As a preschool teacher at a Christian school, one of my favorite passages comes from 1 Peter 5:2-3.

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, . . . not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be, . . . not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. (NIV)

When I first read these words, they really spoke to me. I serve a little flock of preschoolers, actually pre-preschoolers, two- and three-year-olds. I love what I do and feel called to teach them about Jesus as their personal Savior. What a job! Every day I get to play, sing songs, eat a snack, and love the children as Jesus would love them. 

Not too far into my ministry, I found that my “flock” was a little bigger that I had originally had thought. I found out quickly that dads, and especially moms, were also a part of the flock.

After only a few weeks of school, my staff and I found ourselves answering questions about potty training, discipline, and other parenting issues. We would encourage and listen to the parents, often staying later or making our selves available at drop off. Trust grew, and all of us on staff were soon fielding questions about our church, the type of services we offered, and Baptism. This has been the pattern for the past seven years. Today’s young families are still seeking out caring, trustworthy places to ask questions.

When I reread this passage, I see that God not only tells us to care for his “flock,” but also tells us how to do that—tenderly showing the way, “being examples.” Taking care of the young children in a Jesus-centered program is an amazing job, but caring for and encouraging young families has become our mission!