Temple Of The Lord

House Of Prayer

Lesson 2: Feeding the Flock …

5. Feed the whole counsel of God

Paul told the Ephesian elders, “I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). Paul told Timothy, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2).

A balanced diet includes:

  • Encouragement and correction
  • Grace and holiness
  • Blessing and suffering
  • Old Testament and New Testament
  • Comfort for the hurting and challenge for the comfortable

If you only preach the parts you like, your people will have spiritual vitamin deficiencies.

In summary:

  • Preach the full message of Scripture.
  • Correction is part of feeding, too.
  • Balance keeps the flock healthy.

6. Make sure the Word takes root

In the parable of the sower, the same seed fell on different soils, but only the good ground bore fruit (Matthew 13:3–23). A pastor’s job is not just to throw seed. It is to help prepare the soil and follow up so the Word grows.

Ways to help the Word take root:

  • Give people one clear point to remember from each message.
  • Offer small groups, Bible studies, or discussion questions.
  • Follow up on what was preached: “How did you apply last week’s word?”
  • Teach people to feed themselves through personal Bible reading and prayer.

A well-fed flock eventually learns to find good pasture on its own (John 10:9).

In summary:

  • Preaching is the start; follow-up helps the Word grow.
  • Teach people how to feed themselves.

Practical steps this week

  1. Ask God what your flock needs right now, before choosing your next message.
  2. Look at your last ten messages. Are they balanced, or always on the same themes?
  3. Plan a teaching series that moves people from milk toward solid food.
  4. Add one follow-up tool: discussion questions, a small group, or a short recap post.

Key takeaways

  • Feeding the sheep flows from loving Jesus.
  • Give milk and meat according to each person’s growth.
  • Pray first, study well, live it, then preach it.
  • The pulpit serves the people, not the pastor’s image.
  • Preach the whole counsel of God.
  • Help the Word take root through follow-up and teaching people to feed themselves.

Reflect

  1. Is my preaching flowing from prayer, or only from preparation?
  2. What spiritual food is my flock missing right now?
  3. How do I help people apply the Word after the service ends?

Prayer

Lord, I love You, and I say yes to feeding Your sheep. Give me Your word for Your people. Let me pray before I preach and live what I teach. Help me give milk to the young and solid food to the mature, and let Your Word take deep root in every heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Jen Ford

Pages: 1 2