why the elders are intensely interested in each individual in the congregation. So all should pay careful attention to Hebrews 13:17: “Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will render an account; that they may do this with joy and not with sighing, for this would be damaging to you.” It is by their zeal in God’s service and their kindly shepherding that they are taking the lead. Their watching over your souls is not a probing into private affairs, but, rather, a watchfulness as to your spiritual welfare, in which they have a keen brotherly interest. It is indeed a joy to the shepherds when the flock responds to their loving oversight. Truly, we are encouraged to “imitate their faith.”​—Heb. 13:7.

31. What attitude should the congregation take, then, toward the elders?

³¹ These “gifts in men,” the elders as ‘evangelizers, shepherds and teachers’ in the congregation, are truly a timely provision from Jehovah through Christ Jesus. Recognizing them as such a provision, let us look to their zealous example, and not hesitate to go to them with our problems and questions. They are indeed the ones ‘given’ to aid us in love, that we may “grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ.”​—Eph. 4:7, 8, 11, 15.

Shepherds of the Flock Under One Lord

1. Who is the “fine shepherd,” and what is his relation to the “sheep”?

WHEN the Lord Jesus Christ was upon the earth, he identified himself as the “fine shepherd.” Those who listened to his voice and followed him were his “sheep.” He said he surrendered his soul in their behalf. (John 10:1-15) Thus the followers of Christ Jesus who make up the congregation were compared by Christ Jesus to sheep in a flock. At Luke 12:32 Jesus spoke of a “little flock” who would be given the Kingdom, and at John 10:16 Jesus mentioned “other sheep” who would also listen to his voice and who would become part of the one flock with Jesus Christ as their shepherd.

2. Why must undershepherds treat the flock as precious?

² Christian Bible writers later used similar expressions when addressing Christian overseers who were assigned to serve as shepherds under the Lord Jesus Christ. To the Ephesian overseers, Paul said: “Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own Son.” (Acts 20:28) Here Paul emphasized the need for these shepherds to recognize that the congregation belongs to God and that it was purchased with the blood of his own Son, which blood God regards as very precious. Hence, these shepherds must deal with the flock as something extremely precious in the sight of God and Christ, to whom the flock belongs.

3. (a) In the first century, what was expected of every member of the flock? (b) How was unity built up in the congregation?

³ By the time that Paul gave that counsel, the sheeplike members of the Christian congregation were not located in one place or one city, but were to be found in congregations located in many cities of the