Thematic Bible: Feed the church

So, pay close attention to your [own] lives, and to all [members] of the flock [i.e., the congregation] of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers [i.e., elders, shepherds or pastors]. Provide [spiritual] food for the church of the Lord which He purchased by [shedding] His own blood. Verse ConceptsAtonementAttending ChurchCommitment, to God's peopleelders, in the churchBlood, of Jesus ChristChurch Authority, Of EldarsAtonement, Redemption ByBishops, DutiesAtonement, in NTBuying and sellingSolemn ChargesLeaders, SpiritualMarketsMinistry, In The ChurchOverseersGod Keeping WatchPurchasingRansomRedemption, In NtResponsibility, For God's WorldSecuritySelf DefenceShepherds, As Church LeaderSin, Avoidance OfValuesWatchfulness, Of LeadersPastorsChrist And His SheepNames And Titles For The ChurchChurch, Titles OfCorrecting A BrotherFeeding The FlockThe Church UniversalBloodThe churchTaking Care Of Your Body

Verse ConceptsGod, As ShepherdSpiritual FoodGuidance, From Godly PeopleHeart, DivineShepherds, As Kings And LeadersWisdom, Human ImportanceFeeding The FlockFeeding AnimalsAcquiring KnowledgeLeadersGivingServant LeadershipReflecting God's Heart

You should serve as shepherds of God's flock [i.e., the church], among whom you minister, providing careful oversight [of the people], not because you feel forced to, but because you want to, as this is in accordance with the way God wants it to be. Do not [serve as elders] simply out of a desire for the income you receive, but because your heart is in it. Verse ConceptsGod, As ShepherdCovetingChurch Authority, Of EldarsEnthusiasmeagernessdiligenceBishops, Dutiesdefence, humanGreed, Believers' Response ToGuardsHiringMinistry, In The ChurchMoney, Attitudes ToResponsibility, For God's WorldShepherds, As Church LeaderUnselfishnessWatchfulness, Of LeadersMaterialismMoneyPastorsMinisters, Should BeMinisters, Should Not BeNames And Titles For The ChurchChurch, Titles OfFeeding The FlockSacrilegeNo CompulsionPeople WillingGiving Money To The ChurchDutyServiceDishonestyExamples of LeadershipparentingGreedServing GodExerciseTaking Care Of Your BodyThe Elderlymindset

So, after they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you really love me more than these [other disciples do]?" Peter answered Him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." [Note: Since two different Greek words for "love" are used in this conversation, some scholars see a distinction in their meaning. See Butler, Vol. II, pp. 453-457 for a discussion of these views]. Jesus replied to him, "[Then] feed my lambs." Jesus asked him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you [really] love me?" Peter answered Him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus replied to him, "[Then] take care of my sheep." Then Jesus asked him a third time, "Simon, son of John, do you [truly] love me?" Peter was sad because Jesus had asked him a third time, "Do you [even] love me?" So, he said to Jesus, "Lord, you know all things. You [surely] know that I love you." Jesus replied to him, "[Then] feed my sheep.