alone, with none on earth to help, he prayed: “Father, if you wish, turn this cup aside from me. Nevertheless, let, not my will, but yours take place.” (Luke 22:42) Again he said: “Rather be in fear of him that can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” (Matt. 10:28) He lived in the fear of Jehovah God, recognizing his responsibility toward the sheep. Think! Are we as much affected, anxious to render a good account of our work as a shepherd caring for the sheep of God? He is the perfect example. Do we desire, above all things, Jehovah’s approval? Are we putting the care of God’s flock above every other consideration today?

Shepherding the Flock of God

1. What instruction does the apostle Peter give to overseers in the congregation?

THE apostle Peter instructed: “Therefore, to the older men among you I give this exhortation, . . . Shepherd the flock of God in your care, not under compulsion, but willingly, neither for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly, neither as lording it over those who are God’s inheritance, but becoming examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd has been made manifest, you will receive the unfadable crown of glory.” (1 Pet. 5:1-4) Let these words sink deep into your minds; go over them time and again until you have made them yours, because this exhortation by the apostle must be obeyed by every shepherd in God’s organization. Otherwise he will be disqualified and disapproved.

2. To whom do the sheep belong? Explain.

² The dedicated brothers are God’s flock. They are his inheritance. A great trust is confided in shepherds who are given the care of God’s flock. These sheep have been redeemed by the precious blood of God’s Lamb, his only-begotten Son; so they are a purchased possession, a treasure owned by Jehovah. The sheep are not the property of the undershepherd, but are placed in his custody by the Chief Shepherd. Therefore they must be cared for as something done to Jehovah himself. All who hold appointment as shepherds (or overseers) over any part of the flock must realize the tremendous responsibility to Jehovah God and Christ Jesus. Remember how Jehovah himself handled his own sheep, feeding, leading, protecting, patiently bearing with them at all times. Also, keep ever before you how our Lord Jesus cared for his Father’s sheep, losing none of them and serving continually in the fear of God, though serving in love and for love.

3. How must God’s sheep be handled by the shepherds?

³ The sheep must be handled by the undershepherds in the same way as the Chief Shepherd handled them. This must be by leading the sheep to pastures where they will be fed spiritually and so grow strong and in time be able to help the weaker ones. They must be encouraged to attend the weekly congregational meetings, as well as the assemblies, and be helped to preach the truth with effective door-to-door and back-call sermons. They must be kept inside the theocratic arrangements of the New World society. Handle them gently with love and great consideration, for sheep quickly scare and run; and with tenderness, for they bruise by harsh or rough treatment. They have no means of defense, as do other animals, when they are attacked. They just run out of the way, and sometimes run into greater dangers.

4. How are the shepherds appointed, and why must they live in the fear of Jehovah?

⁴ Shepherds are a gift to the congregation of God. They are God’s gift. The apostle Paul wrote: “He gave some as apostles, . . . some as shepherds.” (Eph. 4:11) To such shepherds he said: “Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own [Son].” (Acts 20:28) If, now, you are a shepherd among the sheep, ask yourself the question, Am I paying attention to the flock over whom I am responsible? You were appointed as a shepherd by holy spirit; therefore you must not neglect such an appointment. You must not sin against the spirit. Jesus said: “Blasphemy against the spirit will not be forgiven. . . . whoever speaks against the holy spirit, it will not be forgiven him.” (Matt. 12:31, 32) You dare not go contrary to the holy spirit, dare you? For you will be held responsible. Therefore you have cause for fear if you are not attending to your duties in a proper manner. Question yourself to see if you are living in fear of Jehovah God, or has it not forced itself on your mind that he holds you responsible for the shepherd’s work? Do you truly fear God?

5. Does shepherding mean hard work? What do we learn from Jacob’s experience?

⁵ The work of a shepherd was very arduous. It was not for weaklings. Attached to it were such hardships as attacks from lions, bears, wolves, robbers who would sometimes murder rather than risk being identified, exposure to all kinds of weather, keeping the sheep in the fold and hunting the ones who became lost—always being on the watch for danger. Jacob’s experience of long ago is illuminating, for it truly gives some glimpse into a shepherd’s work. He said to his father-in-law Laban: “Your female sheep and your she-goats did not suffer abortions, and the rams of your flock I never ate. Any animal torn I did not bring to you. I myself would stand the loss of it. Whether one was stolen by day or was stolen by night, you would put in a claim for it from my hand. It has been my experience that by day the heat consumed me and the cold by night, and my sleep would flee from my eyes.” (Gen. 31:38-40) Likewise today the care of the sheep is no light task.

6, 7. When a shepherd loves his sheep, what does he do? And how is the care of them shown by Psalm 23?

⁶ The sheep do not know how many hours have to be devoted to the shepherding work. They do not know of the constant care, the vigilance of the faithful overseer who watches over them as parents watch over their little children. A loving parent does not continually impress upon a child how hard he has to work to provide a home, food and clothes, does he? He wants his children to be carefree and happy, yet realizing some measure of responsibility. Out of love the parent serves long hours for the family and never looks for reward. So also it is with a faithful shepherd and his sheep. Serve because you love.

⁷ You do not want to lose any of the sheep in your care, do you? Their safety lies in keeping in the fold and depending on the true and right shepherd watching over them. Psalm 23 assures us: “Jehovah is my Shepherd. I shall lack nothing. . . . Even though I walk in the valley of deep shadow, I fear nothing bad, for you are with me.” Therefore you must watch that the sheep do not stray from the fold. Your work is to keep out marauders. Look after the sheep. Be careful of wolves in sheep’s clothing. Today multitudes are flocking into the New World society and all kinds of men are coming. We want to help all kinds of men to clean up and dedicate their lives to Jehovah God. Those who do not, and are determined not to do so, you are to keep your eye on, for the protection of the sheep. Shepherds, watch the flock of God among you.

8. Show how a shepherd should refrain from burdening the sheep.

⁸ You must lead them out to pasture, or else they will weaken and die. Show the sheep where they can browse upon the Word of Jehovah. Teach them how to study. Break up the food for them while they are young. Go into necessary explanations so they will understand. They will chew it later for themselves. Show them the precious truths of God’s Word. Open out to them the purposes of Jehovah. As they eat they will want to move about in the pasture. Show them how they can help yet ‘other sheep’ to eat good food and grow strong. Train them to preach constantly. Lead them in the way they should go. Do not burden them with your problems. Rather, discuss yours with other shepherds, and if they cannot help you, take your problems to the Good Shepherd and to the Chief Shepherd, Jehovah God. “Cast all your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you. Keep your senses, be watchful.” (1 Pet. 5:7, 8) He will take your burden and answer your prayers, but certainly carry your own load and do not unload them on the sheep. You bear the load and keep them happy and in good spiritual health.

9. Relate how Peter was saved by his Shepherd’s care and prayer.

⁹ Remember the experience of the apostle Peter, when Jesus said to him: “Simon, Simon, look! Satan has demanded to have you men to sift you as wheat. But I have made supplication for you that your faith may not give out; and you, when once you have returned, give support to your brothers.” (Luke 22:31, 32) Peter was saved from Satan’s power through his Shepherd’s supplication for him. Jesus could not help him because of his own near trial and death; so he prayed to the Chief Shepherd, Jehovah. Jehovah heard and answered the prayer by bringing Peter to his senses, and Peter became a tower of strength to his brothers. This consideration shown by the Lord Jesus for Peter should make you very happy, for “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever.” (Heb. 13:8) He is our Intercessor. When you see danger coming, pray to Jehovah for his sheep, so they will not get lost. If one of his sheep is enduring great trial, do not aggravate the situation, but try to ease it with cheerfulness, with reminders of God’s good Word of promise. Pray for your brothers that Satan will not sift them as wheat. True, we must mind our own business, but we must help spiritually. That is your business; if not, why are you a shepherd?

10. How must a shepherd be found ‘spending and being spent’?

¹⁰ Our service as shepherds should be unstinting. The apostle Paul, a faithful shepherd, did not think of his personal comforts. Read of his experiences at 2 Corinthians 11:21-33. He was beaten with rods, was stoned, was in danger from his own race, from the nations, was in dangers at sea, in the cities, spent sleepless nights—and why? So he might give a good account to Jehovah God, who, through Christ, had charged him: “I am sending you, to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan to God.” (Acts 26:17, 18) He said: “For my part, I will most gladly spend and be completely spent for your souls.” (2 Cor. 12:15) Do you shrink from giving your strength, your time, or from suffering, or giving up your own comforts for the sheep? Are you ‘spending and being spent’ for the flock of God? All the apostles spent and were spent.

11, 12. How is it possible to lose sheep? And how can the shepherd prevent this?

¹¹ The Lord Jesus Christ set the example for all, and his record is perfect. As a faithful shepherd he did not lose one sheep. Examine your record. Have you been guilty of losing any of the sheep of God? It is known that some leave because their hearts are not set on Jehovah, and some may go away speaking evil. But how about all the others? Have you lost any because of your neglect or carelessness, or by offending them, or by not leading them into the ways and ministry of Jehovah and Christ? Has there been failure to feed them, not following up on the back-calls, not conducting Bible studies with them, not helping them at the meetings? When they have been weak, have you quickly gone to their aid, or just shown indifference? If they have been sick spiritually, have you cared for them? Let each examine himself and consider this shepherding work more thoroughly and carefully for himself, and not for another.

¹² Sometimes the deplorable condition of sheep calls for urgent help. Prove yourself to be a true and faithful shepherd to the flock. Have you tried to understand their problem, to consider their real difficulty, their upbringing, domestic circumstances, or opposition in the home? Are they in the cold? If you can, help them personally or through someone else. If you cannot reach them, always keep in mind that you can pray. Our Lord Jesus prayed for Peter when he could not help Peter personally. Do not think lightly of the power of prayer. The Scriptures state: “And the prayer of faith will make the indisposed one well, and Jehovah will raise him up. Also if he has committed sins, it will be forgiven him. Therefore openly confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may get healed. A righteous man’s supplication when it is at work has much force.” (Jas. 5:15, 16) Always keep in mind how considerate and tender Jehovah, the Great Shepherd, and Jesus, the Right Shepherd, have been toward you.

GATHERING DURING THE “TIME OF THE END”

13. How will the Great Shepherd gather all his sheep?

¹³ The Great Shepherd promised that at the “time of the end” he would gather together all his sheep. From all parts of the world they would be gathered. (Ezek. 34:11-16, AS) These lost sheep have to be found by Jehovah’s undershepherds. The sheep know the shepherd’s voice; so you have to keep calling out to them. Not any voice, for sheep do not answer a strange voice. Jesus said: “The sheep follow him, because they know his voice. A stranger they will by no means follow but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers. . . . I am the right shepherd, and I know my sheep and my sheep know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.” Then respecting the “other sheep” he had this to say: “Those also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd.”—John 10:4-16.

14, 15. What is the voice of the Right Shepherd? How is it being amplified?

¹⁴ Today the voice of the Right Shepherd is being amplified everywhere in over 160 countries. What is that voice? Why, the good Word of Jehovah and Christ Jesus. Not only our publishing of the holy Word itself, but our causing it to speak by our showing its fulfillment in conditions among God’s people and in the world. Call to mind the first time you perceived how God’s Word was being fulfilled. Did not your heart rejoice? You knew there is a God in heaven. He really exists. Possibly you have had doubts, but now you know that God is. What a joy and happiness! The Word was speaking to you. It was alive, a living Word,