1. Keep watch over yourselves (28a)

Shepherds and Bible teachers must first keep watch over themselves. We can do this by daily prayer and Bible study, and by coming to Jesus our Shepherd with repentance and faith, seeking forgiveness and help, and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

2. Be shepherds of God's flock (28b-31)

The church belongs to God, for he bought it with his own blood. He calls men to be shepherds of his flock, and equips them with the Holy Spirit. A shepherd must feed the flock; a shepherd must protect God's flock from Satan's attacks, which come through old-wineskin-like people--'savage wolves.' He must also protect God's sheep from ambitious people within the church, those who try to split the church and gather a following around themselves. We must be spiritually alert and on guard day and night, as Paul was. We must fight with the sword of the Spirit--the Bible--and with prayer.

Application: Lord, help me to walk close to you so that I can be an alert and good shepherd of your flock.
One Word: Take care of God's flock