The Andy Griffith Show Devotional: The Clubmen

I'm sure we've all seen this episode of The Andy Griffith Show but for those who haven't, here's the breakdown:

• Andy goes fishing w/ a friend from the big city
• The friend invites Andy to visit the Esquire Club
• Andy brings Barney along to check the club out
• The Clubmen were impressed w/ Andy but not w/ Barney
• Andy declines membership but still maintains all the friendships

That's basically the gist of the episode, it's one of the funniest of the series yet teaches a very powerful lesson on cliques, acceptance & valuing friendships.

How many times have we seen this exact same scenario played out in the Church? I know I have & recently too. People invite people that they think would make a good fit in their club fellowship. Those people know people they want to bring but “those people” are often not clean up but messed up & many church members just can't handle that. They've worked hard to create an image, an atmosphere, a culture & anything that could potentially disrupt or threaten that image is discouraged. Some only socialize w/ people from their fellowship or faith.

Questions:

• Would you be willing to value a friendship over a fellowship?
• If a fellowship wanted you but not your friends, what would you do?
• If you're a part of a fellowship, would you honestly be willing to accept friends of friends even if they're not considered “a good fit”?
• Is acceptance by people important to you?
• Everyone has their circle of friends (some friends being closer than others) but has your circle become a clique = exclusive?

The great thing about Andy was that he valued his friendship w/ Barney above all else; that was the most important thing to him. 

Other takeaways from Andy:

• He was secure in who he was
• He was open to new relationships & friendships but not at the expense of his existing ones
• He accepted Barney for who he was
• He spared Barney's feelings as to the truth of who was really rejected

Jesus hung out w/ sinners... He said, "Come unto Me ALL (not some)..." but overall “The Clubmen” is a fantastic episode, one w/ major life lessons, especially for those of the household of faith...

What did you learn from it?