I recommend the book True Spirituality: Becoming a Romans 12 Christian, by Chip Ingram. In it, he discusses three big questions we are asking (whether we say them out loud or not). Our kids are seeking answers to these as well:

• Who am I? (focus: my identity)
• Where do I belong? (my security)
• What am I supposed to do? (my significance)

As you head into the new year, do you know the answers to these questions? In one sense, the answers are simple and the exact same for every Christ follower: You are a child of God (1 John 3:1), you belong with Christ forever (John 10:27-28), and you’re created for good works He prepared in advance (Eph 2:10). Yet, in another sense, these questions are to be uniquely answered by each of us in light of the specific missions He’s called us to. We are the body, individually members of it, but together unified. Spend some time making sure you and your family know the answers to these questions. How we think on these can help us set our course for the new year!

Bible Verses on Spiritual Leadership for Husbands: You’ve seen it in the movies: Something happens to the pilot, and a passenger has to land the plane against all odds. Sometimes, that’s what spiritual leadership seems like in our homes. We don’t feel qualified or capable, but God has called us as husbands to land the plane. Thankfully, He also has provided several Bible passages about men being the spiritual leaders of their families. He’s given us the responsibility to lead, but He’s also equipped us with His Word and His Spirit to get the job done.

Clarence Shuler: Finding Light in a Dark Place: Every father wants the best for his children. But before they can help their kids become the best version of themselves, many fathers need to discover their own true identity. Author Clarence Shuler longs to help men escape the darkness of depression, anxiety, and insecurity so they can walk in the light of their true relationship with their heavenly Father. In this episode, we’ll talk about Clarence’s new book, Finding Hope in a Dark Place, and discuss some practical ways fathers can become all that God created them to be.

“If a man hasn’t discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.”
– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“You weren’t put on earth to be remembered. You were put here to prepare for eternity.”
– Rick Warren

“This is how God works. He puts people in positions where they are desperate for his power, and then he shows his provision in ways that display his greatness.”
– David Platt

Answer the big questions. You probably already have some basic answers to the questions posed above. Dive in more deeply. Ask God if there’s any part of those answers that you misunderstand or don’t fully believe. He will meet you in your question and desire to firmly find those answers. Share your results with your family, see what kind of conversation this sparks!

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.