Heavenly Father strengthen us as we pour out so that You can pour in and lead us as we pour forth in Your name. Amen
March 15, 2021
Good Morning Princesses,
The Good Shepherd...
When you think of a good leader and good leadership what comes to mind? Don't answer too quickly, give yourself a moment.
While there are many books, quotes, and sayings that we can find and post on our refrigerator, wallpaper our phone, post on our computer, create as a screensaver or even use as a bookmark, there actually is a model of a good leader and good leadership. So, what do you think? Pause.. pause.. and pause again.
Have you ever stopped to think that the true model of a good leader and good leadership is our Heavenly Father? In fact,
Ezekiel 34 gives us a front seat lesson as to good leadership.
Today, we will take a look into a good leader and good leadership through the model of the Good Shepherd. As the title states, "Time for A Little Teaching", today we will have 4 learning objectives. To prepare for this week's GO! Report, you will need your Bible, highlighter, and pen. Yes, we are going to be taking a journey through the pages of our workbook for life!
Learning Objective 1:
Ezekiel 34:2 and 34:6 give us insight into a leader's primary responsibility: to care for those he/she leads; even if it means sacrificing one's own desires.
2...This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?
6 My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.
Recognizing what the primary role of a good leader is, the next passage in Ezekiel 34:11-16 outlines the responsibility through the lens of a "good shepherd. Take a look:
11 “‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.
12 As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.
13 I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land.
14 I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.
15 I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord.
16 I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.
Notice anything in the passage? Each verse references an "I will" statement of the Sovereign Lord. Take a few moments to read the passage again. Amazing, huh! Now hold that thought and let's read two additional verses in the Old Testament that also provide insight into the meaning of good shepherding.
While both verses are set in the Old Testament. The New Testament offers additional guidance about good shepherding. Interestingly enough, the lesson comes right from the Good Shepherd himself.
Learning Objective 2:
Jesus tells us in John 10:1-18 that He is the Good Shepherd.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)
The Assignment...
Learning Objective 3 (Call To Action):
As Christians and children of the Almighty, we also carry the responsibility to read God's word, to learn what it means to be a Good Shepherd, and to model "good shepherding" as Jesus has instructed.
The evangelist and doctor, Luke, further explains to us in Acts 20:28, that we should,
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. Acts 20:28
Princesses, did you catch the assignment? We are to continue modeling, keep shepherding, and to be overseers not just over ourselves but the "flock". You see, God has entrusted us as His children to be His "good shepherds" while we are here on remote assignment.
Filled with God's Holy Spirit we have the responsibility to be "shepherds of the church of God".
But Wait There's More
There's still one more item you should know.
Learning Objective 4
When it's all said and done the Apostle Peter tells us that:
When God, who is the best shepherd of all, comes out in the open with his rule, he’ll see that you’ve done it right and commend you lavishly. 1 Peter 5:4 (MSG)
So, let's recap:
1. God has told us what good leadership looks like. (Learning Objective 1)
2. God has modeled for us what a good leader looks like through the lens of a "good shepherd. (Learning Objective 2)
3. We are called to be good shepherds of the "church of God". (Learning Objective 3)
4. As "good shepherds" God will commend us and we will receive a crown of "never-ending glory and honor" for our faithful service. (Learning Objective 4)
Take some time this week to review the objectives above. Remove the distractions, quiet your busyness and hear God speaking to you. Remember, our call to action has been issued Princesses, we are shepherds called to "shepherd the church of God". Let's get to work.
And this concludes our lesson.
AMEN
Yes, Lord.
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From That Time On...
Ezekiel ~
Prophet of the Spirit
When: Tuesday's (until June 29, 2021)
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Study Source: Your Bible
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Oh, princesses of faith...remember
Prayer “empowers and ‘charges up’ every other piece so they can be used effectively against the enemy. Without prayer… your armor, cannot, will not, be infused with the power that only God’s - Spirit can give."
Closing Thoughts
Know that through the Holy Spirit you can:
do things you couldn't;
feel things you didn't; and
know things you wouldn't.
GO! 3/15/21- New feature, contains a playlist of songs for your praise and worship time.
Housekeeping:
Next week we'll discuss another love language!
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Remember, each day is an opportunity for us to... Lead, Serve, and GO!
