Father On Purpose Podcast

The last episode in the Nehemiah series calls on us dads to let our kids know when they're just not doing it right. When we rebuke our children, it's crucial to be wise in how we go about it. One idea is to keep the conversation private, mainly because kids can quickly become embarrassed when their actions are challenged in a public setting. The real power of rebuking comes when done in a private,...

Two leading factors in whether or not our kids will pursue a spiritual connection with God as adults include the kind of music they listen to and if they participate in Bible study. We dads can't control everything our kids become exposed to, good or bad. And these life patterns and experiences can significantly impact their spiritual relationship with the Lord in adulthood. So that begs the quest...

An essential part of our mission as dads is to anchor our families in the Word of God. Whether it's a routine devotional or chat at the dinner table, every moment in God's Word matters. Even weaving Biblical perspective into age-appropriate current events - sports, news, politics, entertainment, etc. can work wonders. Take something from the cultural moment, and tie it back to Scripture. "Fathers,...

Jesus said, "in this world you will have trouble" (John 16:33). So, let's make a list of potential trouble our kids may get into - it's not an infinite list - dating, porn, money, drugs, school fights, bad grades, disrespectful behavior, they may become Kentucky basketball fans, etc. Having our awareness level on high alert makes it much easier to anticipate trouble when it appears over the horizo...

What does it mean to "not live in constant fear?" How do we manage fear and ignorance when parenting our kids? There's often a balancing act between letting our kids experience the world for themselves and being overprotective. Remember that God puts up guardrails (danger), but He also puts up the promise. If we're going to protect our loved ones from danger, we must make them aware of what threat...

Dad, would you become closer to your kids if you asked better questions? Amid the constant challenges dads face (financial, relational, time management), it can be difficult to discern the TRUE needs around us. As we observe new challenges in our family, the ability to ask good questions can bring about great solutions. One where the situation is grounded in clarity and the problem is resolved. Wa...

What makes you uncomfortable? For the vast majority of us dads, we face daily challenges that we must have the courage to overcome. We are asked on a daily basis to step into a spiritual battle with our children or to engage in conversations with our families about complex topics. And, of course, we're asked to be honest and loving fathers, both of which require a big deal of courage in the face o...

Glory can be one of our biggest downfalls when we direct it away from God. It often brings out the opposite of an "attitude of gratitude." We can't let our successes (financial, career, life accomplishments) convince us that we did it all on our own. Resisting the temptation to lay claim to personal triumphs helps bring glory to God's grace, not ourselves. "But remember the Lord your God, for it i...

As we prepare our kids for the road ahead, are we identifying the areas in life where they are struggling? Asking ourselves and them how can we help? As the strategic leaders in our families, it's important to have a solid plan to serve our kids. What are the deepest needs they have? Start with questions and let those guide you in helping their situation and spiritual growth. Your game plan will h...

The life of Nehemiah can be tied to fatherhood in several ways. One is the opportunities we take to show love to our families. Nehemiah was always concerned with how others were progressing through life. Are we having intentional conversations and making sure everything is ok with our kids (even if they're out of the home)? Do we ask them for ways we can pray for them? As dads, we need to be prese...

We dads often think that being a leader in the typical sense is good enough: food is on the table, the kids have clothes, and we take Sunday trips to the church where we learn about God. However, as Nehemiah teaches us, the idea of simply being a "leader" at home isn't enough. We must be the spiritual leaders that guide and guard our children. When we take that step to lead and be involved in our...

In today's world, technology and pop culture can often have a greater influence on our kids than we do. So, why do our kids become depressed after watching other people's highlight reels on social media, and what can we do about it? Father and Christian film producer Stephen Kendrick shares some practical steps dads can take to help their kids find inner peace as they navigate the modern social ar...

Have you ever wanted more fruit of the Spirit in your life? When talking about patience specifically, It's important we dads realize that our kids have a genetic desire to connect with us. Therefore, they'll bug us even when our work obligations or the game have our attention. It's our job to call on God's Spirit for the patience and gentleness to respond appropriately. They need us when they need...

If you have young kids, you are probably thinking about who that "special someone" may be for your son or daughter. There may be a few characteristics you want that person to have. You probably want them to follow Jesus, be honest and kind. And, clearly, if they're to earn your child's affection, they must know which chicken restaurant is the best (do I have to say it out loud?). Pray for your kid...

It's time to talk! As dads, our goal is to raise our kids to honor God in their sexuality. Therefore, it's essential to have M.A.N.Y. talks with our kids related to sexual purity. And more importantly, these aren't one-way lectures. Over time, invite your kids to ask questions and spark real conversations at various stages of their understanding. Try not to baby them, tell it to them straight. The...

How we grew up can indeed affect our own fathering. Yet, we are not slaves to our past. Jesus taught us how to forgive, and He commanded us to do it. This is not so the offender gets "off scot free," but so that we are not burdened by our past. How we address our own past can set the stage for how our children relate to God. God Himself has equipped us with all the tools we need to successfully le...

It's easy to blame challenges with our kids on every other factor but our own actions. Many of our issues at home boil down to a lack of communication. As dads, we make things worse by constantly telling and rarely asking. You tell your little kids everything. Go to bed. Put that down. Stop it. "Kenny, don't paint your sister." But, especially for teens, this approach backfires. Let's admit we are...

Dad, understanding the power of our words is crucial. Would you define what comes out of your mouth as a "fountain of life"? Have your words been encouraging? Do you reflect God's righteous example in what you say? These are very powerful and undoubtedly tough questions. Nobody's perfect at this. Yet, our goal as encouraging fathers is to become a verbal reminder of God's love and joy in the lives...

The desire for fresh starts is built into our DNA. God wants us to use these fresh starts as a way to get reground ourselves in His will. We may often have times where we see a needed change in our lives or the lives of members of our family. Let's explore what we need to keep, improve, stop, and start to achieve a richer connection to God's will. Want to join a community of dads like you? Visit:...

Our kids don't need to receive physical gifts from us to feel loved and appreciated. The reality is, our time and focused attention means the world to them (way more than any new gaming console or pair of shoes). And the best part is our kids already have all the fun activities lined up. All we need to do is lean in and dress up for the tea party or gear up for the covert operation to take down Da...

When it comes to our children, natural interruptions can be incredibly valuable. Some of our most opportune moments as fathers will be unplanned, unscripted, and maybe even inconvenient. So, as we get hit with interruptions, let's take advantage and connect with our kids on a deeper level. Want to join a community of dads like you? Visit: https://fatheronpurpose.org

An important part of having patience is realizing we're not in total control of developing our kids. God is. When we trust God and make disciples, the long and trying journey of raising children will be less pressure-packed. We eventually realize that our kids are just as much of a spiritual work-in-progress as we are! Want to join a community of dads like you? Visit: https://fatheronpurpose.org

The modern challenges dads face can often seem impossible to overcome. So, what does the Bible tell us about fatherhood? Chip Ingram explains why dads often feel like they're failing and shares practical steps every dad can take to remove that internal doubt. The truth is a lot of us parent out of fear instead of letting God's Word help us become the fathers we really want to be. Want to join a co...

When dads are thankful, our families are blessed. Yet, amidst all the pressures of our lives, it can be hard to find gratitude. However, we read the clear command in the Bible, "Give thanks in all circumstances..." (1 Thess 5:18). How can we do that as dads when challenges abound, work is hard, money is tight and our favorite team is on a losing streak? Let's figure it out together. Want to join a...

Our goal as godly dads is to guide our children in their walk with Jesus Christ. It's easy to get lost in making sure they can nail a job interview or throw a tight spiral. In reality, the majority of our time should be focused on helping our kids grow in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Even though they may not follow as we hope, our intentionality in how we disciple our kids will help give t...