Feeding People vs
Shepherding People vs Gathering People into One Flock
John 21:15 When they had
finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you
love me more than these?" Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord; you know
that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs."
1 Peter 5:2 Shepherd God's
flock among you, exercising oversight—not under compulsion, but willingly; not
for self-serving pleasure, but eagerly;
John 10:16 "I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold; I must bring them too, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd."
Aspect |
Feeding People |
Shepherding People |
Gathering People into One Flock |
Meaning |
Imparting the
supply of life to new believers or those in need (spiritual
food, truth, word). |
Continuous
care, leading, protecting, supplying for growth and maturity. |
Not just
individual care, but bringing people into corporate fellowship and blending, becoming one Body. |
Reason |
The Lord
commanded Peter: “Feed My lambs.” (John 21:15). The lambs need
milk, the basic supply. |
The Lord
Himself is the great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20); elders must shepherd as examples
(1 Pet. 5:4). |
The Lord said:
“They will become one flock with one Shepherd.” (John 10:16), uniting Jews and
Gentiles. |
Distinction |
Focus on the “initial stage,” meeting
basic life needs. |
Focus on “continuous care,” producing
growth and building. |
Focus on “corporate unity,” bringing
people into Body life. |
Way/Method |
Supply through
God’s word, prayer, testimony; like parents feeding infants. |
Through
visiting, teaching, accompanying, interceding, even correcting and
protecting, like a shepherd leading sheep. |
By bringing
people into home meetings, church life; creating an atmosphere of love,
fellowship, and blending so that individuals become members. |
Examples |
Paul fed the
Thessalonians like a nursing mother (1 Thes. 2:7). |
The Lord
shepherded the disciples daily, teaching and correcting them. |
After
Pentecost, the believers were together daily, breaking bread (Acts 2:46–47), being gathered as one. |
Application |
In gospel work,
to lead new believers to receive the supply of Christ’s life. |
In the church,
elders and saints shepherd one another for maturity. |
In the Lord’s
recovery, churches are joined as one flock, living out the reality of the
Body, fulfilling God’s eternal economy. |
Mutual Relationship |
Feeding is the
beginning of shepherding. |
Shepherding is
the continuation and expansion of feeding. |
Gathering as
one flock is the climax and goal of shepherding. |
Expanded Scriptures |
John 21:15 — “Jesus said to Simon Peter… Feed My lambs.” |
Heb. 13:20–21 — “…the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord
Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep…” |
John 10:16 — “And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must
lead them also… and there shall be one flock, one Shepherd.” |
Key Points:
Feeding → Shepherding → Becoming
One Flock is a divine sequence. Each stage builds on the previous, fulfilling
God’s eternal economy in the building up of the Body of Christ.
Conclusion:
The way of feeding, shepherding, and gathering into one
flock is the only effective way for the church to grow, be built up, and
accomplish God’s eternal purpose.
*Please refer to the June
2025 Summer Training, General Topic: Experiencing, Enjoying, and Manifesting
Christ (Part 3), Chapter 10: Shepherding According to God
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