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1 Peter 5 2-1 Peter 5 3
Be shepherds of God’s flock, the believers under your care. Watch over them, though not because you have to. Instead, do it because you want to. That’s what God wants you to do. Don’t do it because you want to get money in dishonest ways. Do it because you really want to serve.Don’t act as if you were a ruler over those under your care. Instead, be examples to the flock.
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1 Timothy 4 16
Be careful of how you live and what you believe. Never give up. Then you will save yourself and those who hear you.
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Isaiah 40:11
He takes care of his flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in his arms. He carries them close to his heart. He gently leads those that have little ones.
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Acts 13:2
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke.“ Set apart Barnabas and Saul for me,” he said.“ I have appointed them to do special work.”
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1 Corinthians 10 32
Don’t do anything that causes another person to trip and fall. It doesn’t matter if that person is a Jew or a Greek or a member of God’s church.
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1 Peter 1 18-1 Peter 1 19
You were set free from an empty way of life. This way of life was handed down to you by your own people of long ago. You know that you were not bought with things that can pass away, like silver or gold.Instead, you were bought with the priceless blood of Christ. He is a perfect lamb. He doesn’t have any flaws at all.
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1 Timothy 5 17
The elders who do the church’s work well are worth twice as much honor. That is true in a special way of elders who preach and teach.
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1 Timothy 3 2
A leader must be free from blame. He must be faithful to his wife. In anything he does, he must not go too far. He must control himself. He must be worthy of respect. He must welcome people into his home. He must be able to teach.
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Philippians 1:1
We, Paul and Timothy, are writing this letter. We serve Christ Jesus. We are sending this letter to you, all God’s holy people in Philippi. You belong to Christ Jesus. We are also sending this letter to your leaders and deacons.
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Micah 7:14
Lord, be like a shepherd to your people. Take good care of them. They are your flock. They live by themselves in the safety of a forest. Rich grasslands are all around them. Let them eat grass in Bashan and Gilead just as they did long ago.
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Luke 12:32
“ Little flock, do not be afraid. Your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
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Hebrews 13:17
Trust in your leaders. Put yourselves under their authority. Do this, because they keep watch over you. They know they are accountable to God for everything they do. Do this, so that their work will be a joy. If you make their work a heavy load, it won’t do you any good.
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Micah 5:4
That promised son will stand firm and be a shepherd for his flock. The Lord will give him the strength to do it. The Lord his God will give him the authority to rule. His people will live safely. His greatness will reach from one end of the earth to the other.
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Ephesians 1:7
We have been set free because of what Christ has done. Because he bled and died our sins have been forgiven. We have been set free because God’s grace is so rich.
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1 Timothy 3 5
Suppose someone doesn’t know how to manage his own family. Then how can he take care of God’s church?
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Acts 20:29
I know that after I leave, wild wolves will come in among you. They won’t spare any of the sheep.
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1 Corinthians 1 2
We are sending this letter to you, the members of God’s church in Corinth. You have been made holy because you belong to Christ Jesus. God has chosen you to be his holy people. He has done the same for all people everywhere who pray to our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is their Lord and ours.
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1 Timothy 3 15-1 Timothy 3 16
Then if I have to put off my visit, you will know how people should act in God’s family. The family of God is the church of the living God. It is the pillar and foundation of the truth.There is no doubt that true godliness comes from this great mystery. Jesus came as a human being. The Holy Spirit proved that he was the Son of God. He was seen by angels. He was preached among the nations. People in the world believed in him. He was taken up to heaven in glory.
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1 Corinthians 12 8-1 Corinthians 12 11
To some people the Spirit gives a message of wisdom. To others the same Spirit gives a message of knowledge.To others the same Spirit gives faith. To others that one Spirit gives gifts of healing.To others he gives the power to do miracles. To others he gives the ability to prophesy. To others he gives the ability to tell the spirits apart. To others he gives the ability to speak in different kinds of languages they had not known before. And to still others he gives the ability to explain what was said in those languages.All the gifts are produced by one and the same Spirit. He gives gifts to each person, just as he decides.
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John 21:15-17
When Jesus and the disciples had finished eating, Jesus spoke to Simon Peter. He asked,“ Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these others do?”“ Yes, Lord,” he answered.“ You know that I love you.” Jesus said,“ Feed my lambs.”Again Jesus asked,“ Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He answered,“ Yes, Lord. You know that I love you.” Jesus said,“ Take care of my sheep.”Jesus spoke to him a third time. He asked,“ Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt bad because Jesus asked him the third time,“ Do you love me?” He answered,“ Lord, you know all things. You know that I love you.” Jesus said,“ Feed my sheep.
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1 Corinthians 9 26-1 Corinthians 9 27
So I do not run like someone who doesn’t run toward the finish line. I do not fight like a boxer who hits nothing but air.No, I train my body and bring it under control. Then after I have preached to others, I myself will not break the rules. If I did break them, I would fail to win the prize.
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Titus 1:7
A church leader takes care of God’s family. That’s why he must be without blame. He must not look after only his own interests. He must not get angry easily. He must not get drunk. He must not push people around. He must not try to get money by cheating people.
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1 Corinthians 12 28-1 Corinthians 12 31
First, God has placed apostles in the church. Second, he has placed prophets in the church. Third, he has placed teachers in the church. Then he has given to the church miracles and gifts of healing. He also has given the gift of helping others and the gift of guiding the church. God also has given the gift of speaking in different kinds of languages.Is everyone an apostle? Is everyone a prophet? Is everyone a teacher? Do all work miracles?Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in languages they had not known before? Do all explain what is said in those languages?But above all, you should want the more important gifts. But now I will show you the best way of all.
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Psalms 78:70-72
He chose his servant David. He took him from the sheep pens.He brought him from tending sheep to be the shepherd of his people Jacob. He made him the shepherd of Israel, his special people.David cared for them with a faithful and honest heart. With skilled hands he led them.
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1 Corinthians 15 9
I am the least important of the apostles. I’m not even fit to be called an apostle. I tried to destroy God’s church.
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Jeremiah 3:15
Then I will give you shepherds who are dear to my heart. Their knowledge and understanding will help them lead you.
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1 Peter 2 25
“ You were like sheep wandering away.”( Isaiah 53:6) But now you have returned to the Shepherd. He is the one who watches over your souls.
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1 Peter 2 9
But God chose you to be his people. You are royal priests. You are a holy nation. You are God’s special treasure. You are all these things so that you can give him praise. God brought you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
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Revelation 5:9
Here is the new song they sang.“ You are worthy to take the scroll and break open its seals. You are worthy because you were put to death. With your blood you bought people for God. They come from every tribe, people and nation, no matter what language they speak.
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Psalms 74:2
Remember the nation that you chose as your own so long ago. Remember that you set us free from slavery to be your very own people. Remember Mount Zion, where you lived.
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Matthew 2:6
“‘ But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are certainly not the least important among the towns of Judah. A ruler will come out of you. He will rule my people Israel like a shepherd.’ ”( Micah 5:2)
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Jeremiah 13:20
Jerusalem, look up! Your enemies are coming from the north. Where is the flock you were supposed to take care of? Where are the sheep you were so proud of?
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Ezekiel 34:3
Instead, you eat the butter. You dress yourselves with the wool. You kill the finest animals. But you do not take care of your flocks.
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Isaiah 53:10-12
The Lord says,“ It was my plan to crush him and cause him to suffer. I made his life an offering to pay for sin. But he will see all his children after him. In fact, he will continue to live. My plan will be brought about through him.After he has suffered, he will see the light of life. And he will be satisfied. My godly servant will make many people godly because of what he will accomplish. He will be punished for their sins.So I will give him a place of honor among those who are great. He will be rewarded just like others who win the battle. That’s because he was willing to give his life as a sacrifice. He was counted among those who had committed crimes. He took the sins of many people on himself. And he gave his life for those who had done what is wrong.”
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Proverbs 10:21
The words of those who do right benefit many people. But those who are foolish die because they have no sense.
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2 Chronicles 19 6-2 Chronicles 19 7
He told the judges,“ Think carefully about what you do. After all, you aren’t judging for human beings. You are judging for the Lord. He’s with you every time you make a decision.Have respect for the Lord. Judge carefully. He is always right. He treats everyone the same. Our God doesn’t want his judges to take money from people who want special favors.”
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Colossians 4:17
Tell Archippus,“ Be sure that you complete the work the Lord gave you to do.”
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Jeremiah 13:17
If you don’t listen, I will weep in secret. Because you are so proud, I will weep bitterly. Tears will flow from my eyes. The Lord’ s flock will be taken away as prisoners.
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Ephesians 1:14
The Spirit marks us as God’s own. We can now be sure that someday we will receive all that God has promised. That will happen after God sets all his people completely free. All these things will bring praise to his glory.
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Zechariah 11:4
The Lord my God says,“ Take care of the sheep that are set apart to be sacrificed.
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Ephesians 4:11
So Christ himself gave the gift of the apostles to the church. He gave the prophets and those who preach the good news. And he also gave the pastors and teachers as a gift to the church.
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Matthew 16:18
Here is what I tell you. You are Peter. On this rock I will build my church. The gates of hell will not be strong enough to destroy it.
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1 Timothy 4 14
Don’t fail to use the gift the Holy Spirit gave you. He gave it to you through a prophecy from God. It was given when the elders placed their hands on you.
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1John 1:7
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Colossians 1:14
Because of what the Son has done, we have been set free. Because of him, all our sins have been forgiven.
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Luke 21:34
“ Be careful. If you aren’t, your hearts will be loaded down with wasteful living, drunkenness and the worries of life. Then the day the Son of Man returns will close on you like a trap. It will happen suddenly.
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Hebrews 12:15
Be sure that no one misses out on God’s grace. See to it that a bitter plant doesn’t grow up. If it does, it will cause trouble. And it will make many people impure.
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Galatians 1:13
You have heard how I lived earlier in my Jewish way of life. With all my strength I attacked the church of God. I tried to destroy it.
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Acts 20:17
From Miletus, Paul sent for the elders of the church at Ephesus.
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Ezekiel 34:31
“ You are my sheep. You belong to my flock. And I am your God,” announces the Lord and King.
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Acts 14:23
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church. The elders had trusted in the Lord. Paul and Barnabas prayed and fasted. They placed the elders in the Lord’s care.
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Mark 13:9
“ Watch out! You will be handed over to the local courts. You will be whipped in the synagogues. You will stand in front of governors and kings because of me. In that way you will be witnesses to them.
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Isaiah 63:11
Then his people remembered what he did long ago. They recalled the days of Moses and his people. They asked,“ Where is the God who brought Israel through the Red Sea? Moses led them as the shepherd of his flock. Where is the God who put his Holy Spirit among them?
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Hebrews 9:12-14
He did not enter by spilling the blood of goats and calves. He entered the Most Holy Room by spilling his own blood. He did it once and for all time. In this way, he paid the price to set us free from sin forever.The blood of goats and bulls is sprinkled on people. So are the ashes of a young cow. They are sprinkled on people the law called“ unclean.” The people are sprinkled to make them holy. That makes them“ clean” on the outside.But Christ offered himself to God without any flaw. He did this through the power of the eternal Holy Spirit. So how much cleaner will the blood of Christ make us! It washes away our feelings of guilt for committing sin. Sin always leads to death. But now we can serve the living God.
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1 Corinthians 11 22
Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? You are shaming those in the church who have nothing. Do you think so little of God’s church that you do this? What should I say to you? Should I praise you? Certainly not about the Lord’s Supper!
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Song of Solomon 1 7-Song of Solomon 1 8
“ King Solomon, I love you. So tell me where you take care of your flock. Tell me where you rest your sheep at noon. Why should I have to act like a prostitute near the flocks of your friends?”“ You are the most beautiful woman of all. Don’t you know where to find the king? Follow the tracks the sheep make. Take care of your young goats near the tents of the shepherds.”
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Jeremiah 31:10
“ Listen to my message, you nations. Announce it on shores far away. Say,‘ He who scattered Israel will gather them. He will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’