This is part of the series on Church Leadership with special emphasis placed on the eldership as spiritual shepherds. This lesson compares the work of a physical shepherd to that of a spiritual shepherd caring for the church.

1. Protecting the Sheep The Responsibility of Spiritual Shepherds

2. Protecting the Sheep Acts 20.28 “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”

3. Protecting the Sheep Acts 20.29-30 “I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.”

4. The Shepherd’s Responsibility Acts 20.31-32 “Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

5. The Shepherd’s Responsibility Counting the sheep when returning from pasture. (Jeremiah 33.13) Watching for sheep that were sick. (Ezekiel 34.16) Watching for predators. (1 Samuel 17.34-36)

6. Requirements of Sheep Sheep will not lay down unless they are free from all fear. Sheep will not lay down unless they are free from problems with other sheep.

7. Requirements of Sheep Sheep will not lay down if they are tormented by insects. Sheep will not lay down if they are in need of finding food.

8. The Value of Sheep One became lost and the shepherd left the rest to find it. (Luke 15.4-7; Ezekiel 34.12) Spiritual shepherds watch out for one’s soul and must give an account. (Hebrews 13.17) Each precious soul has been purchased with the blood of Christ. (Acts 20.28)

9. The Shepherds Protection Spiritual shepherds must pay attention to the flock (Acts 20. 28): Paying attention to the flock as “overseers” and “bishops”(Acts 20:28). Paying attention to the sick, weak, crippled, strong.

10. The Shepherds Protection Spiritual shepherds must pay attention to protect (Acts 20:29-31): from forces outside the flock! from forces inside the flock!

11. The Shepherds Protection Spiritual shepherds must protect from forces outside the flock: “...fierce wolves will come in among you…” (Acts 20.29) Matthew 7.15-20; 1 Timothy 1.3-7

12. The Shepherds Protection Spiritual shepherds must protect from forces inside the flock: “...among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things…” (Acts 28.31) 1 Timothy 1.20; 2 Timothy 1.15; 2.17; Jude 4

13. The Shepherds Protection Spiritual shepherds watch (oversee) the sheep: Spiritual shepherds oversee the flock “not under compulsion, but willingly.” (1 Peter 5.2) Spiritual shepherd do not domineer over those in their charge, but by example (1 Peter 5.3).

14. Protecting the Sheep The Responsibility of Spiritual Shepherds