Our son Ben describes his best friend Caleb as his “Battle Buddy.” I think it perfectly captures what we’re trying to accomplish, and what Jesus himself modeled for us when it comes to male friendships.
Men grow their relationships shoulder-to-shoulder, forward-facing, onward-marching toward a common goal or purpose.
Yes, we have fun along the way, but consider that even a great deal of our fun hangout time is spent in a fishing boat, on the golf course, or working together on a project. Many guys can recall with affinity a team they were part of even if it was decades ago. That team worked together for a common cause. Blood, sweat, and tears went into it, and it formed tight bonds.
It’s this idea that Pastor Joe Tanner, who you met last week in Lonely Does Not Equal Loser, emphasizes in helping others build and grow godly relationships through small groups. We’ve talked about small groups quite a bit. Whether they are church-based or formed up organically with your own “wise guys,” these guidelines based on 1 Peter 4 can serve as our marching orders for developing godly bonds with other men.
1 Peter 4:8-11
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
Connect with Purpose
1. Love
It begins with loving the Lord, knowing and loving Him better, then loving others. In order to impact and influence culture, we must start with love.
2. Connect
We then connect on the word of God, our standard and foundation for truth.
3. Build
Building on the foundation of the Word is the glue. “Intentionally loving God and working for his glory is the mantra that governs my life,” Joe says.
4. Impact
We do it all for the purpose of impacting. Men want to be influencers but may not know how. We must be unified in the first 3 principles in order to impact culture. Being unified as brothers is different and gets noticed.
“A band of brothers is not a meeting, a club, a therapy group, or a self-help society. It is the group of men you do life with. It is the team of brothers who are committed to great manhood with you. It is the band of men you build a manly culture with, a culture of inspiration and improvement.”
Building Your Band of Brothers by Stephen Mansfield
Men, this is why we hold events like The Noble Man Tailgate on August 28, 2020.
This is why we work diligently to support churches in opportunities for men to gather. It’s a great place find like-minded men committed to godly manhood. It is a place to strengthen your ties with other guys in a culture of godly inspiration and improvement. It’s a time set aside for learning the Word together and bringing it home to your families then out into your communities.
We need to be ready for battle, but don’t go it alone. “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24b) Join your brothers at our Tailgate this Friday night. Register HERE!