The Good Shepherd: Forty Biblical Insights on Leading and Being Led

by Timothy S. Laniak

Shepherding is the single most important image of leadership in the Bible. From actual shepherds such as Moses and David to the apostles calling early church elders to pastor their flocks, biblical leadership is embodied in the humble, vigilant, everyday work of shepherds.
 
To better understand this metaphor, Tim Laniak spent months among Bedouin shepherds in the Middle East. Combining this rich cultural experience with careful biblical study, Laniak offers 40 short readings that explore every leader's responsibility to provide, protect, and guide. Each reading begins with observations from Laniak's travels, continues with investigations into Bible stories about shepherding, and concludes with what this means for you in your own spheres of influence, whether in the home, church, or neighborhood.
 
As a follower of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, you too are called to be a good shepherd of the sheep in your care.
 

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 2, 2024

Reviews

[Ben Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laniak reinvigorates a vital Biblical image, using examples from current Bedouin life to rescue shepherds from the flannelgraph. He also, however, operates primarily in exhortational mode; Jesus appears as our Good Shepherd mostly as an example. It is as though, for Laniak, the kerygma of the Gospel goes without saying - it is the necessary background for the Christian life. I would argue that, by nature, the kerygma must be proclaimed in all seasons and contexts.

[T Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful tales of shepherding from shepherds. Laniak observes well; He offers valuable insights and applications from this shepherding world for Christ-like servant leadership in any culture.

[Glorimar Camareno · Rating 5 out of 5]

In many instances, I felt as if I was right there, in the Middle East, with Laniak and his family learning about shepherding. The shepherding model to teach leadership is very helpful and valuable. It gives the reader a perspective that might seem familiar but as you deepen into the study and images you realize you knew nothing about shepherding!

[Su Thor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent work - I have really enjoyed this. It has given me much to think about and to consider. It is well worth reading. Thank you for putting this together and for the opportunity to read it and review it.

[Juliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delightful short book of 40 short reflections on leading and being led. It wasn't quite what I expected. If you are looking for a morning devotional, I think that this is a great option.

[Holly Huckabee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Jonah Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got distracted by its metaphors. There was some wisdom to bring out of it, but I felt captivated more by the stories of the shepherds than the lessons themselves.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had nice insights into shepherding. However, I was a bit put off by the “authors translation” version of Bible passages throughout. I was hopeful that this would be a great Lent devotional, but I struggled to truly sense that it met the mark.