Season 2 Episode 2: Lead Like A Shepherd

 

This month on the Real Life Groups Leadership Podcast, our host Chris Short sits down with Fred Bosse' (Groups Team Leader - Post Falls Campus) and Christian Putman (Groups Pastor - CDA Campus) to talk about how often, and why, the Bible refers to leaders as shepherds, and what does that mean to us today?

 

Some of the points they address include:

 

What does it mean to be a Shepherd?

• The Bible talks about God being a shepherd, and Jesus says "I am the good shepherd."
• The Bible also refers to people as sheep - is that a compliment?
• Why does the Bible use sheep and shepherds as an analogy so often?
• What did it mean to be a shepherd in Biblical times - was it an honored profession?
• What is God saying in Ezekiel 34 to the leaders of Israel about shepherding?
• Who are the shepherds? Isn't that just the paid staff?

What are some practical aspects of leading like a shepherd?

• You can't feed others if you are not feeding yourself. You don't bypass being a sheep yourself - you are under the care of the Good Shepherd.
• Knowing your people well is so important - know if they are not going to church and why - know the condition of their hearts.
• You may need to pursue your people outside of group to shepherd them well.
• The hired hand flees when danger comes for the sheep - don't lead with the mindset of checking a box.
• Allow God to guide you as a shepherd, seek the Holy Spirit's leading.
• The importance of Break Out Groups - Women need to be led and to lead too. (shepherdess)

 

There is no secret formula and we don't need to overcomplicate this topic - it is simply loving people well. It may not be easy, but it is simple! Leaders - what you are doing does make a difference!

 

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Some of the resources they mention in this episode are listed below:

 

The Way of the Shepherd - Kevin Leman

 

Lead like a Shepherd - Larry Osborn

 

Right Now Media - Lead like a Shepherd

 

 

We have some great tools that our leadership have made available for you to use!

 

• Right Now Media: (The Netflix of Bible Studies)

                 Real Life has gifted our people with a free membership to this platform! Find out           more at this link.  https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/user/reallifeministries

 

• Real Life Resources: This digital library contains over 500 tools and resources to help both you personally and those in your group. Podcasts, videos, books, studies and much more at this link. https://realliferesources.org/

 

If you have any questions or suggestions for future topics, feel free to email us at realforlife@reallifeministries.com.