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oct '03 - "the heart of a shepherd" - part 1 Team Training
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when we talk about caring for people, often in the church, we might refer to someone with a "shepherd's heart." that's what we'll be exploring together over the next couple of months. I want to dive into 2 things that might help us shape a shepherd's heart within us…2 things that will help us care for the students God has entrusted to us. but before we jump into those things…let's take a look at the biblical image of a shepherd – someone who keeps the sheep's best interests in mind. the bible gives us several images that relate 'care taking' to that of a shepherd. |
John 21 – Jesus said, ‘if you love me, take care of my sheep'
Psalm 23 – we're told that the Lord is our shepherd and because the Lord is a good, caring shepherd, we can rest.
the biblical shepherd is a protector and provider, which translates into a person who loves. shepherding students is a great picture of a youth worker who is caring for students on a week-to-week basis and has the students' best interests in mind.
have you ever wondered what a job description of an actual shepherd is? check this out... see if there are any similarities between this and youth ministry.
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a shepherd... moves sheep to greener pastures. they drive them to places where there is more food. the sheep move slowly, feeding as they go, gradually working their way to more fruitful places. sometimes the shepherd uses words to move the sheep and other times they 'bash' the sheep with their staff. |
now, before you email me wondering why that "bashing stick" wasn't issued the day you signed up, did you catch the inferences in there about how sheep move slowly – how the shepherd nudges, directs and moves them along…often using their words and sometimes using more extreme measures to challenge and prod sheep along? the shepherd keeps a watchful eye on his/her sheep.
without intentional care and attention – sheep can get lost.
...let's be honest, being a shepherd of students isn't as easy as it sounds, and for most youth workers I know, including myself, it doesn't come naturally; but because we're leaders – we're learners…so here's the first of a few action steps that might help us become stronger shepherds.
shepherds “know” their sheep!
let's start with the very basics of 'knowing' our sheep and that's knowing our students by NAME! I know you're thinking “I was afraid you were going to say that! …that's hard!" I struggle with this too, and so do most youth workers I know! it's an easy excuse to fall back on. I know that it means a lot to students to know them by name. it's their greatest possession. I've seen the delight it brings on the face of a student when I remember their name…but I've also seen the look of disappointment when I don't. a NAME is a powerful thing. it's a treasured part of a student's identity and it's worth our investment to improve at remembering and knowing names.
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here are a few suggestions from me and other youth workers to help you remember names: |
- ask to see their picture ID – sometimes seeing the name with the face is helpful
- use some of your retreat photos to quiz yourself – flash cards
- use that student's name in a sentence as you meet them
example: “hi Tina, sure nice to meet you, Tina, thanks for being here, Tina. how many times, Tina, do you think, Tina, that I can use Tina, your name, Tina, in a sentence, Tina, Tina, Tina?”
- associate a name with someone else you know…
example: you meet a kid named Jay and he has a big head and chin – you might associate them with Jay Leno. you think Jay = Jay Leno
- study a face intentionally while you're being introduced to them -
transfer some facial feature as a concrete image to their name
example: mole on his face – you think: Mike = mole (mike, mole, mike mole)
- write their names down (on your hand, a card) – sometimes the simple task of jotting it on paper helps your mind picture it there next time you see them
- challenge kids: hey, I remember your name and you owe me a coke; I forget your name and I owe you a coke (be ready to pay up – but also watch your mind work on getting your thirst met)
- ask God to help you be able to remember names
shepherding is MORE than simply knowing names…it's much deeper than that. that's why we've structured our small groups so that students can be known & cared for the best way possible. we're not asking you to intentionally focus on everyone…just those in your group.
remember the words of Jesus in John 10 – “I am the great shepherd, I know my sheep and my sheep know my voice.”
let me ask you a rhetorical question: “how well do you know your students?” think about the one you know best…
do you know how they feel about their parents? what's their family situation like @ home?
do you know at least 2 spiritual experiences that have impacted them?
what questions does this student have about God and life?
do you know what they desire in life, what they love to do, what they fear, what kind of friends they have, their common reoccurring sin or struggle, do you know what their spiritual habits are?
do you know if this kid's parents are loaded and can loan you money? (if so, let me know :-)
as you think about that list... that's knowing a student at a deeper level than just knowing their name. now, if you don't know all your kids like that right now, that's OK! but the heart of a shepherd looks for ways to continue to get to know kids.
one practical way to get to know students deeper is to spend time with them in THEIR WORLD… when you enter a kid's world, you say with your presence that “you are important to me.” obviously you can't attend every one of your students' sporting games or activities…but maybe the kids that you are shepherding – you say to them… ‘what are 3 important events that are happening in your life this semester?” you write them down and you say to them…I'm going to do my best to hit one of those. at the very least, you have three things you can be intentionally praying for and discussion starters to ask them about.
another practical suggestion: write down on a piece of paper/index card the following view words… heart, mind, relationships, and faith. as you get to know students better, you might jot down things about that student that fit within those categories… for example here are some questions you might pursue knowing…
Heart:
what do they love doing? how can I help them enjoy what they love? how can I encourage their future dreams?Mind:
what are the issues and questions that occupy their mind? how can I help them voice these questions and doubts? how can I help them feel safe and share their personal struggles?Relationships:
who are they in meaningful relationships with? who's in their family? who outside their family or in the church do they know? how can I help this student to heal some painful relationships?Faith:
where does this student share his/her struggles or victories about God? what faith issues is she dealing with right now? how can I encourage their faith journey today, this week?
these suggestions aren't that easy – but the BIG principle here is that you're doing everything you can to get to know the students God has entrusted to your care. it starts with learning their names and moves to greater dreams and passions and questions.
next month: we'll look at how shepherds know how to MOVE their sheep…
Making It Personal
(take 5 minutes to consider)
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who are some students that you "know"?take a moment to pray for them in some specific ways based around what you know.
- are there any in your sphere of care that God might have you get to know better in the next few months?
- what are 1 or 2 things you'd like to implement - tips you'd like to start to do to help KNOW students?
think about your action plan to make that a reality - what are you going to do?
Shout Out
Email me back your quick thoughts on something that "hit" you as you thought through this month's challenge: "the heart of a shepherd" - part 1
