Ep. 215: Three Key Ingredients of Biblical Fatherhood
Release Date: 08/08/2025
Father On Purpose Podcast
Are you leading your home, or just reacting to whatever happens next? If you feel like you’re always playing defense, this episode is for you. In Part 3 of our series From Overwhelmed to Intentional, Kent and Lawson get painfully honest about the difference between reacting and responding, and why that gap matters in fatherhood. You’ll hear how great leaders put “thinking” between the moment and their mouth, why your intent isn’t the same as your impact, and how repentance can actually remove pressure from your kids. You’ll also get a practical reframe for the busyness trap,...
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Ever feel like you’re talking… and it goes straight through your kid's ear and right out the other? This week in part 2 of our series we're calling "From Overwhelmed to Intentional," Kent and Lawson get super practical about communication with your kids, especially in the teen years. You’ll be challenged to consider why “Why won’t they listen?” might be the wrong question, how your posture and timing matter more than your volume, and why listening is not weakness, it’s leadership leverage. Lawson shares a real story from a weekend with his daughter in New York that...
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Ever wondered how Father On Purpose decides what to talk about? In this episode, Kent and Lawson pull back the curtain and let you step into the “kitchen,” the behind-the-scenes process where upcoming episodes get planned and filtered through one question: What does Scripture say Christian dads actually need right now? You’ll hear how the show balances Scripture, practical tools, and real-life stories without winging it and without sounding scripted. You’ll also get a sneak preview of our brand new series which will cover the next five weeks: From Overwhelmed to Intentional. If...
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Ever feel like you’re carrying everything alone and you’re not even sure how it got this way? Scripture is clear: wise men don’t walk solo. In this episode, Kent and Lawson talk about how to surround yourself with godly counsel, why “I don’t have time” is usually a smokescreen, and what’s really going on underneath it (apathy, arrogance, or insecurity). You’ll also get a simple, free tool you can use right away: the Iron Circle Worksheet, created with our partners at Man in the Mirror. It helps you identify the growth areas you actually need help with, then connect those needs...
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Are you heading into 2026 feeling like you’re supposed to have a big New Year’s resolution, yet something about that whole system feels off? In this episode, Kent and Lawson do something different. They “interview” each other about 2025 and talk honestly about what God taught them, where life was hard, and where God showed up with unexpected strength, healing, provision, and joy. You’ll hear stories about 30-year anniversaries, job changes, parenting kids in different seasons, weddings, health scares, and the kind of perspective shift that happens when you stop and remember...
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What if one five-minute message could strengthen another man’s faith, marriage, and fatherhood? In this unique and unexpected episode of Father On Purpose, Lawson steps out solo (kind of...) to share a heartfelt encouragement rooted in Scripture, brotherhood, and years of walking alongside Kent Evans. You'll also get some behind the scenes experience from producer Alex, Kent's oldest son. If you learn one thing from this episode, we hope it's this: no dad is meant to do life alone. God gave us the gift of community to sharpen, steady, and strengthen us. This episode also serves as a special...
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What if family movie night could do more than kill time? Today, Kent and Lawson try something brand new: a simple plan for hosting a Christmas movie night that ends with a meaningful conversation, not everyone sprinting to bed. They use It’s a Wonderful Life as the example, then show you how to do the same thing with any movie that fits your family. You’ll hear how to pull out character lessons from George Bailey, Mary, and even the villain, Mr. Potter, plus how to tailor questions for an 8-year-old, a teenager, or a college kid home for break. Grab the free discussion guide below, use it...
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Ever walk away from a conversation and realize you did almost all the talking…again? As dads, we often think our "advice" is what will change our kids, when in reality, it might just be the questions we ask...or don't ask. In this episode, Kent and Lawson unpack why some men dominate every conversation, why others never ask anything deeper than small talk, and why a humble, curious dad is a great listener instead of a constant lecturer. Kent tells the story of a simple question that completely disarmed him: “What kind of tension does that cause for you?” That one line forced him...
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What does it look like to stay faithful as a dad while navigating high-pressure work, culture, and calling? This week Kent and Lawson sit down with Disney legend turned Chosen creative executive Rick Dempsey for a conversation packed with wisdom, humor, and behind-the-scenes stories (yes… including a helicopter ride with Phil Collins). Rick shares how he viewed decades at Disney as a mission field, how localization taught him to connect more deeply with his kids, and why the “deposit vs withdrawal” principle Steve Jobs taught him might be the most important parenting idea you hear this...
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What if the best Christmas you ever gave your family had nothing to do with what was under the tree? In this episode, Kent and Lawson talk honestly about money pressure, comparison, and the expectation that “good dads” should deliver a huge Christmas every year. They share stories from tight-budget Decembers, laugh about Buzzsaw Louie and Tesla wish lists, and then slow down long enough to ask a better question: What is all this gift giving actually teaching our kids? Walking through passages like Psalm 107 and Acts 20, they unpack the difference between generosity and consumerism, why it...
info_outlineWhat does it really mean to be a biblical father? Not just a moral, modern, or “cool” dad, but one who shapes his kids’ hearts for the Lord. In this episode, we break fatherhood down into three essential ingredients—straight from Scripture—so you can parent with purpose. Whether you’re a brand-new dad or a seasoned veteran, you’ll find biblical encouragement, practical wisdom, and even some laughter along the way.
Think of this episode as a distillation of who we are at our core here at Father On Purpose. If you've been along for the ride with us for the last 4 years or so, we owe you our gratitude. We’ve also got a special challenge for you. If you're a dad who's just joining us, welcome aboard. We hope God uses us to "spur you on toward love and good deeds" (Heb 10:24) and that you would fully embrace becoming a Father On Purpose.
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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. He’s 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.