Training The Shepherds To Disciple The Sheep

By Dr. D. Chetty.

John 21:17 “He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” 

1.    The command of Jesus to feed the sheep.

2.    The command of God the Father to feed the sheep.

3.    The need for the shepherd to be trained.

The command of Jesus to feed the sheep.

The final words Jesus gave his disciple Peter was to “feed my sheep”. The narrative is found in Jesus’ discourse with Peter where Jesus asks Peter the question, “do you love me?”.

This narrative can be summarized like this: If a Shepherd / Pastor loves Jesus, then this love must be displayed in the Shepherd/Pastor’s ability to feed Christ’s sheep.

The congregation which is a representation of the sheep that Jesus speaks about must be fed with the Word of God.

The command of God the Father to feed the sheep.

This was also the command of God in the Old Testament. God took the work of the shepherd seriously.

Jeremiah 3:15 “And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

The need for the shepherd to be trained.

However, before we discuss the subject of feeding the sheep, it is important for us to discuss the need for the Shepherds to be trained. A shepherd can only teach what he knows, what he has studied and what he understands. The health of the sheep depends on the training of the shepherd.

Ezra was an exemplary shepherd. A carful look at the life of Era will reveal the heart of a true shepherd.

Ezra 7:10 “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.”

Firstly, Ezra made a deliberate choice to study God’s Word.

Secondly, Ezra studied the Word with passion and enthusiasm.

Thirdly, Ezra lived and practiced the Word of God in his own life.

Finally, Ezra taught the Word of God to the people of God.

Conclusion

For the modern church to feed God’s sheep and keep the healthy, the Shepherd/pastor must study the Word of God. The church cannot grow beyond the teaching and the knowledge of the leading Pastor.