Ep. 246: What Does It Really Mean to FOLLOW God as a Father?

What does it actually look like for a dad to follow God in everyday life?

In this episode, Kent and Lawson talk about a simple but powerful word that is shaping Kent's year: follow. For 16 years, Kent's family has taken an annual family retreat where each person chooses a word to focus on for the year. This year, Kent's word opened the door to a deeper conversation about hearing God's voice, letting go of our own plans, and trusting Him with the path ahead.

They also talk about how dads can study Scripture in a way that actually changes them, not just fills their heads with information. Kent shares a practical method for slowing down, praying through God's Word, and doing a topical Bible study that sinks into the heart.

Along the way, Lawson reflects on disappointment, closed doors, and how God often uses detours to grow our faith and redirect our lives. If you've ever felt pulled in too many directions, unsure what God wants from you, or hungry to lead your family with greater spiritual clarity, this conversation will help.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• How the Evans family uses a yearly retreat to build spiritual intentionality
• What Jesus teaches about following the Father
• Why pace and prayer matter when reading the Bible
• How disappointment can become a tool God uses to redirect us
• Why dads who want their kids to follow well must learn to follow God first

Key Scriptures (for further study, if you're so inclined...;):

• John 6:38
• Proverbs 16:9
• Ephesians 2:10
• John 8:12
• John 10:4
• John 12:26

And, if you're interested in hearing more from our 9-part study on Proverbs 16, scroll all the way back to episode 59 and give those a listen!

Want to shape the direction of the show this year? Leave us a voicemail and tell us what you're facing as a dad: manhoodjourney.org/podcast Scroll down to "What's Your Story?" and leave us a message!

You're not a father on accident. Go be a father on purpose.

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We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ygYnHVBstX8

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• Have a topic you want us to touch on? Well, get in touch! Send us an email at: [email protected]

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About our hosts:

• Kent Evans is the Executive Director and co-founder of Manhood Journey, a ministry that helps dads become disciple-makers. After a twenty-year career as a business leader, he embarked on biblical Fatherhood ministry projects. He's appeared on television, radio, web outlets and podcasts. He's spoken at parenting and men's events, and authored four books. The first, Wise Guys: Unlocking Hidden Wisdom from the Men Around You, was written to help men learn how to find mentors and wise counsel. The latest, Don't Bench Yourself: How to Stay in the Game Even When You Want to Quit, aims to help dads stay present in their roles as fathers and husbands even when they feel like giving up. Kent's life has been radically affected by godly mentors and his lovely wife, April. They have been married thirty years and have five sons and one daughter-in-law. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.

• Lawson Brown is husband to his high school sweetheart, a father of two young adult daughters, has been a business leader since 1995, and is a former Marine. He served as a small group leader for teenage boys for many years, helped start the Christian media ministry City on a Hill Productions, then later Sanctuary – a new church in Kennesaw, GA – where he served as its leader for Men's Ministry. Lawson's journey of faith has always been centered in a grounding from his wife, Audrey, and supported throughout by many men whom he's found as brothers along the way. His family is nearing an empty nest phase and has recently relocated to the Florida Gulf Coast beaches area.