Talk 3:“THE HEART OF A SHEPHERD”

INTRODUCTION

Who is his pastoral head or who is his household head? This is often times the very first question we ask when a YFC member gets into trouble like going back to his old ways, somebody getting pregnant or a member or our leader becomes delinquent. This question though short and simple has far greater implications to us leaders than what most of us think! Though our call is for massive evangelization, we are to care for each individual that’s why each one is important (the members are not just numbers). As we lead, as we strategize for the rapid and massive campaign let us not forget that the heart of the mission is loving the people that we serve, simply being good pastor of the flock, good shepherds! (Read John 10: 11-13)

Reflection:

Reflection Song : “Here I am, Lord “

(Say a short prayer to guide the participants)

Important Points to stress:

  1. To have compassion and concern for the flock
  2. Going after for lost sheeps
  3. Laying down his very own life (self-sacrifice)
  4. We don’t work for pay (we serve out of love)

CONCERNS OF A SHEPHERD

  1. The flock is HOLY (spiritual well being)
  2. Growing I relationship with the Lord
  3. Deepining the knowledge about God
  4. Living a principled life
  1. The flock is HAPPY (emotional well-being)
  2. Members face life’s difficulties victoriously
  3. Relationship in family / community are in good order
  4. Members live a guilt-free life
  1. The flock is healthy (physical and material well-being)
  2. Basic needs of members are met
  3. Sharing resources “less for self, more for others, enough for all”

THE CHALLENGE TO LOVE

1.As YFC grows, caring for our members becomes more demanding

1.1.With the massive growth, greater percentage of our members come from the marginalized and dispossessed

-Practical needs get in the way

-Reaching them is more difficult

1.2.With this growth, there will be members who have special concern like addiction, serious bondages…

1.3.There is also a good number who come from the affluent and rich families, we shouldn’t feel inferior because of our economic status.

  1. Overcoming our personal giants that keep us from loving fully

2.1 Our own insecurities

2.2 Our priorities

2.3 Our spiritual and emotional needs

THE HEART OF A SHEPHERD

H - Healer- always guard yourself against sin

- take initiative as leaders in growing in holiness (witnessing)

- help in the efforts of the church

- being holy is essential in sphepherding by moral authority

E - Encouraging - recognize that even members in the community are hurting

- go out of yourselves and focus instead on others

- be more sensitive to your members’ needs and concerns

- don’t be too busy to listen or to call

- be generous with your time and sincere in your efforts

A - Ardent / Passionate

- give people a good cause to live by and live for

- live a life of purpose, not allowing the material blessings of God has given you to become obstacles to service

- recognize the urgency of the work

R - Responsible

- get the task done, not being relxed and complacent about it

- be excellent in everything that you do

- appreciate and use what God has given you (true stewardship)

T - Tough- don’t settle to a life of comfort; be willing to leave your comfort zones

- be ready to face the challenge and persevere through trials

- know that there is no compromise to righteousness

CONCRETE PLANS

When was the last time you had a really good household meeting? How many meetings did you have with your household for the past three months? Do you know by name all your houshold members? We have to make concrete our love for our members through:

  1. Have a vision for the household
  2. Have a vision for each member
  3. Know each one not only by name but also “who they really are” (one-to-ones on family, personal concerns and source of joy and pain
  4. Actually pray for each one

CONCLUSION

We live a world that is suffering, including our community members. WE exist as a community to care for one another and to reach out to those who are still suffering because of their bondage to sin and evil. For us to transform society, we have to transform individuals. The Lord started with His disciples, one by one He called them, as a group he pastored them. Let us give due importance to our household members they are the reason of this mission!

ACTIVITTY

  1. List all your household members
  2. Write down what you know about each one. In a scale from 1 to 10, how well do you know each one, with 1 being the least?
  3. Concrete plans to activate, revive or to inspire your household.