Be All You Can Be Lesson Three MAN UP BIBLE SERIES Be All You Can Be Lesson Three

The Real World A look at the modern home and you will see an interesting design change from the home of the 1940’s. You see a huge garage has replaced the large welcoming front porch. You will see small kitchen and dining rooms as folks do not have the parties they used to. Homes today reflect a change in our culture. We have grown more individualistic and isolated. We want to be much more private. In and out of our garages without having to see or speak to our neighbors. Our homes have the high fences and smaller yards which means we do not have to look at our neighbors. We are always looking for that elusive something… We lack roots, community and real friendships. This is especially true for men… We need real friends.. Guess what, you also have to be a real friend! That is what this lesson is all about; The Discipline of Friendship.

The Real Word 1 Samuel 18 New International Version (NIV) 18 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.

Real Talk Do you have a real friend? Where to do you find your friends? “My wife is my best friend.” Do you agree with this statement?

Real Steps From the Bible we see real Friendship: Christ had close friends on earth. (John 15: 13 -15) David had a close friend in Jonathan. (I Sam. 18:1) Friends are there for each other. (I Sam. 18:3,4) Real Friends are loyal. (I Sam. 20:31) Real Friends are an encouragement. (I Sam. 23:16) Real Friends do the Impossible. ( I Sam. 20: 14-17) Real Friends do the following: Pray for each other. Work at being a real friend. Lift each other up. Listen to each other. Accept each other unconditionally.

Time to Close This is a subject that men rarely look at. Needing and being a good friend are very closely intertwined. We go through this like not really being there for anyone else and thus saying to ourselves that we do not need anyone else. Both of these statements are false and of the Devil. He wants us to slog along in this life defeated when there are a bunch of guys just like us who need a Push Up! That is what our motto of MAN UP is all about. Each of us being there for the other. Inspiring us to greatness by lifting us up to Christ! So what are you going to do about this problem? How about taking a chance and reaching out to a guy at the Corps this week. Start an interest group at the Corps and invite some guys to it! It will be hard but so rewarding!