Most dads tell me they feel like failures. Even if you’re busy with good stuff like church, kid’s sports, and family, you still wonder if your priorities are out of whack. We interviewed NFL QB Jeff Kemp for the Father On Purpose Podcast and he talked about 4 principles you should know as a dad.

#1 RECEIVE: You receive your identity from Christ. God said, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased (Matt. 3:17). Jeff played with Steve Largent and Jerry Rice, Hall of Fame receivers who didn’t just catch the ball, they received it. They protected the football carefully. Jesus ordered His day around time alone with His Father. Take time daily to RECEIVE what God has for you in His Word.

#2 TRANSFORM: If you know God, you will be conformed to the image of his Son (Rom. 8:29). Unlike Jesus who was perfect, we need to change/improve/transform. Only God can help you be a better husband/dad/worker.

#3 HUDDLE: Intentionally connect with friends to grow in Christ. God calls you to bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2), share in one another’s joys, grieve together, and mutually confess your mistakes so you can heal and move forward.

#4 LIFT: God will help you know how to stir one another to love and good works (Heb. 10:24). Jesus encouraged/supported/brought out the best in people and situations.

HOW CHRISTIAN FATHERS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD: We live in a culture that has turned its back on genuine manhood and the importance of dads in society. But at Manhood Journey, we believe in fighting for Christian fathers. We believe that encouraging and challenging this generation of dads will make a difference for generations to come. In this article, you can learn more about our vision—and how you can partner with us in the battle for Christian dads.

RECEIVING, NOT ACHIEVING, WITH JEFF KEMP: While most of the world shut down during the 2020 pandemic, writer and speaker Jeff Kemp took on the most important project of his life. A former NFL quarterback, Jeff turned to God’s Word to find out exactly what it means to be a child of God, a son of the heavenly Father. His study turned into his new book, Receive. In this episode, Jeff will share the gameplan God taught him about receiving sonship, escaping from the rat race of our performance culture, and reshaping our relationships with God and one another.

“Your identity should be wrapped up in what God says about you rather than what the world tells you.” —Jeff Kemp

“There is great freedom and joy in aiming to out-bless others.” —Jeff Kemp

“The secret to contentment is to allow myself to be defined by my heavenly Father, not by my failures or successes.” —Jeff Kemp

“Manhood is not self-propelled. It’s not self-confident. It’s God-confident. It comes from Jesus and our Father—knowing Him as the source of life, love, and mission.” —Jeff Kemp

4 questions. Ask yourself these questions based on the four principles: #1 RECEIVE: What are your words/actions teaching your family about receiving/being connected to the Father? #2 TRANSFORM: How are you currently conforming to Christ? #3 HUDDLE: Who are the real friends you connect with intentionally? #4 LIFT: How do you improve situations with your wife and kids simply because you’re around? Pick the one area that needs the most work and do one thing to improve this week.

Kent Evans
Author of Bring Your Hammer, 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.

Forward this to a dad you know who needs some encouragement.