Daily Worship (April 06)
Devotional 1: The Chief Shepherd and His Under-Shepherds
1 Peter 5:1–4 (NIV)
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Devotional Thought:
In this passage, the apostle Peter is writing to elders, those appointed to lead and care for the church. He reminds them that they are not the ultimate leaders—Jesus is the Chief Shepherd. Elders are called to serve under Him, reflecting His heart by leading with humility, care, and integrity. They must watch over the church, not to gain power, but to lovingly protect and guide God’s people.
This connects beautifully with what we saw in Acts 15. The apostles and elders in Jerusalem didn’t seek control—they sought unity in the gospel, care for the Gentile believers, and clarity through Scripture. They showed us what real shepherd leadership looks like.
Today, this reminds us that leadership in the church is not about being in charge—it’s about serving well, knowing the people, and feeding them with truth. Jesus cares deeply for His church, and He uses elders to express that care. When elders lead like Christ, the church grows in grace and truth.
Whether you’re an elder or not, this passage shows us the kind of leadership we should all follow and honor. Let’s be thankful for faithful leaders, and even more, let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, our Chief Shepherd.
COMMA Questions:
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for being our Chief Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep. Thank You for giving the church faithful elders who care for us, teach us, and walk with us. Help our leaders to serve willingly and humbly, always pointing us back to You. And help us all to follow You more closely each day. Amen.
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Devotional Thought:
In this passage, the apostle Peter is writing to elders, those appointed to lead and care for the church. He reminds them that they are not the ultimate leaders—Jesus is the Chief Shepherd. Elders are called to serve under Him, reflecting His heart by leading with humility, care, and integrity. They must watch over the church, not to gain power, but to lovingly protect and guide God’s people.
This connects beautifully with what we saw in Acts 15. The apostles and elders in Jerusalem didn’t seek control—they sought unity in the gospel, care for the Gentile believers, and clarity through Scripture. They showed us what real shepherd leadership looks like.
Today, this reminds us that leadership in the church is not about being in charge—it’s about serving well, knowing the people, and feeding them with truth. Jesus cares deeply for His church, and He uses elders to express that care. When elders lead like Christ, the church grows in grace and truth.
Whether you’re an elder or not, this passage shows us the kind of leadership we should all follow and honor. Let’s be thankful for faithful leaders, and even more, let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, our Chief Shepherd.
COMMA Questions:
- Context: How does Peter’s own experience with Jesus (as a disciple and witness of suffering) shape what he says to elders?
- Observation: What qualities does Peter say elders should have as they shepherd the flock?
- Meaning: What does it mean that elders should “be examples to the flock”?
- Main Idea: How does Peter describe faithful church leadership, and why does it matter?
- Application: How can you encourage or pray for the leaders in your church this week?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for being our Chief Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep. Thank You for giving the church faithful elders who care for us, teach us, and walk with us. Help our leaders to serve willingly and humbly, always pointing us back to You. And help us all to follow You more closely each day. Amen.
Devotional 2: Shepherds Who Feed the Flock
Titus 1:9 (NIV)
He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Devotional Thought
Paul is writing to Titus about how to choose godly elders for the church. One key qualification is that elders must hold firmly to the truth of the gospel. Why? So they can do two things: encourage the church with sound teaching and correct those who teach falsely.
This fits perfectly with what we saw in Acts 15. Some people were teaching that Gentiles had to follow the law of Moses to be saved. The elders knew this was wrong and stepped in to protect the church and clarify the truth. They didn’t make up new teaching—they stuck to what was already taught: salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus.
Feeding the flock means more than giving people comfort—it means giving them the truth, even when it’s hard. It means elders must study Scripture, understand doctrine, and be willing to stand up for the gospel when it’s challenged.
As believers, we also need to love the truth, listen well, and not fall for teaching that sounds nice but isn’t biblical. God’s Word is life-giving, and faithful shepherds help us hold onto it. Praise God for leaders who feed the church with grace and truth!
COMMA Questions:
Prayer:
God, thank You for giving us Your Word, which shows us the way to life in Jesus. Help our elders to know Your Word well, to teach it clearly, and to guard the church from error. Give us hearts that love the truth and ears that are ready to listen. Amen.
He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Devotional Thought
Paul is writing to Titus about how to choose godly elders for the church. One key qualification is that elders must hold firmly to the truth of the gospel. Why? So they can do two things: encourage the church with sound teaching and correct those who teach falsely.
This fits perfectly with what we saw in Acts 15. Some people were teaching that Gentiles had to follow the law of Moses to be saved. The elders knew this was wrong and stepped in to protect the church and clarify the truth. They didn’t make up new teaching—they stuck to what was already taught: salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus.
Feeding the flock means more than giving people comfort—it means giving them the truth, even when it’s hard. It means elders must study Scripture, understand doctrine, and be willing to stand up for the gospel when it’s challenged.
As believers, we also need to love the truth, listen well, and not fall for teaching that sounds nice but isn’t biblical. God’s Word is life-giving, and faithful shepherds help us hold onto it. Praise God for leaders who feed the church with grace and truth!
COMMA Questions:
- Context: What is Paul’s overall goal in writing this letter to Titus about leadership?
- Observation: What two responsibilities does this verse give to elders regarding doctrine?
- Meaning: What does “hold firmly to the trustworthy message” mean for today’s leaders?
- Main Idea: Why must elders be grounded in sound doctrine?
- Application: How can you grow in knowing and loving biblical truth?
Prayer:
God, thank You for giving us Your Word, which shows us the way to life in Jesus. Help our elders to know Your Word well, to teach it clearly, and to guard the church from error. Give us hearts that love the truth and ears that are ready to listen. Amen.
Devotional 3: Protecting the Flock
Acts 20:28–30 (NIV)
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.
Devotional Thought
These are Paul’s final words to the elders in Ephesus. He’s leaving them, and he knows danger is coming. False teachers will sneak in and try to lead people away from Jesus. Paul doesn’t just warn them—he charges them to protect the flock. Why? Because the church belongs to God. He bought it with the blood of His Son.
This shows how serious elder leadership is. The church isn’t a social club. It’s the blood-bought bride of Christ, and elders are called to watch over it with care, truth, and courage.
In Acts 15, we saw this lived out. When a dangerous teaching entered the church, the elders didn’t ignore it. They met, prayed, searched Scripture, and made a clear, loving decision to protect the church. That’s what faithful shepherds do.
False teaching doesn’t always look scary—it often sounds “spiritual” or loving. But anything that adds to the gospel or takes away from Jesus is a threat to our faith. Thank God for elders who are watchful and bold. And may we all love the gospel enough to defend it—because Jesus is worth it.
COMMA Questions
Prayer
Father, thank You that Jesus gave His life for the church. Help our elders to watch over us with wisdom and courage. Protect us from false teaching, from division, and from anything that would pull us away from the gospel. Keep us rooted in Your truth and full of Your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.
Devotional Thought
These are Paul’s final words to the elders in Ephesus. He’s leaving them, and he knows danger is coming. False teachers will sneak in and try to lead people away from Jesus. Paul doesn’t just warn them—he charges them to protect the flock. Why? Because the church belongs to God. He bought it with the blood of His Son.
This shows how serious elder leadership is. The church isn’t a social club. It’s the blood-bought bride of Christ, and elders are called to watch over it with care, truth, and courage.
In Acts 15, we saw this lived out. When a dangerous teaching entered the church, the elders didn’t ignore it. They met, prayed, searched Scripture, and made a clear, loving decision to protect the church. That’s what faithful shepherds do.
False teaching doesn’t always look scary—it often sounds “spiritual” or loving. But anything that adds to the gospel or takes away from Jesus is a threat to our faith. Thank God for elders who are watchful and bold. And may we all love the gospel enough to defend it—because Jesus is worth it.
COMMA Questions
- Context: What’s happening in Paul’s life as he gives this speech to the Ephesian elders?
- Observation: What does Paul warn the elders about in these verses?
- Meaning: What does it mean that the church was “bought with His own blood”?
- Main Idea: What is Paul’s main message to elders in this passage?
- Application: How can you pray for and support your elders as they protect the church?
Prayer
Father, thank You that Jesus gave His life for the church. Help our elders to watch over us with wisdom and courage. Protect us from false teaching, from division, and from anything that would pull us away from the gospel. Keep us rooted in Your truth and full of Your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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