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In this lesson, Dr. Laniak describes a shepherd who knows each sheep in his flock by touch. How does this level of knowing/intimacy translate to your leadership role? How is the type of biblical restoration discussed in this lesson relevant to your leadership context?
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Dr. Laniak’s description of a shepherd knowing each sheep by touch shows how leaders should personally know and care for their team members. Good leaders understand each person’s strengths and challenges, building trust through honest communication. They offer guidance, protect their team, and help everyone grow by giving them the support they need.
The idea of biblical restoration relates to leadership by focusing on healing and bringing people back to their best. Leaders help team members recover from problems, resolve conflicts, and find their purpose. By being compassionate and supportive, leaders create a positive and strong team environment, similar to how a shepherd lovingly cares for each sheep.
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Touch, in biblical restoration, suggests KNOWING the person in an intimate way. We are called to touch the untouchables; the very ones who are so often denied honor and dignity. Just as Christ has done for us (several times over), we are to assist with physically returning and spiritual repentance which leads to restoration. Remember, the lost who have gone astray “are the ones God misses the most.”
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I sense I person using one of his senses and that is the sense of touch. I also sense this person having the gift of healing by touching. Just by knowing me this person can protect me and his simple touch encourages and convinces me that he is true and cares for me deeply. So, as one of God’s shepherds I will know, because of the gifts that he will give me. These gifts will be used to care for His flock. With these gifts I must keep His flock strong and spiritually feed.
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This level of knowing/intimacy, knowing each sheep by touch, translate to having a close relationship with each sheep by spending time with them, nurturing them, knowing the details about them that grows from being hospitable toward each one. The biblical restoration discussed in this lesson is relevant to me as a leader in that it is in line with what God has set forth for His leaders to do, God seeks compassionate and nurturing shepherds who will sustain His people which is how I should shepherd His sheep. To be guided by God’s Word and looking to the Chief Shepherd is nourishing to me and as a result nourishing to the flock. As God guides me, so I am able to guide the flock in my care for God’s glory.
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Said nicely.
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Being a leader it is very important to know your flock as best as you can, however depending on the size it might be worth commissioning other persons over the flock if you are unable to interact with everyone personally, but being able to have a close relationship with each person provides a deeper level of trust as a leader. Oftentimes we know sheep will go astray but our heart must be that of compassion in order to restore one to the flock, at all times we must remember that our Good Shepherd did that for us when we went astray.
