What are you holding onto so tightly that, if Jesus asked you to let it go, you'd walk away sad? In this episode, Kent and Lawson dig into the story of the rich young ruler and why it still hits hard for dads today. This is not just a conversation about money. It is about anything that competes for our trust, identity, security, and obedience. Possessions, status, titles, comfort, control. Anything we grip harder than we cling to Christ can quietly become a problem.
The guys talk about what Jesus was really getting at in this well-known passage, how God's kingdom completely redefines value, and why this story matters for fathers trying to lead their families with open hands.
This episode will challenge you to ask an uncomfortable but necessary question: Do you have your possessions, or do your possessions have you? If you want to follow Jesus more faithfully, lead your kids with greater clarity, and model what real surrender looks like, this conversation is for you.
Read the story of the rich young ruler (all 3 accounts): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%2019%3A13-30%3B%20Mark%2010%3A17-30%3B%20Luke%2018%3A18-30&version=ESV
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MEET THE HOSTS
Kent Evans is the Executive Director and co-founder of Manhood Journey, a ministry that helps dads become disciple-makers. After a twenty-year career as a business leader, he embarked on biblical fatherhood ministry projects. He’s authored four books. The most recent, Don’t Bench Yourself: How to Stay in the Game Even When You Want to Quit. He and his wife April have been married for three decades and they have five sons.
Lawson Brown married his high school sweetheart, and is a father of two adult daughters. He’s a business leader and a former (always!) Marine. He’s served as a small group leader, helped launch ministries and a church plant where he served as its Men’s Ministry leader. His faith journey has always been centered in a grounding from his wife, Audrey, and supported throughout by many men who’ve been brothers along the way. His family is nearing an empty nest phase and has recently relocated to the Florida Gulf Coast beaches area.
FEATURING GREAT GUESTS
Gary Chapman
Ken Blanchard
Chip Ingram
“Y’all are teaching Godly wisdom in ways that I can understand and put to use raising these 8 kiddos of mine, and to be a more present and respectful husband! Keep it up Brothers! God bless y’all!”
–Cody C.
“I’ve been listening to the Father on Purpose podcast for about 3-4 months or so now and I absolutely love the fathering advice that is discussed. This show has helped be become a better father day after day.”
–Matthew S.
RECENT PODCASTS
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This week, we dive into powerful conversations exploring why success might be the wrong goal—and why faithfulness is the true target. We get into some of our favorite definitions of success, such as, "when those who know you best respect you the most" (thanks Mark!) or "being in the process of achieving a God-honoring goal." We'll also examine some biblical wisdom from Joshua, Psalms, Proverbs, and elsewhere to redefine our idea of prospering and effectiveness.
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We talk about:
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Whether you grew up with the wrong role models—or none at all—this episode is a hope-filled reminder that it’s never too late to begin again. Whenever you feel like life is running you over and it seems impossible that God could use you any more, soak in this reminder from Sammy: "I was created for more than this." This one is for the dad who feels disqualified. God’s not done with you, even if there are times you might feel like you're done with him.
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What’s Your Mission as a Dad?
Being a godly dad is hard work. Challenges abound, and sometimes, we just need some ideas, encouragement, and a little laughter along the way. So, we created the Father On Purpose Podcast to have real, fun, and practical conversations about being dads. Fatherhood is awesome, sacred, and hard all at the same time. We don’t have all the answers, but together as dads, we’ll try to figure it out.