Shepherding with Integrity: Reflecting Christ's Leadership
Summary
In today's message, we delved into the profound truths of Ezekiel chapter 34, exploring the stark contrasts between bad shepherds and good shepherds, and the implications for both leaders and members within our faith community. This chapter serves as a divine blueprint, guiding us to cultivate a community that reflects God's heart for His people.
We began by examining the failures of the bad shepherds of Israel, who prioritized their own needs over those of the flock. They exploited the sheep for personal gain, neglecting the weak, the sick, and the lost. This self-serving leadership stands in stark opposition to the model of the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for the sheep.
As we navigate the complexities of leadership within the church, we must recognize that even good shepherds can falter, sometimes acting out of ignorance or fear. We looked at biblical examples where leaders, despite their good intentions, made mistakes. Jesus' correction of His disciples regarding the children, the apostles' oversight of the widows in Acts, and Peter's withdrawal from Gentile believers all serve as reminders that good shepherds are not immune to error.
However, a healthy faith community is not solely dependent on its leaders. Each member plays a vital role in fostering a nurturing environment. We are called to be healthy sheep, making room for others, forgiving and seeking forgiveness, recognizing our equality before God, responding to the needs around us, and actively participating in the life of the church.
In Ezekiel 34, God also addresses the fat sheep – those who, due to their positions or perceived anointing, believe they are entitled to special privileges. This attitude disrupts the harmony of the community and is contrary to the teachings of Jesus, who exemplified humility and service.
Ultimately, the passage points us to the One True Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the qualities of a good shepherd. He is the one who searches for the lost, binds up the injured, and strengthens the weak. In Him alone do we find the perfect example of leadership and the source of our community's health and wholeness.
Key Takeaways:
1. True shepherds of God prioritize the well-being of the flock over their own desires and comforts. They embody the sacrificial love of Christ, who is the ultimate Good Shepherd, laying down His life for His sheep. This selflessness is the hallmark of godly leadership and is essential for the flourishing of any faith community. [58:14]
2. A healthy faith community is characterized by mutual accountability and transparency among its leaders and members. It is a place where correction is given and received with grace, where repentance is embraced, and where motives are pure and aligned with the heart of God. [01:07:12]
3. The strength of a faith community is measured not only by the integrity of its leaders but also by the active engagement of its members. Each person is called to contribute to the community's health by practicing forgiveness, equality, and service to one another. [01:26:30]
4. God's judgment is not only directed at leaders but also at members who misuse their influence or position. The 'fat sheep' who trample the pastures and muddy the waters represent those who, through their actions, harm the community. God calls us to justice and equity, ensuring that all are cared for and valued. [01:14:26]
5. The ultimate goal of our faith community is to reflect the character and teachings of Jesus. When He is the center, we move towards wholeness and health. Any deviation from this focus leads us away from God's plan and into the dangers of idolizing human leaders or causes. [01:35:10]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ezekiel 34:1-6
- Ezekiel 34:17-24
- Mark 10:13-14
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the main failures of the bad shepherds of Israel as described in Ezekiel 34:1-6?
2. How does God describe His judgment between the fat sheep and the lean sheep in Ezekiel 34:17-24?
3. In Mark 10:13-14, what correction did Jesus give to His disciples regarding the children? [01:03:04]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does God hold both the shepherds and the sheep accountable in Ezekiel 34? What does this imply about the responsibilities of leaders and members in a faith community?
2. How does Jesus' correction of His disciples in Mark 10:13-14 illustrate the concept of good shepherds making mistakes? [01:03:04]
3. What does the passage in Ezekiel 34:17-24 teach us about the consequences of misusing influence or position within a community?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt neglected or overlooked by a leader. How did it affect your faith and involvement in the community? How can you ensure you don't repeat this behavior if you are in a leadership position? [01:00:54]
2. How can you practice mutual accountability and transparency in your small group or church community? What steps can you take to foster an environment where correction is given and received with grace? [01:07:00]
3. Think of a situation where you might have acted like a "fat sheep," believing you were entitled to special privileges. How can you change your attitude to reflect humility and service, as exemplified by Jesus? [01:14:18]
4. Identify one way you can actively contribute to the health of your faith community this week. Whether it's through forgiveness, service, or another action, how will you implement this? [01:26:00]
5. Have you ever been hurt by the church or someone in the church? How did you handle it, and what steps can you take to heal and continue being part of a faith community? [01:35:20]
6. How can you keep Jesus at the center of your faith community, avoiding the idolization of human leaders or causes? What practical steps can you take to ensure this focus? [01:35:00]
7. Reflect on the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). How can you be more like the Samaritan in your daily life, showing compassion and care for those in need around you? [01:21:24]
Devotional
Day 1: Selflessness in Godly Leadership
True shepherds of God exhibit a selfless nature that mirrors the sacrificial love of Christ. Leadership within a faith community is not about seeking personal comfort or gain but about prioritizing the well-being of others. This selflessness is demonstrated through actions that support, nurture, and protect the flock, especially those who are weak or struggling. A leader's willingness to lay down their own desires for the sake of the community is a testament to their alignment with Christ's example, who laid down His life for His sheep. This principle is foundational for a thriving and flourishing faith community, where the leaders serve as stewards of God's love and grace. [58:14]
"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." - Acts 20:28 ESV
Reflection: Consider the leaders in your life. How do they demonstrate selflessness in their leadership, and how can you support and encourage this Christ-like attribute in them?
Day 2: Accountability and Transparency in Community
A healthy faith community thrives on mutual accountability and transparency among its members and leaders. It is a place where correction is offered and received with grace, and where repentance is not just a concept but a practiced virtue. The motives of each individual are expected to align with the heart of God, fostering an environment of trust and purity. This culture of openness allows for growth and healing, as members work together to maintain the integrity of their collective walk with God. [01:07:12]
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." - James 5:16 ESV
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you either gave or received correction within your faith community. How did it align with the principles of grace and repentance, and what can you learn from that experience to enhance accountability and transparency?
Day 3: Engaged Membership in Community Health
The strength of a faith community is not solely in its leadership but also in the active participation of its members. Each individual is called to contribute to the health of the community by practicing forgiveness, promoting equality, and serving one another. This engagement is a reflection of the body of Christ in action, where every member plays a vital role in the well-being of the whole. By actively participating in the life of the church, members ensure that the community remains vibrant, supportive, and reflective of God's love. [01:26:30]
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." - 1 Peter 4:10 ESV
Reflection: What is one way you can actively contribute to the health of your faith community this week, and how can you encourage others to do the same?
Day 4: Justice and Equity Among God's People
God's call for justice and equity extends to all members of the faith community, including those who may misuse their influence or position. The 'fat sheep' who disrupt the harmony of the community are called to account, as God desires that all are cared for and valued equally. This principle challenges any sense of entitlement and promotes a culture where the needs of the weakest are addressed with the same urgency as those of the strongest. In this way, the community reflects God's heart for justice and his desire for a flock that lives in harmony. [01:14:26]
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." - Philippians 2:3 ESV
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you might be acting as a 'fat sheep,' and how can you work towards promoting justice and equity in your community?
Day 5: Christ-Centered Community Reflection
The ultimate goal of a faith community is to reflect the character and teachings of Jesus Christ. When He is at the center, the community moves towards wholeness and health. Deviating from this focus can lead to idolizing human leaders or causes, which is contrary to God's plan. A Christ-centered community is marked by love, service, humility, and a commitment to following Jesus in all aspects of life. This focus ensures that the community remains anchored in the truth and love of the gospel. [01:35:10]
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:2 ESV
Reflection: How can you realign your focus on Jesus in your personal life and within your faith community, and what practical steps can you take to ensure He remains at the center?
Quotes
1) "Sometimes good shepherds do the wrong things. Perhaps out of ignorance, out of sin, out of fear of man, and we have to understand the difference between a bad shepherd doing bad things and a good shepherd doing wrong things." [01:03:02](Download | Download)
2) "Healthy leaders prioritize the benefit of the community over themselves. And you see this in what God was talking about with the shepherds of Israel in Ezekiel." [01:08:50](Download | Download)
3) "Transparency is another one. Healthy leaders have no hidden agendas, they have no secret lives that they need to hide." [01:07:12](Download | Download)
4) "Healthy leaders are able to receive correction and walk humbly. And so all of us, whether we're looking at a pastor, a shepherd, we're open to correction." [01:07:46](Download | Download)
5) "Healthy leaders are willing to admit when they are wrong. We are human and we get it wrong sometimes. Healthy is that we are able to say, yeah I screwed up." [01:08:18](Download | Download)
6) "God points to two divisions in this section that he's talking about. The first is the rams and the goats...represent the people of power and influence in society of that day." [01:15:32](Download | Download)
7) "Whenever our position in the church or our giftings become our source of pride and place us above others in the body of Christ, we have strayed from the path." [01:20:22](Download | Download)
8) "Jesus covers a lot of those things in a positive sense that God was talking in the negative judgmental sense about 'you guys are doing this wrong' back in Ezekiel." [01:24:20](Download | Download)
9) "But in the end, whenever we put our confidence in a human, we're leading away from the path that God has for us. God says very clearly in this chapter, I'm the only one that's good." [01:30:42](Download | Download)
10) "For this is what the sovereign Lord says. I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so I will look after my own sheep." [01:31:16](Download | Download)
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