A12 The leader as a shepherd

Part 1: Biblical research

First published on this website in January 2006 and last updated in August 2023

Synopsis

The first of two articles (with A13) which categorise the biblical references to shepherd and related terms to understand what this image contributes to current thinking about church leadership.

1: Sheep in their biblical context
Classifying 600 Old Testament and 100 New Testament references

2: The OT metaphorical references
People as God’s sheep – sheep scattered or lost – God’s rescue of his flock – God as Shepherd of Israel – God as the shepherd of his people – Christ to be Shepherd – human shepherds – human shepherds who failed

3: Ezekiel chapter 34
What the shepherds did – God’s rescue plan – judgment on the sheep

4: The NT references
Literal references – Jesus, the Lamb of God – people as God’s sheep – sheep that are lost or scattered – Christ as the good shepherd – Christian leaders as shepherds

5: John chapter 10 verses 1-18
The figure of speech – Jesus as the gate – Jesus as the good shepherd – leadership

See also Part 2 which goes on to apply this analysis to church leadership today.

This article was updated in August 2023 with some minor amendments to the layout.