True leaders lead people whom they are in touch with. The more you are in touch with the people you lead, the better you can care for them, the more effective you will be in realizing your objectives.
In this short video introduction De Waal Esterhuizen shares on how leaders should increasingly be aware of the needs of others as you work in a group. This is part of the Leadership Growth Series of 2016 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bV7AYmR6aY)
Scripture
Psalms 23:1-6
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Observation and reflection questions
- David was a shepherd who beautifully expressed in his vocational language how he experienced the Lord’s care of the LORD. In the table below write in your own words what you understand David conveyed what the Lord’s model of leadership looks like, based on Psalm 23. [Hint: look at the verbs, and discern the shepherding-context]
| David’s words conveying how he experienced the Lord’s leading and care | How biblical leadership ought to lead and care as our Lord does (from Psalm 23) |
| The LORD is my shepherd | |
| I shall not want | |
| He makes me lie down in green pastures | |
| He leads me beside still waters | |
| He restores my soul | |
| He leads me in paths of righteousness | |
| Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me | |
| your rod and your staff, they comfort me | |
| You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies | |
| you anoint my head with oil | |
| my cup overflows | |
| Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life | |
| and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever |
Application questions and prayer
Throughout the Bible leaders are referred to as “shepherds” because of the patient, intimate care by which they lead the people of God. But our Lord Himself is frequently referred to as the Good or Great Shepherd of his sheep – he is the ultimate model of leadership from whom we learn.
- Among other things Psalm 23 shows that leaders have the following obligations towards the needs of followers:
(i) Leading: a clear sense of direction.
(ii) Caring: provision, security/ protection, problem-solving, wellness/ healing
- How well do you think you fulfill the needs of the people you lead? Where have you grown well and where can you improve in each of these areas mentioned in Psalm 23?
(a) a clear sense of direction
(b) provision
(c) security and protection
(d) problem-solving
(e) wellness and healing
- You will do well to ask one or two honest people whom you lead for feedback on how they perceive your leading in terms of these aspects mentioned above.
Prayer
Thank God for entrusting people and vision to your leadership. Pray the Lord’s prayer, asking the Lord to give you grace to love, lead and care as he does.
Shofar Durbanville Bible Studies 
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