Learn to Shepherd Your Small Group

Articles

Home > Articles > 2007 > Learn to Shepherd Your Small Group

Move from being a small-group leader to truly caring for your people.

by Michael Mack | posted 4/27/2007

Topics:	Compassion, Discipleship, Leadership, Relationships, Shepherd, Shepherding
Filters:	Connect, Leader, New leader
Purpose:	Fellowship
References:	1 Samuel 17:34-37 , Matthew 9:13
Date Added:	April 27, 2007

1 of 3

God's Word is rich in its discussion about shepherding. Moses, David, and Amos served as shepherds, and all were influenced by that role in their leadership. The title of shepherd is applied to God, Jesus, kings and other leaders, local church leaders, and ministers (not necessarily paid staff members).

What is a small group shepherd?

For you to fully understand your calling as your group's shepherd, I need to distinguish between your role as a shepherd of the flock under your care and Jesus' role as the Chief Shepherd. It's essential for you to understand that you are not the real shepherd, the Chief Shepherd, of your group. That role belongs exclusively to Jesus.

Your responsibility as a small group leader is primarily to shepherd the sheep that God puts into your care and to go out and bring more sheep into the fold. Therefore:

• Do not view yourself merely as a Bible study teacher or the equivalent of a Sunday school teacher who presents lessons to the group.

• Do not limit your role to that of a meeting facilitator who plans and conducts discussions.

• Do not think of yourself as only a disc-jockey whose job is to put the DVD into the player and press play.

Small group pioneer Randall Neighbor put it this way: "The shepherd never says, 'I will tend the flock on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m.' No! The shepherd lives with the flock, sleeps in the fields with the flock, goes into treacherous situations to find a lost sheep, and carries the lambs in his arms. The shepherd is the first one to go into the 'valley of the shadow of death' in order to lead sheep to 'green pastures.'"

As a small group leader, you can divide your shepherding role into three vital relationships: connecting your group into authentic community with one another, discipling them to grow in their relationships with God, and encouraging them to make an impact by serving others.

#1—Establish relationships.

As a small group leader, one of your primary tasks—if you can call it that—is to build relationships with group members.

As you begin, always start with a core group. One of the essential values of leading a small group is Don't start alone! Meet together over meals, building your team by getting to know one another. Begin planning the group together, getting ownership and involvement. Divide group tasks based on individuals' spiritual gifts and interests. Then, as a team, begin inviting others to your new group.

You have probably figured out by now that the power of community increased the more people are together. Once-a-week or every-other-week meetings do not bring the kind of close-knit community you often see in the New Testament. But how do you make this happen, short of incarcerating your whole group?

It takes time together, spontaneous and planned. It may take proximity meeting—meeting with people where you live or work, for instance. It may take forming your group around people who have things in common. Instead of trying to find another brand-new group of friends, ask yourself, Who is already in my life?

A big part of your role as a leader is to 1) live this kind of interdependent life yourself, and 2) to do everything you can to help develop this kind of authentic, groundbreaking community! But as a shepherd, what can you do to make this happen?

Here are a few practical suggestions:

1. Pray regularly for, and with, the members of your group.

2. Keep in touch between meetings. Call, e-mail, visit.

3. Accept everyone, regardless of personality differences.

next page … |

1 of 3