As we continue our sessions on Shaken by Tim Tebow, this week we really talk about what what these sessions and community is all about. It moves into the challenges many of us men have that that is gaining and retaining meaningful relationships.  I was talking with a leading in the church the other day and we connected with a common struggle, how some people in our lives jump right in, fully involved, then after a while they seem to fade away. Then out of know where, they pop up again, many times acting as in nothing ever happened.

Can you relate to times in your life when guys have kind of drifted in and out of your circle?

If you have caught yourself being that person that drifted in and out of relationships, are there any insights or thoughts behind the actions?

This weeks video is Session 3 from Shaken…

Tim explained the situation where the boys at a mission revival left before the message was even shared. That there was this condemnation from the staff that they were embarrassing and not worthy of the event.

Have you even been in a situation where you did not feel qualified or worthy of being included in some event? How did you react/respond?

Condemnation comes from  a source that makes a judgement call about someone or something. Typically in the fashion of judgement as unfit for use, wrong, or reprehensible.

Have you even been unnecessarily condemned, when you were actually very qualified and acceptable for a situation? How did you respond? If not well, what would you do differently next time?

During the video, Tim explained how the two boys stayed with their disabled friend, rather than taking him to his hut and running back to the revival. How those two boys were truly thicker than water and they would sit away with their friend than leave him and come back later. Some guys have had times in their life where they have had friends like that; some have been that boy or man, but more often than not we all probably have a list where it didn’t work out that way.

Have you been blessed with certain friends in your life? Do you still engage with them? Or do you give them thanks for the blessings already received? (Many will terminate the praises of what has been received when the blessings stop).

Tim also reminded us in the video that we are all unique (and wonderfully made), but so much of our energy and emotions is involved with a desire to fit-in, to not stand out, to not be different, but just be one in the crowd. The sobering reality is that we were never intended to be alike, but our desire for acceptance and approval tends to diminish that reality

Have you had times when acceptance, approval were overwhelming? Or put another way, did you have a time when you were negatively impacted by rejection or ridicule of others?

Some scriptures to dwell on regarding this topic…

As iron sharpens iron, So one person sharpens another. – Proverbs 27:17 NASB

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:24-25

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. – Hebrews 13:1-3

Any of those verses resonate with healthy fellowship? Do you have some others to share?