Dogs and Sheep
We have two dogs. These two mixed-breed mutts are lovable but they can cause a lot of problems. For one thing they like to escape and play with the neighbor’s dogs and kids, so we have to keep them penned up when we’re not out in the backyard.
But those dogs don’t like that pen. They’d rather run free. When we first started training them it was a hassle to drive them into the pen. Often we’d get one in the pen and then try to get the other in. When we opened the gate, the first one would run out as we put number two in.
Then Lynn discovered a secret which she shared with me. The secret: it’s easier to lead those dogs than to drive them.
With two doggie treats we walk outside. The dogs can smell the food and get excited. We walk ahead of them and say “night-night.” They usually beat us to the pen. People are like sheep! The Bible tells us this (Ps. 100:3). You cannot drive sheep. You have to lead them.
Likewise, you cannot drive non-Christians into becoming Christians—you must lead them. You cannot drive Christians into obedience—you must lead them! (1 Pet. 5:1–5). In our dealings with family and friends (both inside and outside the church), let’s learn this valuable lesson. Leading means doing our best and providing an example to follow. Leading is teaching with both our words and our actions.
—Larry Fitzgerald
But those dogs don’t like that pen. They’d rather run free. When we first started training them it was a hassle to drive them into the pen. Often we’d get one in the pen and then try to get the other in. When we opened the gate, the first one would run out as we put number two in.
Then Lynn discovered a secret which she shared with me. The secret: it’s easier to lead those dogs than to drive them.
With two doggie treats we walk outside. The dogs can smell the food and get excited. We walk ahead of them and say “night-night.” They usually beat us to the pen. People are like sheep! The Bible tells us this (Ps. 100:3). You cannot drive sheep. You have to lead them.
Likewise, you cannot drive non-Christians into becoming Christians—you must lead them. You cannot drive Christians into obedience—you must lead them! (1 Pet. 5:1–5). In our dealings with family and friends (both inside and outside the church), let’s learn this valuable lesson. Leading means doing our best and providing an example to follow. Leading is teaching with both our words and our actions.
—Larry Fitzgerald