The Intentional Father: A Practical Guide to Raise Sons of Courage and Character (Includes Activities, Rites of Passage, and Steps for Parenting Boys. ... for Dads, Grandpas, and Expectant Fathers)

by Jon Tyson

raising boys into men of character and consequence—that is, young men who live with integrity and make a positive impact with their lives.

raising boys into men of character and consequence—that is, young men who live with integrity and make a positive impact with their lives.

Many people equate our current broken example with true masculinity itself, and so they think masculinity needs to be done away with.

Many people equate our current broken example with true masculinity itself, and so they think masculinity needs to be done away with.

True masculinity has the strength to smash hierarchies, stand up for those on the margins, and lead men into lives where they are stopping abuse from happening.

True masculinity has the strength to smash hierarchies, stand up for those on the margins, and lead men into lives where they are stopping abuse from happening.

irresponsible father, one who has literally zero involvement with his kids, someone who completely bails on them to the point that they don’t even know who he is.

irresponsible father, one who has literally zero involvement with his kids, someone who completely bails on them to the point that they don’t even know who he is.

ignorant father. This type of father has no idea what he’s doing and continually wreaks havoc in the lives of his children without even realizing it.

ignorant father. This type of father has no idea what he’s doing and continually wreaks havoc in the lives of his children without even realizing it.

inconsistent father who is torn by personal ambition. He has the capability of doing better at this fathering thing, but instead he prioritizes his own job, career, and hobbies.

inconsistent father who is torn by personal ambition. He has the capability of doing better at this fathering thing, but instead he prioritizes his own job, career, and hobbies.

involved father. This type of dad shows up at sporting events and takes the time to put porn filters on his kids’ devices. He gets a lot of things right, but because of the business of life and the failure to ask the right questions, he never seeks to understand specifically who his children are and why God gave them to him.

The intentional father is deeply invested in discovering who his children are and how he can help them reach their redemptive potential. He seeks to understand the children God has given him and wants to form them into young persons who can fulfill their purpose. He sees parenting as central to his call before God and does it with all of his might. This kind of father leaves multigenerational blessing in the lives of his children.

The first thing I noticed was the mindset they try to instill into every single young man: they want them to be infused with a sense of priesthood. As boys enter adolescence, they are given a sense that they are part of the spiritual authority of the church and bear responsibility for its ongoing health.

man is an image bearer and son of God entrusted with power and the responsibility to create, cultivate, care, and defend, for God’s glory and the good of others.

manhood and masculinity—how a man relates to God and who he is in the world—we

two guardrails, two things I think are crucial to keep in mind during the entire journey of being an intentional fa...

godly men operating with authority and responsibility, living for the glory of God and the good of others and submitting to God and serving others.

consequence.”

But the most important thing in all of this is to love and pour into your son. No effort of love, discipleship, and development will ever be wasted in the life of your son, regardless of who he is or what he is wrestling with.