Shepherding 101

Your goal as an earthly father should be to model your Heavenly father.

Psalms 23:1-6 NIV

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

What Can We Learn From the Good Shepherd?

I. Power of Provision

Psalms 23:1-2 NIV

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

Provision is more than financial; it's providing an environment where your family can feel safe, grow and develop.

"Sheep do not lie down easily and will not unless four conditions are met. Because they are timid, they will not lie down if they are afraid. Because they are social animals, they will not lie down if there is friction among the sheep. If flies or parasites trouble them, they will not lie down. Finally, if sheep are anxious about food or hungry, they will not lie down. Rest comes because the shepherd has dealt with fear, friction, flies, and famine." - Phillip Keller

What Can We Learn From the Good Shepherd?

I. Power of Provision

II. Power of Leadership

Psalms 23:2-3 NIV

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

God doesn't give us everything we want; instead, He guides our steps.

Proverbs 16:9 NIV

9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

Our role as fathers isn't to make dreams a reality; it's to help our children see their next steps in growing into the person God created them to be.

Model what matters most.

What we model will mold our kids.

Celebrate what you want repeated.

What Can We Learn From the Good Shepherd?

I. Power of Provision

II. Power of Leadership

III. Power of Protection

Psalms 23:4 NIV

4 Even though I walkthrough the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

What Can We Learn From the Good Shepherd?

I. Power of Provision

II. Power of Leadership

III. Power of Protection

IV. Power of Vision

Joshua 24:14-15 NIV

14 “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

If you don't declare and prioritize a vision for your kids to follow, someone else will.

God's presence always trumps best practices.

Godly principles are better than best practices.

Kids will see God as their Heavenly Father when they see God in their earthly father.