34 pages • 1 hour read
Tim TebowShaken
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2016A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Summary
Background
Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Key Figures
Themes
Index of Terms
Important Quotes
Essay Topics
Tools
BetaChapters 4-6Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 4 Summary: “The Voices of Negativity”
Tebow describes the intense criticism he received in the media from sports commentators while playing for the Jets as a backup quarterback, writing, “The stream of negativity was endless” (69). In addition to critical headlines, Tebow felt betrayed by a teammate who had anonymously insulted him in the press. He admits that the criticism stung, but he tried to detach from others’ expectations and remember that God “loves us unconditionally” (70). Tebow felt isolated and withdrawn as he tried to avoid media attention, leaving him lonely. He distinguishes between constructive criticism, which is polite and contains helpful advice, and negative criticism. Tebow encourages the reader to dismiss negative comments from “naysayers” who don’t have “your best interests at heart” (73).
He points to the story of a football player named Jacob who had to have his leg amputated after a devastating sports injury. Despite doctors and teachers telling him he would never play football again, Jacob persevered and learned to walk with a prosthetic, soon earning a spot on a college team.
Tebow argues that it is easy to be critical of others and judge their actions. He urges the reader to not be deterred by negative criticism and to resist saying hurtful things about others. He reflects on how people can be overly critical about themselves, especially when comparing themselves to others. He coaches the reader to take small, concrete steps to change themselves instead of simply thinking negative thoughts. He insists that personal change is possible with hard work, and that in doing so, one’s “inner critic” will be silenced (82).
Chapter 5 Summary: “God’s Got It”
Tebow recalls his hope and anticipation after joining the Philadelphia Eagles football team as a quarterback in 2015. Having been off work for over a year, he hoped that he would earn his spot on the permanent team. Tebow felt a sense of peace that no matter what the coaches decided, he would be okay and follow God’s plan. After many encouraging words from coaches, he felt certain that he had made the team. When he learned that he had been cut, Tebow was surprised and saddened, but “made the choice—and kept making it—to trust God” (90).
Tebow refers to the biblical story about Job to show how people can retain a strong faith amid terrible tragedies and challenges. Even though Job lost so much, he continued to believe in God. Eventually, Job was rewarded for his faith and prospered again. Tebow encourages the reader to persevere through their personal and professional challenges and continue to trust in God’s plan.
The author then describes Garrett Leopold, who needed a third heart transplant at the age of 16. He needed this transplant after having survived cancer. Tebow met Leopold in the locker room after a college football game. Leopold soon received a heart transplant when Amanda, another teen, died in a car accident. While Amanda’s parents were devastated, they also felt that God had created “‘something miraculous from the tragedy’” when Leopold successfully received the heart (97). Tebow uses this example to discuss how people can let go of “heartache” by accepting that God has a plan for their life (98). He argues that “bitterness and trust cannot co-exist” and encourages the reader to turn negative experiences into acts of good instead of being bitter about them (99).
Chapter 6 Summary: “The Others”
Tebow recalls going on a missionary trip to the Philippines with his father at the age of 15. He was impressed by the beauty of the country and the warm welcome from the locals, and he was enthusiastic to preach the gospel to people there. When he and his group arrived in a small, rural village, they were soon surrounded by local people. However, Tebow noticed several boys quietly leave the group. Intrigued, he followed them and learned that they were keeping their friend Sherwin, who had a disability, company. Their principal had told Sherwin to stay inside because he wanted the Americans to only meet “impressive” people (111). Tebow was saddened that Sherwin was excluded and was moved when he and his friends converted. The author realized that, along with his dream of being a quarterback, he also wanted to help people who were “in their darkest hour of need” (111).
Tebow reflects on the importance of having supportive and compassionate friends, like Sherwin did. When he was enduring difficult times, Tebow found comfort in his close friends, who also encouraged him in his faith. The author argues that many people tend to shut others out when they are feeling stressed, and pridefully try to solve their problems on their own. He asserts that everyone should be willing to ask for help and enjoy the support of their community when they need it. The author believes that “true friendship” is marked by “being vulnerable and sharing” (117). Another solution to solving problems is to put them into perspective by helping others. Tebow argues that this benefits others and reduces one’s stress levels. The author is grateful for his close friends in his “circle of trust” whom he can rely on to give wise advice, emotional support, and encouragement in his faith (121).
Chapters 4-6 Analysis
In these passages, Tebow continues to ground his arguments in biblical scriptures and uses biblical stories to illustrate his points. For instance, Tebow recounts the story of Job, a devout follower of God, to show the value of trusting God and maintaining one’s faith and positivity in the face of hardships. This parable connects to Tebow’s theme of The Role of Faith in Stability, as he shows that Job’s continued trust in God helped him to stay balanced and focused on his life, despite losing his land, children, and health. Tebow explains, “Job is heartbroken, in pain, and barely hanging on emotionally. […] But Job doesn’t turn his back on God” (93). Even though Job wrestles with doubt and anger toward God, he continues to put his “trust” and “hope” in God, and ultimately, God “restores to Job even more than what he had before” (93). By recounting this parable, Tebow provides the reader with an aspirational, but still relatable, role model for their relationship with God.
The author also develops his theme of The Intersection of Identity and Purpose in this section. The author’s recollections of his early missionary trip to the Philippines explain how he felt inspired to make helping others a primary goal of his life. Tebow remembers feeling moved by a local boy, Sherwin, who suffered from a disability that rendered him immobile. Tebow remembers, “I realized after meeting Sherwin that while I wanted to be the best quarterback in the world, I also wanted to impact lives. I wanted to bring faith, hope, and love to those needing a brighter day. […] I wanted to fight for those who couldn’t fight for themselves” (111). This impulse has remained a large part of Tebow’s life purpose and motivated him to create his foundation.
The author further bolsters this theme as he encourages the reader to perform acts of kindness, both for others’ benefit and their own. Tebow argues for The Importance of Helping Others as a healthy and empowering way of putting one’s stresses into perspective. He explains, “Sometimes we just need, even for a minute, to stop. Step outside of ourselves. […] It’s amazing what happens when we help someone when we’re feeling helpless” (119). To support his argument, Tebow cites a study that showed that when people performed small acts of kindness for others, they felt less stressed themselves. He quotes Ralph Waldo Emerson, who maintained that being “useful” and “compassionate” was the purpose of living, not being “happy” (119). The author’s passionate support of this philosophy persuades the reader to look outward and help others with their problems to create purpose and identity for themselves.
By emphasizing the importance of friendship and community, Tebow additionally suggests that faith is not meant to be pursued alone, but in community with others. He writes, “God is a relational God. He designed us to be in community. […] We need friends we can count on” (113). The author’s anecdote about Sherwin, the local boy he met in the Philippines, helps him offer an ideal vision of friendship, as he underscores the loyalty and support Sherwin’s friends offered to him. By reflecting on how his friends have supported him, Tebow highlights the connection between faith and friendship. In reaching out to his own friends in difficult times, Tebow realized that his friends helped him cope with challenges and develop his faith. He explains, “Sometimes you need someone to remind you to dig deep with God, to keep up the faith, to stay in the fight” (121). These observations encourage the reader to consider their role in their friendships, and how they support their friends in their life and their faith.
