Sun 9:30a Class; 10:30a Worship; 11:35a Communion
Bible Bites
Ruler and Shepherd
“And the LORD said to you, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be a ruler over Israel.’” (2 Samuel 5:2)
To rule as a godly king meant to shepherd. Ruler and shepherd are used synonymously. Throughout the Bible, we are given a reoccurring picture of what God wants leadership to look like, and all leadership should look like shepherding.
From fathers to upper management to little league coaches, the biblical model for leadership looks like taking care of sheep. You lead by example and the sheep follow. You keep track of the sheep and search for them when they get lost or off track. You understand the sheep so that when they are ill or lame, you notice and mend their wounds. You watch out for the wolves and fight them off with rabid intensity because the sheep matter to you.
From the home to the local church to the Chief Shepherd, Christianity is meant to change the idea of what leading looks like. Shepherds are sacrificial authority figures, not manipulative ones.
This Week’s Reading: 2 Samuel 3-12; Psalm 33; Proverbs 2
This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament. Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon. If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision
