 1:8 –Prov. 18:17; I Tim. 5:21; James 1:5

Ways for the Elders to Form and Grow this Relationship Lead by Example –I Peter 5:3 –Heb. 10:25; Mt. 6:33; I Tim. 3:4-5 Love the Flock –John 10:11; I John 3:16 –Heb. 13:17; I John 3:18; I Pet. 1:22

Ways the Church Can Strengthen this Relationship Show Them Honor –I Timothy 3:1 (KJV) –I Timothy 5:17; Romans 13:7 Obey Them –Heb. 13:17; Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:2 –I Timothy 5:19-20

Ways the Church Can Strengthen this Relationship Submit to Them –Heb. 13:17; Eph. 5:21; Rom. 2:6 –I Peter 5:5; Gal. 5:13; Rom. 12:10 Love the Elders –I Thess. 5:12-13 –Acts 20:28-31; Eph. 4:12; 2 Tim. 4:1-2; Mk. 16:15; 2 Thess. 3:6

Ways the Church Can Strengthen this Relationship Help their Work to be Pleasant –Hebrews 13:17 –Philippians 2:16; I Timothy 5:19-20 Pray for Them –I Timothy 2:1-2; Hebrews 13:17 –James 1:5; Titus 1:9; 3 John 2; I Thess. 5:17

The Elders’ Relationship to the Church The Problems of a Weak Relationship Between the Elders and the Church –“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (I Corinthians 1:10).

The Elders’ Relationship to the Church The Benefits of a Strong Relationship Between the Elders and the Church –Strong and United Church Ephesians 4:3; 6:10 –Active in the Lord’s Work I Corinthians 15:58 –Spiritual Growth of the Members 2 Peter 3:18

The Elders’ Relationship to the Church The Benefits of a Strong Relationship Between the Elders and the Church –Precious Souls will be Saved I Corinthians 3:6-7 –Truth Upheld, Error Defeated Jude 3; 2 John 9-11 –Local Church Kept Pure I Corinthians 5

The Elders’ Relationship to the Church The Benefits of a Strong Relationship Between the Elders and the Church –Beacon of Light in the World Philippians 2:15 –Souls Kept Safe from Devil’s Attacks Hebrews 13:17; I Peter 5:8 –Peace, Joy, & Love will be the Fruits Romans 14:17; I Cor. 16:14; Gal. 5:22

In Conclusion… “as those who must give an account” »Hebrews 13:17 –How they Oversee Acts 20:28 –The Kind of Example I Peter 5:3 –Effectively Watch Out for Souls Hebrews 13:17

I Peter 5:1-4 “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”