Acts 20:28 

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has
made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own
blood.

2 Corinthians 1:4   

Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are
in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Romans 12:4-21   

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same
function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one
of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:
if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches,
in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in
generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with
cheerfulness.

John 21:15-17   

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do
you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love
you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of
John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He
said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do
you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love
me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

1 Peter 5:2 

Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under
compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;

James 5:14-20   

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray
over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will
save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed
sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one
another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as
it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it
might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he
prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. ...

Ezekiel 34:2-10   

“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them,
even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have
been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you
clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the
sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured
you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not
sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. So they were scattered,
because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. My
sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill.
My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for
them. ...

2 Timothy 2:15 

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to
be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

John 13:34-35 

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved
you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my
disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Titus 1:5 

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and
appoint elders in every town as I directed you

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 

For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and
encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you
into his own kingdom and glory.
Ephesians 4:11-16 

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to
equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we
all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature
manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no
longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of
doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the
truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Titus 1:9   

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give
instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Matthew 25:35-40   

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a
stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you
visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him,
saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you
drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe
you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ ...

1 Timothy 3:15   

If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is
the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

2 Timothy 3:16   

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, and for training in righteousness,

1 Corinthians 12:28   

And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers,
then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of
tongues.
Galatians 6:1-5   

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore
him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear
one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is
something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own
work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.
For each will have to bear his own load.

Psalm 23:1-6   

A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down
in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in
paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff,
they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you
anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

James 1:1-27   

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the
Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various
kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let
steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in
nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all
without reproach, and it will be given him. ...

Ephesians 5:1-33   

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved
us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual
immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is
proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking,
which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of
this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an
idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ...

2 Corinthians 1:3   
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and
God of all comfort,

Romans 1:1-32 

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning
his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be
the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from
the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and
apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all
the nations, ...

1 Peter 5:2-3   

Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under
compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;
not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

1 Peter 4:10   

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's
varied grace:

1 Timothy 2:1-15   

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be
made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a
peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is
pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to
come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator
between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ...

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13   

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the
Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their
work. Be at peace among yourselves.

2 Thessalonians 3:9   

It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example
to imitate.
Colossians 1:1-29   

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the
saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God
our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray
for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for
all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard
before in the word of the truth, the gospel, ...

1 Corinthians 4:15   

For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I
became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Psalm 121:8   

The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and
forevermore.

Titus 1:7   

For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant
or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,

2 Timothy 3:16-17   

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent,
equipped for every good work.

Luke 6:35 

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your
reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the
ungrateful and the evil.

Amos 1:1-15   
The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa, which he saw
concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the
son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. And he said:
“The LORD roars from Zion and utters his voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the
shepherds mourn, and the top of Carmel withers.” Thus says the LORD: “For three
transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because
they have threshed Gilead with threshing sledges of iron. So I will send a fire upon the
house of Hazael, and it shall devour the strongholds of Ben-hadad. I will break the
gate-bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitants from the Valley of Aven, and him
who holds the scepter from Beth-eden; and the people of Syria shall go into exile to
Kir,” says the LORD. ...

1 Peter 5:1-4   

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of
Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the
flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but
willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not
domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the
chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Hebrews 13:17   

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as
those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with
groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

1 Corinthians 9:14   

In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get
their living by the gospel.

1 Corinthians 7:1-9   

Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have
sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality,
each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband
should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For
the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise
the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not
deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may
devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not
tempt you because of your lack of self-control. ...

Luke 10:1-12   

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two
by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to
them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to
the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I
am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no moneybag, no
knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first
say, ‘Peace be to this house!’

Job 6:14   

“He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

2 Chronicles 7:14   

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my
face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive
their sin and heal their land.

Hebrews 13:7 

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the
outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

1 Thessalonians 2:7   

But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.

Psalm 37:1-40   

Of David. Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For
they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the  LORD,
and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in
the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to
the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.

Deuteronomy 6:1-25   
“Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the rules that the LORD your God
commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going
over, to possess it, that you may fear the LORD your God, you and your son and your
son's son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you,
all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. Hear therefore, O Israel, and
be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly,
as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk
and honey. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love
the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
might. ...

Revelation 1:1   

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things
that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

2 Timothy 3:7   

Always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 5:17   

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those
who labor in preaching and teaching.

1 Timothy 5:17-18   

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those
who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an
ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”

Philippians 4:18 

I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from
Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing
to God.

Ephesians 4:17-32   

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles
do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated
from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of
heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy
to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!—
assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in
Jesus.

Ephesians 4:11   

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

Galatians 6:9   

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not
give up.

1 Corinthians 7:25-40   

Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my
judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. I think that in view of the
present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do
not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you do
marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet
those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. This is what I
mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who
have wives live as though they had none,