We grow by learning God’s word.

I Peter 2:2 - We are to desire God’s word.

Hosea 4:6 - The Israelites were destroyed because of lack of knowledge.

We have many methods available to help us learn God’s word: sermons, Bible studies, teachings from more knowledgeable Christians, and our own study.

II Peter 1:13 - It is helpful to be reminded of things we’ve learned before so that we do not forget God’s word.

We grow by putting God’s word into practice.

Hebrews 5:12-14 - We must study and practice so we will be ready for the solid food of God’s word.

I Timothy 3:4-5 - An elder must show his spiritual maturity by managing his own house well.

John 10:11 - Jesus is the good shepherd.

The relationship is directly between Jesus and His sheep.

God has also provided for a congregational arrangement in which elders act as shepherd of the congregation. The sheep are still directly subject to the chief shepherd, which is Jesus. They have an additional relationship to the elders of the local congregation. (Acts 20:28

Each congregation is always to be independent. If a local church is not developed such that is has elders, it should still be independent.

Shepherds are to feed, lead, and oversee the flock.

Each congregation is to have a plurality of elders if men are qualified. Elders are always spoken of in the plural in the Bible (Titus 1:6.

Paul used “flock” to teach that a congregation is to support the preaching of the gospel.

As relates to the local flock:

Shepherds are to lead in the will of the Chief Shepherd.

Sheep are to follow the shepherds when they follow the Chief Shepherd.

Sheep are to recognize the necessity of staying with the flock.

• I John 3:18 - Love is an action.
• He took the first step.
  • I John 4:19
  • Romans 5:6-8
• He worked a plan (I Peter 1:10
• He gave His Son! (I John 4:9-10
• He makes us His children (I John 3:1

• God loves you and you need to love Him back!
  • Hosea 11:1-8
  • Hebrews 6:4-6
  • I John 4:20-5:3
  • Luke 15:8-10 - parable of the lost coin