April 27, 2025
John Harris

The Sacred Call of Shepherding Leadership

Acts 20:17-32

A Shepherd Leader is Called to

1. A Shepherd Leader Guards the Flock Through
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   .
   A shepherd whose heart remains
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   cannot guide the flock through the
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   .
   

2. A Shepherd Leader Guards the Flock Through
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   .
   The shepherd who fails to
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   both the flock and himself.

3. A Shepherd Leader Guards the Flock Through
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   .
   The shepherd who refuses to
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   himself sacrifices the
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   instead.

The Foundational Call: A Shepherd Leader is Called to

1. What forms or models of church leadership have your experienced in your life? What was helpful and not helpful in those forms of leadership?
   

2. Read John 10:7-18. Jesus declares, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” How does this self-identification of Jesus inform and shape our understanding of church leadership? In what specific ways should elders/pastors reflect this identity in their own ministry?
   

3. Read Acts 20:17-32. Paul warns in verses 29-30 about “fierce wolves” that will come in, “not sparing the flock,” including some that will arise “from among your own selves.” What forms do these “wolves” take in today’s church context? What specific practices can church leaders implement to guard against false teaching while maintaining a spirit of grace?
   

4. Read Ezekiel 34:1-12. How might church leaders today fall into similar patterns of neglect? What practical steps can leaders take to ensure compassionate care for every member of the congregation, especially the vulnerable?

5. In the sermon, Pastor John emphasized that “a shepherd leader is, first and foremost, a follower.” How does this principle challenge conventional ideas about leadership? In your own areas of influence (family, workplace, ministry), how might your leadership change if you focused more intentionally on following Christ?

6. Ezekiel 34:2-3 condemns shepherds who “feed themselves” instead of feeding the flock. In Acts 20:27, Paul states that he “did not shrink from declaring… the whole counsel of God.” What areas of biblical teaching might today’s church leaders be tempted to avoid or minimize? How can leaders ensure they’re providing complete spiritual nourishment rather than a diet of comfortable truths?

7. Read John 13:1-17 and Mark 10:35-45. When discussing sacrificial service, Pastor John distinguished between those who “serve because they want to be seen as servants” and those who “serve because they are servants.” How can we cultivate the latter identity in ourselves? How can we discern between these two motivations in our own service?

8. Read 1 Peter 5:4. Peter tells elders that “when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” How should this future accountability shape an elder’s present priorities? What specific behaviors or attitudes would change if church leaders constantly remembered they will give an account to Christ for their shepherding?