ChuaWeeHian, The Making of a Leader, 리더는 목자여야 한다

ChuaWeeHina, "Portraits of Leadership", The Making of a Leader: A Guidebook for present and future leaders, IVP: Downers Grove, IL, 1987, p31-46

Portraits of Leadership: Shepherds

1.       Read Psalm 23 and draw an image of the shepherd.

The sovereign lord is no distant deity. He enters into a personal relationship with his people. As shepherd, the Lord provides food and rest for his sheep. He refreshes and renew us; he leads us in prepared paths. When we are wounded, he anoints our heads with oil. No wonder his people testify to his goodness and mercy which accompany us on life’s journey. Such is our God (Isaiah 40:11).

2.       Read Ezekiel 34:1-23. How does God judge the irresponsible leaders? What is God’s concern? How does God answer His people’s need?

 

Jesus the Good Shepherd

Read John 10:1-18. What can we learn from the picture of Jesus as the Good Shepherd? How can Christian leaders develop shepherd-like qualities?

 

1.       The shepherd knows each sheep by name.

For Jesus, sheep are not all alike. He personally calls each one by name. (John 10:3, 14, 27)

 

2.       The shepherd is always with his sheep.

He is available when they need them… I am among you as one who serves. (Luke 22:27b)

 

3.       The shepherd leads the flock.

We are expected to guide them to fresh pastures. We must direct people to God’s Word and feed them by our teaching, and also teach them how to feed themselves from the Bible.

 

4.       The shepherd displays a deep concern for those who are lost.

His heart leaped with joy when he found the missing sheep. (Mt 18:12-14) … Jesus was called as a friend of tax collectors and sinners. (Mt 11:19) Jesus was eager that his disciples should see the multitudes through his eyes… “They were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd’ (Mt 9:36)

 

5.       The shepherd protects the sheep.

In the face of danger, they would abandon the sheep, because they were only paid to do their job, so there was no intimate relationship between them and the sheep. The welfare of the flock was not uppermost in their minds. By contrast, the Good Shepherd guards and cares for all the sheep. (Jn 10:10-13)

 

6.       The shepherd is prepared to die for the sheep.

Jesus disclosed his willingness to lay down his life for the sheep… Do we love the people under our care so much that we are prepared to die for them?

 

Application

What do you learn from each passage? How can we apply it to our leadership?  

1.       Who is your sheep? Write their names. Do you know the students one by one and care them deeply? Do the students know you well? How do you expose yourself to them as vulnerable, with transparency so that they can see Jesus working in you?

 

 

2.       What amount of time do you spend with your sheep? Are you always available when they need you?

 

 

3.       How do you lead the sheep? How can you be prepared to lead them with the Word of God? (p39-45)

 

 

4.       How was Jesus’ heart for those who are lost? How do you share the gospel regularly? What compassion do you have when you see the lost souls on campus? How can you have compassion towards them?

 

 

5.       What kind of threats and heresies do you find among the students? What duty do you have to protect your sheep?

 

 

6.       Are you willing to die for the sheep? Think about Jesus who lay down his life for you. How does Jesus call you?