{"id":8819,"date":"2012-07-09T08:00:20","date_gmt":"2012-07-09T12:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mintools.com\/blog\/?p=8819"},"modified":"2024-09-30T14:34:46","modified_gmt":"2024-09-30T18:34:46","slug":"shepherding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mintools.com\/blog\/shepherding.htm","title":{"rendered":"Shepherding Ministry: Lessons from John 21:15-17"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"ShepherdingThree times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him.\u00a0 When Peter responded that he did, each time Jesus told him that if he loved Him to feed His sheep.<\/div>\n

Most of the times I’ve heard sermons or Bible lessons on this passage in John 21, the distinction of the two different words used for “love” is brought out.\u00a0 I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything presented about the two distinct Greek words used for “feed” nor of “lamb” and “sheep.”\u00a0 Surely it must all be significant.\u00a0 These are verses where the English language does not do justice to the passage.\u00a0 Looking at the original Greek language provides a fuller understanding of God’s intent.<\/p>\n

Implications in John 21:15-17 for Those in a Shepherding Ministry<\/h2>\n

Since Jesus speaks of sheep, we would be safe to draw out lessons for shepherding ministry.\u00a0 The next three posts will examine the three word changes which are not obvious in the English language.\u00a0 As we look at these different word changes we will find the following implications for shepherding ministry.<\/p>\n

Entrustment:<\/strong><\/a> sheep (arnion and probaton)
\nMotivation:<\/strong><\/a> love (agapeo versus phileo)
\nPriority:<\/strong><\/a> feed (bosko and poimaino)<\/p>\n

We Need These Kinds of Shepherds in Various Venues<\/h2>\n

As already brought out in the Shepherding Ministry section of MinTools.com, shepherding is not limited to church leaders.\u00a0 Click below for more about each of the following shepherding venues.<\/p>\n

discipleship<\/a>
\nelders<\/a>
\nequipping<\/a>
\nmentoring<\/a>
\nministry teams<\/a>
\nparents<\/a>
\npastors<\/a>
\nsmall groups<\/a>
\nSunday School<\/a>
\nsupport groups<\/a><\/p>\n

Regardless of your means of shepherding, the truths from this passage should cause you to ask yourself the following questions:<\/p>\n