BE SHEPHERDS OF GOD’S FLOCK
1 Peter 5:1-14
Key Verse 2
“Be shepherds of God’s flock”
1. Read verses 1-4. To whom does the author make his appeal? (1a) How does he introduce himself to them? (1b). What does he urge them to be? (2a) What should shepherds be and do? (2b,3) What will be the reward for good shepherds when the Chief Shepherd appears? (4)
Read verses 1-4
5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed:
2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;
3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
To whom does the author make his appeal? (1a)
Apostle Peter specifically appeals to the elders in the churches of Asia.
Elders.
i) Origin: Elders are from Jewish culture (Exo 3:16, 12:21, 19:7)
Synagogues had elders who were responsible for teaching the word of God.
Early church followed the synagogue system.
Apostle Paul appointed elders in the churches (Act 14:23)
ii) Qualification (1Tim 3:2-7, Tit 1:5-9)
Apostle Paul gave us clear guideline for qualification of the elders.
Elders in the synagogues are not old persons but wise and mature persons.
Responsibilities were teaching and leading the church through good examples.
iii) Development of the office of pastor (1Tim 5:17)
Pastor is one of the elders and has a better teaching ability among elders.
Pastors appoint and guide other elders in the church. (2 Tim 2:2)
iv) Terms: Elders, overseers (bishop) pastors all refer to the same person.
Elders: emphasize their maturity.
Overseers: emphasize their function of leadership.
Pastors (Shepherds); emphasize their function of teaching (feeding).
1-3) How does he introduce himself to them? (1b).
a) A fellow elder:
Peter was qualified to speak because he is a fellow elder.
Peter saw himself only as one fellow elder among all the elders in the church.
Though Peter was clearly the prominent disciple among the twelve, he claims no special privilege or position, such as the “Pope” of the early church.
b) A witness of the sufferings of Christ
Peter was qualified to speak because he was a witness of Jesus’ sufferings.
He saw Jesus’ torture and perhaps the crucifixion.
c) A partaker of the glory:
He was a partaker of Jesus’ glory.
He was referring to second coming of Jesus.
1-4) What does he urge them to be? (2a)
Be shepherds of God’s flock.
1-5) What should shepherds be and do? (2b,3)
a) Be shepherds of God’s flock
Jesus appealed Peter to be shepherds of God’s flock. (Jn 21:15-17)
Now, Peter appeals the elders to be shepherds of God’s flock.
b) 2 Main jobs of shepherds
i) Feeding: nurturing the sheep: teaching the word of God regularly.
ii) Tending: protecting, guiding, caring for the sheep
Protecting them from the false teachings
Showing them practical examples to obey the word of God.
Serving them in many different ways; encouraging; rebuking, correcting.
c) Serving as overseers:
Shepherds could also be understood as overseers.
Overseers mean someone who watches over, mangers, supervisors.
Overseers emphasize their function of leadership.
d) Willingness; not compulsion (v2)
Apostle Peter’s concern: a first danger: indifference and laziness.
It is very easy for elders to be indifferent and lazy to feed people.
Because Shepherding are hard work
Because they are spiritually sick and their souls are damaged.
Apostle Peter’s advice: willingness (your desire) and God’s will
Shepherd them gladly, joyfully, willingly.
because it is what you want to be. Shepherds are volunteers
because it is what God wants you to be.
e) Passion for serving: Not for dishonest gain (v2)
Apostle Peter’s concern: a second danger: greedy/desire for money.
It is very easy for anyone to be motivated by money.
Apostle Peter’s advice: motivated by passion not by money.
Eagerness; passion; purpose and goal for serving God.
Scripture is very clear that churches should pay their shepherds well (1 Cor 9:7-14)
But elders should be willing to serve apart from financial compensation.
f) Being examples: not domineering; intimidating, manipulating (v3)
Apostle Peter’s concern: a third danger: manipulating leadership (dictatorship)
It is very easy for leaders to dominate people by manipulation and intimidation.
Apostle Peter’s advise: spiritual leadership by example.
For elders: the elders are not the head of church, but Jesus is. (Eph 5:23)
People do not belong to the elders, but to Jesus.
Believers are entrusted to them by Jesus.
For people; people will not follow Jesus by pushing/demanding/threatening.
People need examples to follow.
Jesus showed examples so that we can follow Him.
We can only follow God from conviction, not demanding
1-6) What will be the reward for good shepherds when the Chief Shepherd appears? (4)
a) The elders (Shepherds) will receive the crown of glory.
The crown of this world will fade away.
This crown will not fade away. It will never fade away. This is eternal crown.
b) Crowns are not only for shepherds, but for everyone who did what He called him/her to do. (1 Corinthians 9:25, 2 Timothy 4:8, James 1:12).
c) Jesus is the Chief Shepherd
Jesus is the good shepherd. (Jn 10:11,12)
Jesus is the great shepherd. (Heb 13:20)
Jesus will ask the elders what they did with His flock.
In this sense, the elders work for Jesus, not for the sheep.
2. Read verses 5-9. Who else does the author write to? (5a) What should young men be and do and why? (5b,6) What does the author tell young men to do with their anxiety and why? (7) Why should young men be self-controlled and alert? (8) Why should young men resist the devil? (9)
2-1) Read verses 5-9
5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”[ HYPERLINK "" \l "fen-NIV1984-30455a#fen-NIV1984-30455a" a]
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
2-2) Who else does the author write to? (5a)
Young men
2-3) What should young men be and do and why? (5b,6)
Be submissive and clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because of God
a) Know who God is: God opposes the proud.
Character of God: Holiness.
God is holy; therefore he cannot accept even the hint of sin.
Origin of Sin: Pride (Satan) Pride is one of the most detestable sins in God’s sight.
The proud demand the favor of God because they think they deserve it.
They think they are not proud, but able and confident. (It is a Satan’s deception)
b) Know who God is: God gives grace to the humble. God lift the humble in due time.
i) Character of God: Humility:
God is humble; therefore, we must be humble to have relationship with God.
God the Son, Jesus showed his humility. (Jn 13:4, Phil 2:5-11)
ii) The humble: humility asks the favor of God only based on God’s grace.
The humble depend on God; His grace and mercy.
iii) God may lift you up
In God, the way up is to go down. (what a paradoxical truth in God)
But if you fake to be humble in order to go high, it is not going to work.
Your hearts have to be changed by the power of God to be humble.
c) Know who God is: God’s mighty hand: God is almighty.
Character of God: Almighty
Humility comes from knowing who God is; almighty.
Humility comes from know who we are; nothing but dirt without God.
d) Know who God is: God is faithful: God’s schedule is accurate.
Character of God: God is faithful.
God keeps his promises: His time is coming on time.
The humble never think that they know the right time better than God does.
2-4) What does the author tell young men to do with their anxiety and why? (7)
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
a) When we try to humble ourselves in our effort,
We will start worrying about everything.
People’s opinions, success, fame, money, future security
Worry is another symptom of pride, covetousness, ambition.
‘I will take care of everything by myself’
b) We should cast all our anxiety on God.
We must throw our anxiety away to God.
Casting is tough, active, harsh, energetic attitude; not passive, powerless attitude.
We need determination, toughness, trust (faith)
Do not be gentle to ‘your worries’ in your hearts; it will eat you up.
True humility is shown by our ability to cast our care upon God.
2-5) Why should young men be self-controlled and alert? (8)
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Because the devil prowls around looking for someone to devour.
The devil is not omnipresent:
He is a finite being and can only be in one place at one time
His effort, energy, influence are limited.
He has the power to devour souls and damage believers.
Devil comes against us like a roaring lion or angel of light. (2 Cor 11:14)
He roars through persecution, temptation, accusations against God.
The purpose of devil: is to devour us.
Devil wants to destroy us, break our borns if he could.
2-6) Why should young men resist the devil? (9)
Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
We are not alone in the battle.
3. Read verses 10-11. How is God described? (10a) What does God call us to? (10b) How will God of all grace help those he has called who have suffered? (10c) What does the author dedicate to God? (11)
3-1) Read verses 10-11.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
3-2) How is God described? (10a)
God is the God of grace.
3-3) What does God call us to? (10b)
God called us to God’s eternal glory in Christ.
Our temporary sufferings can’t be compared to God’s eternal glory. God is so gracious that we are called to God’s eternal glory.
3-4) How will God of all grace help those he has called who have suffered? (10c)
God will restore us, make us strong, firm and steadfast.
3-5) What does the author dedicate to God? (11)
The power.
It’s not through our power that we could overcome, but it’s through God’s power, thus the author dedicate “the power to God”. God is worthy to be dedicated “the power”, because God is powerful.
God is grace. God is power.
4. Read verses 12-14. Who helped the author write his letter? (12a) How is Silas described ? (12b) What does the author encourage us to do? (12c) Who sent their greetings to the recipients? (v13-14)
4-1) Read verses 12-14
12 With the help of Silas,[ HYPERLINK "" \l "fen-NIV1984-30462b#fen-NIV1984-30462b" b] whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.
13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.
14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
4-2) Who helped the author write his letter? (12a)
Silas
4-3) How is Silas described ? (12b)
A faithful brother.
4-4) What does the author encourage us to do? (12c)
Stand fast in it.
4-5) Who sent their greetings to the recipients? (v13-14)
13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.
14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
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