ST NICOLAS, NEWBURY

HOME GROUP QUESTIONS

PICTURES OF THE CHURCH 7: GOD'S FLOCK

For home groups that would like them, here are some questions on the seventh of our series on Pictures of the Church. There's no need to answer them all - just tackle the ones you have time for. You don't need to stick to the areas mentioned here - feel free to discuss any other issues that arise for you.

1. What is your first reaction to the idea that the church is like a flock of sheep?

2. What characteristics of sheep are highlighted in Isaiah 53:6 and Matthew 9:36? Do you think this is an accurate portrayal of the human condition? Why?

3. Have a look at Psalm 95:7. What does this tell us about God and what he does for us? How exactly does he do it?

4. There are two strands to the Bible's teaching about how God looks after us: first, the care he takes of us personally and secondly, the care he provides via human leaders. Have a look at John 10:11-15 and John 21:15-17. In caring for his flock, what exactly does God himself do? And what exactly do human leaders do?

5. There's more about this in 1 Peter 5:2-4. What light does this shed on how God's flock is to be cared for?

6. Turn now to Acts 20:25-35. What does verse 28 tell us about what God's attitude to his flock?

7. Looking at the passage as a whole, what does taking care of God's flock involve? What do 'savage wolves' do? How is the flock to be protected from them?

8. How is this aspect of pastoral care reflected in the life of the church today?

9. Pray for St Nicolas in the light of what you have discovered in the study. Pray especially for the church's leaders.

David Stone
16 July 2008