Latest FORGED Episode:

Masculinity — What Is Real, Biblical Masculinity Compared to What the World Tells Us

Hosts Brandon Reynolds and Derek Abbott bring in a special guest, Mike Self, to talk about masculinity. Into the Deep - Forged is a community of Fathers and Sons coming together to have real talks and deep conversations.

  • Masculinity — What Is Real, Biblical Masculinity Compared to What the World Tells Us

    A MOM’S PERSPECTIVE

    START HERE (FOR BOTH)

    When you hear the word “masculine,” what’s the first image that comes to mind? Be honest — no church answers. Now ask: where did that picture come from?

    EXPERIENCE

    Son — What does your school or social media tell you a “real man” looks like? Does it match what you see at home?

    Dad — What version of masculinity were you handed as a teenager? What did you have to unlearn?

    CULTURE

    The American Psychological Association now flags “traditional masculinity” as potentially harmful. Meanwhile, 63% of young men say they feel pressure to be “emotionally tough.” The world swings between two extremes — toxic aggression or soft passivity. Neither one is the model Scripture gives us.

    SCRIPTURE

    Micah 6:8 & 1 Corinthians 16:13–14

    Upward Focus

    Jesus wept, flipped tables, washed feet, and went to a cross. Which of those surprises you most as a picture of masculinity? Why?

    Inward Focus

    Where are you performing a version of manhood that isn’t really you? Both answer — and be specific.

    Outward Focus

    Who is a younger guy watching how you handle yourself? What are they learning from you right now — honestly?

    W R A P U P

    In one sentence, define what real masculinity looks like for your family. Dad, go first. Son, tell him if that matches what you actually see at home.

    C H A L L E N G E ( B O T H O F Y O U )

    Separately, ask Mom (or a woman you trust): “What do you wish more men understood about real strength?” Don’t defend — just listen. Compare what you heard next time you’re together.

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The Importance of Goal-Setting

Hosts Dayne Scanlon and Derek Abbott bring in a special guest, Mike Self, to talk through goal setting. Into the Deep - Forged is a community of Fathers and Sons coming together to have real talks and deep conversations.

  • The Importance of Goal-Setting

    A PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE

    Start Here (For Both)

    Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Don’t overthink it — just say it out loud. Dad goes first. Now — what are you actually doing today to get there?

    Experience

    Son — Have you ever set a goal and hit it? What made it work? Have you set one and bailed? What happened?

    Dad — Same. Tell your son about a goal that changed your trajectory — and one you let die.

    Culture

    83% of people don’t set goals. Of the 17% who do, only 1 in 3 write them down — but those who do are 42% more likely to achieve them. Culture says “go with the flow.” Scripture says count the cost before you build. A man without a target hits nothing every time.

    Scripture

    Proverbs 16:3 & Philippians 3:13-14

    Upward Focus

    Ask each other: do you think God has specific plans for your life — or just principles? How does that shape the way you set goals?

    Inward Focus

    What goal are you avoiding because it scares you? Both of you — name it. No vague answers.

    Outward Focus

    Who in your life is drifting without direction? What would it look like to help them get a target?

    W R A P   U P

    What’s one goal you’ll commit to out loud right now — and what’s the first step? Son, you go first. Dad, match him.

    C H A L L E N G E   ( B O T H   O F   Y O U )

    This week, each write down 3 goals — one for 30 days, one for 6 months, one for 1 year. Share them with each other before the week is out. Revisit them next time you talk.

Dangers of Sex, Drugs, Drinking, and Debt

Hosts Brandon Reynolds and Derek Abbott talk about the things that can derail us from connecting with Jesus. Those topics that we hit on are sex, drugs, drinking and debt.

  • Dangers of Sex, Drugs, Drinking, and Debt

    A GRANDPARENTS’ PERSPECTIVE

    Start Here (For Both)

    Which of these four — sex, drugs, drinking, debt — does your generation treat the most casually? Why do you think that is? Dad goes first. No lecturing — just an honest take.

    Experience

    Dad — Pick one of the four and tell your son about someone you watched get burned by it — or tell your own story if you’re willing.

    Son — Which of the four are you hearing the most about from friends right now? What’s the message?

    Culture

    By age 18, 62% of teens have tried alcohol and 50% have tried drugs. The average first exposure to pornography is age 12. Nearly 1 in 3 adults under 30 carry debt they can’t manage. Grandparents will tell you — every one of these starts as “just once” or “everybody does it.” None of them stay casual. All four create bondage that’s easier to enter than to escape.

    Scripture

    Colossians 3:5 & Ephesians 2:10

    Upward Focus

    Does God care about what you do with your body and your money — or just your heart? Why?

    Inward Focus

    Which of the four is your biggest vulnerability right now? Don’t dodge it. Both of you — be specific.

    Outward Focus

    Who around you are heading toward one of these traps? What would it cost you to speak up — and what does it cost them if you don’t?

    W R A P   U P

    What boundary do you need to set — or reset — and what would keeping it actually look like day to day? Son, go first. Dad, don’t just nod — share yours too.

    C H A L L E N G E   ( B O T H   O F   Y O U )

    Pick the one of the four that hits closest to home. Research one real-life consequence together — a stat, a story, a testimony. Discuss what guardrails look like for your family. Write one down and put it somewhere you’ll see it.

Establishing Habits

Hosts Brandon Reynolds and Derek Abbott bring in special guest Dayne Scanlon to talk about daily habits and how that impacts your walk with Jesus.

  • Establishing Habits

    A GRANDPARENTS’ PERSPECTIVE

    Start Here (For Both)

    When was the last time you thought about Jesus on a random Tuesday — not at church, not at a meal? If you can’t remember, that’s an honest answer. Start there.

    Experience

    Dad — Tell your son about a time your faith felt real in an ordinary moment — not a camp high or a crisis prayer.

    Son — Does your faith feel like something you do on weekends or something that follows you through the week? Be honest.

    Culture

    Only 10% of Christian men read their Bible daily. 61% of Gen Z Christians say faith is “not very important” in their daily decisions. Grandparents grew up in a culture where faith was woven into everyday rhythms — meals, work, neighbors. Today faith competes with a thousand distractions. Jesus didn’t say “follow Me on Sundays.” He said “follow Me.”

    Scripture

    John 15:5 & John 3:30

    Upward Focus

    If Jesus showed up in your normal routine tomorrow — school, work, gym — would He feel welcomed or like a stranger? Why?

    Inward Focus

    Where in your daily life is God completely absent right now? Not where you wish He was — where He actually isn’t. Both answer.

    Outward Focus

    Who in your life would be surprised to find out you’re a Christian? What does that tell you?

    W R A P   U P

    What’s one daily habit — even 5 minutes — that could make your faith something you carry, not something you visit? Dad, go first.

    C H A L L E N G E   ( B O T H   O F   Y O U )

    For 7 days, text each other one moment from the day where you noticed God — or wished you had. Keep it to one sentence. See what changes by day 7.

How Do You Cope with Disappointment?

Hosts Brandon Reynolds and Derek Abbott bring in special guest Dayne Scanlon to talk through disappointment and how we deal with it, the good and the bad of it.

  • How Do You Cope with Disappointment?

    A MOM’S PERSPECTIVE

    Start Here (For Both)

    What’s a recent disappointment that hit harder than you expected? How did you handle it in the first 24 hours? Dad, be real — don’t clean it up.

    Experience

    Son — Think about the last time something didn’t go your way — a team, a grade, a friendship. Where did you go with that feeling?

    Dad — Tell your son about a time disappointment almost took you out. What pulled you through?

    Culture

    Gen Z reports higher rates of anxiety and lower distress tolerance than any previous generation. 1 in 3 teens say they don’t know how to handle failure. Culture says you deserve better. Scripture says suffering produces endurance — and endurance produces character. The question isn’t if disappointment comes. It’s what you do when it does.

    Scripture

    Psalm 34:18 & Matthew 11:28

    Upward Focus

    Has a disappointment ever turned out to be God redirecting you? Can you see it now even if you couldn’t then?

    Inward Focus

    When you’re disappointed, do you shut down, blow up, or numb out? Be honest. Both answer.

    Outward Focus

    Who around you is going through a disappointment right now? What would it look like to show up for them this week — not fix it, just be there?

    W R A P   U P

    What’s one thing you want to handle differently next time disappointment hits? Son, go first. Dad, tell him what you’re still working on too.

    C H A L L E N G E   ( B O T H   O F   Y O U )

    Next time you’re disappointed this week, text each other within 24 hours. Not to fix it — just to say it out loud. Practice not carrying it alone.