If you’re in a leadership role—maybe as a youth leader, a Bible study group head, or even someone others look up to spiritually, then God has trusted you with something incredibly important. You’re responsible for helping others grow in their walk with Him. The Bible says: “…Be compassionate shepherds who tenderly care for God’s flock and who feed them well, for you have the responsibility to guide, protect, and oversee. Consider it a joyous pleasure and not merely a religious duty. Lead from the heart under God’s leadership—not as a way to gain finances dishonestly but as a way to eagerly and cheerfully serve. Don’t be controlling tyrants but lead others by your beautiful examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:2-3 TPT).
It doesn’t matter if you’re leading two people or twenty—the responsibility is the same. Don’t let anyone in your care drift away from the faith. Intercede for them. Pray about what they’re going through. Here’s one practical way to do this: keep a prayer journal with their names, calling each one as you contend for their souls in prayer. You’re the priest over them; you’ve been given the office to minister and pray, and God will hear you.
As their leader, you’re responsible for their spiritual growth. Help them, teach them, and guide them in the things of God. As you do these and share the love of God with them, you’ll see them grow. This will become your joy because every time you witness the Word of God producing results in their lives, it excites you. And at the end, that’s what you’ll present to God—souls you’ve impacted and helped to transform. Hallelujah!
Prayer
Dear Father, thank you for making me an overseer of your flock. I have the grace to care for each soul under my charge, interceding for them with passion and fervency. I declare that they are strengthened, built up in the Word, growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Their desire for the things of the Spirit is aglow and sustained, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
