Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd” (John 10). Within this text, we find ideas expressed that relate to the responsibility of shepherding the church today.

One of the fundamental elements is knowing the sheep. Notice how Jesus claimed, “I know My own and My own know Me” (Jn. 10:14).

Earlier in this text, Jesus said the sheep hear the voice of the shepherd and they follow because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger. Instead, they flee from him because they do not know the “voice of strangers” (vv. 3-5).

Sheep need to hear the voice of their shepherds, and this foundational element of shepherding involves knowing the sheep.