I was speaking to a small group of pastors recently. One asked me a great question. He said, “Based on your work with dads, what are one or two areas where most fathers could improve?” First, read the Bible more often. Sadly, many dads have a better handle on their fantasy football team’s performance than they do a command of God’s Word. We gotta spend more time renewing our minds and letting scripture shape us. Second, ask better questions. So many dads tell us they struggle to communicate and connect with their kids. Often, the quickest way to improve that is with better (and more) questions. Especially as our kids hit their teen years, we unlock rich communication with them by asking great questions. Proverbs 20:5 says, a person of understanding draws out the thoughts of someone’s heart. Go be a dad of understanding!

3 steps to love your wife more than ever: If you want to love your wife more than ever, try talking to her. And not just, “What’s up, you look hot!” Open up and be unguarded with your words. A vulnerable conversation with your wife will draw you two closer in ways little else can.

Being a thankful dad sets the tone for our family: When dads are thankful, our families are blessed. Yet, amidst all the pressures of our lives, it can be hard to find gratitude. However, we read the clear command in the Bible, “Give thanks in all circumstances…” (1 Thess 5:18). How can we do that as dads when challenges abound, work is hard, money is tight and our favorite team is on a losing streak? Let’s figure it out together.

“All the miseries and evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.” – Noah Webster

“It ain’t those parts of the Bible that I can’t understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.” – Mark Twain

“Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.” – Voltaire

Ask better questions. This is a topic we hit on frequently in Mountain Monday. The reason? Because all dads agree it’s a good idea, but few have mastered the art. It’s kinda like watching a great athlete perform. We understand clearly how they are succeeding. The physics of making a jump shot, swimming efficiently or passing a football are easy to understand. It’s replicating the feat that eludes most of us. It’s one thing to know, quite another to do. This week, dive into the Bible a bit more and toss some questions into the mix. I bet those two things will help you level up as a dad!

Kent Evans
Author of The Manhood Journey, co-founder of Manhood Journey and Father On Purpose.

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.