Friendships aren’t just for women. When it comes to building strong relationships, biology isn’t the problem—pride is. But, the godly dad understands the importance of building relationships. So, what are we to do? It’s time you seek out other men and dads for fellowship, accountability, and mentoring.
Why does building relationships matter as a dad?
We don’t have shallow friendships just because we’re men. No, we tolerate surface-level friendships because we’re selfish. The godly dad knows that building relationships is a key tool in his pack. You must get this right, or you risk being alone and vulnerable to attack—right where Satan wants you.
Relationships matter because you’re not built to go through this life alone. Forces are waging war against you. For you to have this tool in your pack, you’ll need to head some relationship killers off at the pass. You’ll need to kill pride and crush culture.
If you’ve been following along, you already know the power of praying fervently, of trusting God, and knowing Scripture. Building relationships is a vital outgrowth of these faithful tools.
The godly dad knows that building relationships is a key tool in his pack. Because solo treks are dangerous.
How does building relationships play out in your life?
Getting stronger at relationships usually starts with asking better questions. In many cases, we think about ourselves too much. Instead, think more about the other person. Ask things like, “What are your kids into these days?” or “What have you read lately that’s been helpful?”
For your kids, it means asking questions like, “What’s one thing that happened in school today that was surprising?” or “What was the highlight of your week?” Trust me, when you do this, you’ll get a “Meh, my day stunk…” answer many times. But, it’ll spur your kids to think. And, they’ll start talking about something that happened. That’s your cue to listen. My oldest loves to ask me, “So, what was the best part of your day?” Funny thing is, she often asks me this in the early afternoon. My answer is usually, “Uh, ask me again after my afternoon coffee!”
Building relationships is important. Knowing questions that spark better conversations is one good way to get better at building relationships. You’ll find more questions in your Survival Gear. But for now, remember Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
It’s not hard. Ask a question. Listen closely. Then, ask another question.
What does building relationships look like for you right now?
How does building relationships look right now? Are you really doing it? It’s time you take an honest assessment. Once you do, you can determine where you are and what you should do next.
Here are the four stages when it comes to a relationship-building mindset:
Stage 1 > New Traveler: You’re kind to your family and others you’re required to be around.
Stage 2 > Capable Navigator: You have one or two friends you are transparent with about things that matter.
Stage 3 > Road Warrior: You’re always willing to have an honest dialogue about your challenges and victories.
Stage 4 > Tour Guide: You seek out other men and dads for fellowship, accountability, and mentoring.
Think about it, which stage are you on right now? Be honest with yourself. Then, determine to move to the next stage.
The godly dad seeks out other men and dads for fellowship, accountability, and mentoring.
