God’s commands are rooted in His grace. You don’t work your way to godliness. You need His grace when you’re exhausted, tempted, or unsure. Titus 2:11–12 shows three ways grace makes you steady as a dad.

#1 Grace saves. The grace of God has appeared…bringing salvation… Grace is God’s unearned and undeserved kindness and mercy. You don’t earn it; you receive it. Without grace, no salvation; with Jesus, every sin has an answer—including yours. His grace saves you from sin and judgement. Your worth is no longer measured in metrics.

#2 Grace trains. …training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions… Grace is a coach, teaching you to say no to ungodliness. Grace rewires habits and changes reflexes—from anger and lust—to patience and purity. Say yes to grace—your yes empowers your no to sin. Practice: name one old habit (sarcasm/scrolling). Choose a replacement (gentle question/device down).

#3 Grace empowers. …to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. Grace seems to work in at least three directions—with yourself: self-control, with others: upright, and with God: godly lives. It’s restraint, fairness, and respect that keeps you walking with God and His grace—one day at a time.

How to Put Others Before Yourself: For the most part, we like to see ourselves as “the good guys” in life. We’re the ones wearing the white hats, working hard to make the world a better place. When we scratch a little deeper, though, we discover some dark corners ruled by selfishness. Ever since Eden, none of us have put other people first voluntarily. Thankfully, God understands our struggle, and He’s provided help for those who are open to learning selflessness and to living out “love thy neighbor” in practical ways.

Sherman Smith On The Privilege and Responsibility of Being a Father: In this episode, NFL coach Sherman Smith shares how Scripture, scars, and spiritual identity shaped his journey as a father and disciple-maker. He unpacks what it means to lead with humility, pass on wisdom through pain, and why your legacy isn’t about success on the field—but faithfulness in the home. This is a must-listen for any dad who’s ever questioned his impact or purpose.

Jerry Bridges: “Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace; and your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.”

In the present age. You can’t be a godly dad without God’s grace. You need His power for in the present age—for today. You can’t be good enough, strong enough, or smart enough. It’s only His grace that saves, trains, and empowers you each day.

Consider how Grace can save, train, and empower you today. Here’s one idea for each:

Grace saves: Pray in the morning, “God, my worth is Your work, not mine.”

Grace trains: When you’re triggered, take a breath and pray, “Lord, help me show Your grace.”

Grace empowers: After shutting down for work and before starting your evening at home, pray, “God, guide my words.”

Kent Evans
Author of Don’t Bench Yourself, co-founder of Manhood Journey

P.S. Was this Mountain Monday helpful? Tell me if you love it, hate it, or if there’s something you’d like in the next one.

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