Goal and Vision of the Leader's Role

5. The Leader's Responsibility

If you believe that God has called you to lead the group, than you need to remember that it is God's group, not yours. Know that it is God who gives you this awesome privilege to be a shepherd of a small flock, and you are accountable to Him for the way you cared for His people. He is the owner and the provider. You are a servant and a caretaker. Jesus will carry your worries, problems and cares as you cast them on Him (1 Pet.5: 7). He also will be your source of all that is necessary for you to have: strength, wisdom, the Fruit of the Spirit and anointing. All the glory for the accomplishments will belong to the Lord. With the privilege comes responsibilities. These are some basic responsibilities that leaders of home fellowships have:

1. Set a Christ-like example.
You need to strive to be a model of Christ to those in your group. You are responsible to grow with the group members into a mature disciple of Jesus Christ. You have to set and an example by your own character, speech, and behavior. It can be done only if you keep yourself in good spiritual shape.

2. Keep yourself in good spiritual condition.
Your own relationship with God must come first in your life. You need to be continually strengthened in order to carry out your ministry. This includes Bible study and prayer. It also means being in the process of deepening your spiritual relationship with your spouse and family. "David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them." (Ps. 78:70-72)

3. Shepherd those in your care:
    - shepherd is a guide. Just like Jesus leads His sheep - to the place of rest, nurture and security (Ps. 23) you, following Him, will develop with group members to grow in the spiritual truths that will change your lives. You will become a "man over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord's people will not be like sheep without a shepherd." (Numb. 27: 15-27)
    - shepherd doesn't seek self-exaltation. Being a shepherd is a lifestyle of servant hood. It involves staying small in your own eyes. "The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matt. 23:11-12)
    - shepherd nurtures. Through the application of the Word of God in their lives you'll be enabling the group members to become more spiritually mature. Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." (Jn. 21:17)
    - shepherd protects. You will expose the group members only to sound biblical teachings and protect them from falsehood, as the Lord reveals it to you. "Watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of the Lord which he bought with his own blood…even from your own number men will arise and distort truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard!." (Acts 20:28,30-31)
    - shepherd cares for the needs. Pray for God's will in their lives. Pray for their peace and well being. Help the group find lost sheep.

Set an example! Stay in shape! Shepherd the flock of Christ!

1. What do you need to watch for in order to be a spiritual leader? (1Tim. 4:16)

2. How can a shepherd be an example to the flock? (1 Pet. 5: 1-4)

Chapters:
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