Practicing Christian Leadership, Mentor's Guide, MG11
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P R A C T I C I N G C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P
As in the previous lessons, these questions are designed to help you review the critical facts and principles brought out in the first video segment. Hopefully by now you have been able to sense the importance of this first attempt from the students to grasp the significance of the teaching.
3 Page 137 Student Questions and Response
The image of the shepherd as a form of leadership is well attested, both in terms of its relationship to God or gods (cf. Gen. 48.15; 49.24), and especially to the oversight of Yahweh over his people. Both Psalm 23 and Ezekiel 34 picture forth God as the leader guarding, tending, and caring for his people, his flock. Many other texts in the Psalms highlight this analogy (cf. 28.9; 74.1; 77.20; 78.52-53; 80.1; 95.7; 100.3; 121.3-8), as also do the Prophets (cf., Isa. 40.11; 49.9-10; Jer. 23.1-4; 31.10; 49.19-20; 50.17-19; Mic. 4.6-8; 7.14). Often in Scripture, the analogy of shepherd is used in a negative way, for many of the political leaders and priests responsible for tending the people of the Lord neglected the herd, even feasted upon them(e.g., Jer. 10.21; 22.22; 23.1-4; 25.34-38; Ezek. 34.1-10; Zech. 10.3; 11.4-17). While this is prevalent, it is plain to see that this image is a critical image for a courageous, diligent, and vigilant leader, whether political or religious (e.g., Cyrus is called God’s shepherd, Isa. 44.28). Notice God’s description of David: Ps. 78.70-72 - He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; [71] from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance. [72] With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand. The promise is given by the Lord that he would eventually provide his people with shepherds who would properly care for his people (Jer. 3.15; 23.4). Ultimately, God would provide a shepherd for his people, the Messiah would not only be from the line of David, but would also die and suffer on behalf of them (Ezek. 34.23; 37.22, 24; Zech. 13.7 cf. 12.10).
4 Page 138 Summary of Segment 2
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