Publisher's Synopsis
Shepherd: Creating Caring Community is a 64-page book designed to help church leaders train volunteers who lead a Sunday School class or small Bible study group. The concept of shepherding is popping up everywhere. Today's educators (especially online educators), retailers, parents, managers, and mentors all draw from the concept of the shepherd. They are not the first. The Bible has a great deal to say about shepherds and sheep. We are called the sheep of His pasture (Psa. 100:3), sheep in need of a shepherd (Matt. 9:36), sheep for whom the Shepherd laid down His life (John 10:11), sheep knowing the voice of our Shepherd (John 10:14), and lost sheep being sought (Matt. 18:10-13). As leaders of a Bible study group, we carry the responsibility of being a shepherd. To be a good shepherd, we will need a system for creating a caring community. David Francis identifies some key concepts that are foundational to a system that shepherds people well. Shepherds also assume different positions with their flock depending on the situation: guiding the group from the front, being among the flock, and walking behind the flock. Ken Braddy addresses the role of shepherd in terms of its weekly sequence: before, during, and after the group gathers. There are new developments in the science of teaching and learning that impact how we shepherd as well. Ken Coley offers some practical ways shepherding-teachers can be more effective disciple-makers by embracing and employing some of these discoveries. This book is for everyone involved in a Bible study group and is the fourth of four books in the 3 Roles series. This series of books encourages groups and group leaders to create conversational communities (Teacher), create caring communities (Shepherd), and create commissioned communities (Leader). Free PDF downloads are available at Lifeway.com/DavidFrancis Features: • Jesus' model for teaching • The Before, During, and After sequence of a teaching shepherd • Biblical (and research-validated) teaching strategies and techniques Benefits: • Develop a system for shepherding in your church or group. • Understand the differences between a shepherd and a teacher. • Learn the roles and responsibilities of a shepherd. • See what to do before, during, and after the group meeting. • Discover how to be a better teaching shepherd.
