How can church leaders ensure they "lead them out" as instructed in Numbers 27:17? Setting the Context “Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who will go out and come in before them, who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” (Numbers 27:16-17) What “lead them out” Signifies • A shepherd’s visible movement in front of the flock—never hidden, never distant • Initiating action, not merely approving it (cf. John 10:4, “When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them…”) • Venturing into new terrain while guarding the safety of every sheep • Modeling dependence on the Lord as Joshua would model dependence on God’s presence (Joshua 1:5-7) Practical Ways Church Leaders Can “Lead Out” Today • Teach the whole counsel of God without trimming the truth (Acts 20:27; 2 Timothy 4:2) • Live transparently before the flock so people see a pattern worth imitating (1 Peter 5:3; Hebrews 13:7) • Initiate evangelistic and mercy ministries rather than delegating all frontline work • Be first to sacrifice time, comfort, and resources—demonstrating faith in action • Equip every believer for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12), then walk with them into service until they stand firm on their own • Maintain regular, shepherd-like contact—home visits, shared meals, personal counsel • Defend against spiritual predators by confronting error and disciplining lovingly but decisively (Acts 20:28-31) • Keep intercessory prayer central, seeking the Lord’s direction before each initiative (Exodus 33:15) Guarding Against Shepherdless Drift • Continual presence discourages fragmentation and confusion • Clear biblical direction unifies diverse gifts around Christ’s mission • Ongoing accountability prevents leaders from slipping into either passivity or authoritarianism Keeping Eyes on the Chief Shepherd “The Chief Shepherd appears” (1 Peter 5:4), so every under-shepherd measures leadership by Jesus’ pattern: — He knows each sheep by name (John 10:3) — He walks ahead into danger and sacrifice (John 10:11) — He never abandons the flock (Hebrews 13:5) When church leaders daily align with that model, they truly “lead them out,” and the congregation is never left “like sheep without a shepherd.” |
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