Shepherding vs. Feeding

 

Shepherding vs. Feeding

John 10:11–16 “I am the good Shepherd; the good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep…”

1 Pet. 2:2 “As newborn babes, long for the guileless milk of the word, that by it you may grow unto salvation.” 

Aspect	Shepherding	Feeding
Meaning	The shepherd’s holistic care for the flock, including guiding, protecting, cherishing, and perfecting, so that the sheep may live, grow, and mature (John 10:11; 1 Pet. 5:2).	Supplying believers with spiritual food so that their spiritual life may be nourished and grow; the core element of shepherding (1 Pet. 2:2; John 21:15).
Distinction	Broader in scope: includes feeding, cherishing, nourishing, overseeing; focuses on the whole process of growth and building up in life.	Focused on supplying spiritual food (milk and solid food of God’s word), so that newborn believers may survive and gradually grow.
Function	Enables believers not only to grow in divine life but also to mature, manifest their functions, and be built up into the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:11–13; Heb. 5:14).	Helps newborn believers survive spiritually, grow day by day, be saved from sin and weakness, and enter into practical Christian living (1 Pet. 2:2; 1 Cor. 3:2).
Examples	Christ as the “good Shepherd” caring for His sheep; Peter charged to shepherd the Lord’s sheep; Paul shepherding the church with a shepherd’s heart (John 10:11; John 21:15–17; Acts 20:28).	Paul likened himself to a nursing mother feeding the believers (1 Thes. 2:7); Peter exhorted newborn babes to long for the milk of the word (1 Pet. 2:2).
Application	Elders and coworkers must shepherd the flock by cherishing and nourishing; in church life, believers should shepherd one another, perfect the saints, and build up the Body.	In personal spiritual life, believers need to be fed daily through morning watch and the Word; in vital groups, time must be spent to feed new and weak saints through prayer and the Word.
Related Scriptures	1 Pet. 5:2–4 “Shepherd the flock of God among you… when the Chief Shepherd is manifested, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”; Heb. 13:20 “Now the God of peace… brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep…”	1 Pet. 2:2 “As newborn babes, long for the guileless milk of the word, that by it you may grow unto salvation.”; 1 Cor. 3:2 “I gave you milk to drink, not solid food…”; John 21:15–17 “Feed My lambs… Shepherd My sheep.”

 

Key Points:

1.      Feeding is the core of shepherding—shepherding always includes feeding, especially for newborn believers.

2.      Shepherding is broader—beyond feeding, it includes cherishing, nourishing, perfecting, and guiding.

3.      Ultimate goal—through feeding and shepherding, believers may grow, mature, manifest their functions, and be built up into the Body of Christ.

Conclusion:

• Shepherding and feeding are inseparable: feeding is the basis, shepherding is the extension.
• Christ is the Chief Shepherd and the great Shepherd, who supplies and cherishes us so that we may shepherd and feed others.
• Practical application: in today’s church life, we must practice shepherding and feeding in vital groups with love and patience, that the children of God may grow to maturity and fulfill God’s eternal economy.

 

*Please refer to the June 2025 Summer Training, General Topic: Experiencing, Enjoying, and Manifesting Christ (Part 3), Chapter 10: Shepherding According to God