<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scripture: Psalm 23:1–3 <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The Lord is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.”<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Psalm 23 reminds us that God Himself is our Shepherd. He provides, leads, restores, comforts, and stays with His people.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shepherding begins by receiving God’s care. We cannot give what we have not received. When we know the Lord as our Shepherd, we become more able to reflect His care to others.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shepherding does not require doing everything. It does not require being available every moment or solving every problem. Shepherds simply love faithfully, one person at a time.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A message can matter. A prayer can matter. A conversation can matter. A visit can matter. A gentle question like, “How are you really doing?” can open the door for healing and hope.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Klēsia, shepherds remind us that people are not interruptions to the mission. People are part of the mission. The church is healthiest when love, care, and connection flow through the body.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the same time, shepherding points beyond itself. We care for people so they grow stronger in Jesus, become mature in faith, and join God’s mission with courage and love.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today, receive the care of the Good Shepherd, then share that care with someone else.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reflection questions:<ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); list-style-type: decimal; font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How can I show the care of Jesus in one relationship this week?</li><li aria-level="1" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); list-style-type: decimal; font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How can our community become a place where people are known, supported, and encouraged?</li></ol><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prayer: <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lord, You are my Shepherd, and You restore my soul. Help me love faithfully, one person at a time, so others experience Your care through me. Amen.

Shepherding begins by receiving God’s care. We cannot give what we have not received. When we know the Lord as our Shepherd, we become more able to reflect His care to others.

7.Love Faithfully, One Person at a Time

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7.Love Faithfully, One Person at a Time

7.Love Faithfully, One Person at a Time

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