Tim Tebow urges people to cast away doubt and join 'God's team': 'There's someone who's looking up to you'

Former NFL quarterback and current SEC analyst Tim Tebow recently spoke before 2,000 members of the Northside Christian Church in northeast Fresno, California, urging them to cast away their self doubt and join "God's team" and telling them that God has great plans for His followers.

Tebow used the passage John 6:5-14 to make his point, reported the Fresno Bee. The verses talk about a young boy who gave Jesus five small loaves of bread and two small fish in to feed a large crowd.

"You think God can't use you because you don't feel qualified to be used?" Tebow asked his audience. "Now you are just underestimating God. It didn't matter if he had one loaf and half a fish, God could have still done the same with it."

"You might think, 'I'm not a role model. There aren't these people that are looking up to me,'" he continued. "And my response to that is: There is probably someone who is looking up to you. There is someone that their life is going to be changed because of you. The question is, 'Is it going to be changed for the better or the worse?'"

Tebow shared that God used him to spread the Gospel even while he was still playing for the University of Florida. Back then, Tebow wore eye blacks that carry the inscriptions Philippians 4:13 or John 3:16.

After a certain game, Tebow's coach got a call from his school public relations team, saying that the Bible verse John 3:16 received a lot of interest (94 million people Googled the verse) because of Tebow's eye black.

Tebow was surprised that 94 million people did not know John 3:16, one of the most popular verses in the Bible, but he was glad that he was able to do his part to share God's Word.

"What a big God that we serve. I'm out playing a silly game, and I put these things under my eyes and it's amazing what God can do," he said.

related articles
Tim Tebow on doing Christian mission: \'You don\'t always know when God is working through you\'
Tim Tebow on doing Christian mission: 'You don't always know when God is working through you'

Tim Tebow on doing Christian mission: 'You don't always know when God is working through you'

Tim Tebow tells Florida churchgoers: With God as teammate, miracles happen
Tim Tebow tells Florida churchgoers: With God as teammate, miracles happen

Tim Tebow tells Florida churchgoers: With God as teammate, miracles happen

Tim Tebow still one of NFL\'s most popular quarterbacks despite being out of the game for years, survey shows
Tim Tebow still one of NFL's most popular quarterbacks despite being out of the game for years, survey shows

Tim Tebow still one of NFL's most popular quarterbacks despite being out of the game for years, survey shows

What does Tim Tebow consider \'bigger than football every single day of my life\'?
What does Tim Tebow consider 'bigger than football every single day of my life'?

What does Tim Tebow consider 'bigger than football every single day of my life'?

Tim Tebow says nothing beats the joy of making a difference in someone else\'s life, entering politics might be \'intriguing\'
Tim Tebow says nothing beats the joy of making a difference in someone else's life, entering politics might be 'intriguing'

Tim Tebow says nothing beats the joy of making a difference in someone else's life, entering politics might be 'intriguing'

News
Marriage is the safest relationship, latest figures suggest
Marriage is the safest relationship, latest figures suggest

Of the eight children murdered during lockdown, 7 were killed thanks to the actions of a step parent or new partner.

Abortion rises in Northern Ireland for fifth year running
Abortion rises in Northern Ireland for fifth year running

Abortion was legalised in Northern Ireland in 2019.

Churches helping millions of Brits get by as living costs remain high
Churches helping millions of Brits get by as living costs remain high

Across the country, people are looking to the church for help.

Isaiah 41:10 is YouVersion's Bible verse of the year
Isaiah 41:10 is YouVersion's Bible verse of the year

Isaiah 41:10 had the highest international engagement on YouVersion during 2025, while in the UK it was Jeremiah 29:11 that topped the list.