Growing Flocks Need More Shepherds: Preparing to Add New Elders at Sunset

Sermon Guide for March 15, 2026

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How to Use This Guide:

These guides are designed to help you engage more deeply with my weekly sermon. Use this guide to prepare your heart to receive God's Word before worship, or to reflect on God's Word the week following worship.

Parents, use the information in this guide (especially in the "Family Practice" section) to have meaningful conversations with your kids that nurture their faith and help them grow in God’s love.

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Big Idea

As God blesses a church with new growth, the need for spiritual care grows as well. Scripture shows that God’s people are best served when qualified, godly leaders share the responsibility of shepherding the flock.

Scriptures

• Exodus 18:13-26

• Titus 1:5-9

Sermon Outline

1. Growth Creates New Leadership Needs

Healthy growth is a blessing, but it also brings new challenges. As more people come into a church, more souls require spiritual care, guidance, and shepherding.

2. God’s Solution: Shared Spiritual Leadership

In Exodus 18:21, Moses is instructed to appoint capable leaders from among the people to help carry the burden of leadership.

Three key principles emerge:

Leadership arises from among the people

• Leaders are recognized from within the community.

Leaders must possess competence, godliness, and integrity

• Able, God-fearing, trustworthy, and people of character.

Leadership is meant to be shared (plurality of elders)

• Shared leadership strengthens both leaders and the people.

3. The Same Pattern is Found in the New Testament

The early church followed the same principle by appointing elders within each congregation who were known for their character and spiritual maturity (Titus 1:5-9). Shared shepherding ensures the church is well cared for.

4. What This Means for Sunset

As our church grows, appointing additional shepherds will help ensure that every member receives the spiritual care they need.

We are not looking for perfect men, but for faithful men whose lives consistently reflect the character Scripture describes.

Personal Reflection

1. Who are the spiritual leaders who have helped guide your faith? How did they influence your life?

2. What qualities from Titus 1:5-9 stand out to you?

3. How can you support and encourage the shepherds who currently serve the church?

4. Are there ways God may be calling you to grow into greater spiritual influence or leadership?

Family Practice Guide

Talk Together

Discuss with your family:

• What does a shepherd do for sheep?

• Why does the church need shepherds to care for people?

• What qualities make someone a good spiritual leader?

Pray Together

Pray for:

• wisdom for current elders

• guidance as new shepherds are identified

• a church that honors and supports its spiritual leaders

Practice Together

This week, choose one way to support the shepherds of the church:

• Write a note encouraging one of the elders

• Pray daily for church leadership

Remember

Jesus is the Chief Shepherd who cares perfectly for his people (1 Peter 5:4). All spiritual leaders should ultimately follow his example of sacrificial love and care.