Training4Manhood

Leadership Comparison

 

Host: Dan Panetti

 

In reading Mark chapters 14 and 15, you’ll discover two very different leadership “styles” - one of Jesus who modeled service, surrender, and sacrifice - and one of Pilate (Roman prefect/governor) who modeled position, performance, and power.

What do you think you embody as a leader…in your home, at work, in the community?

 

Some great resources to help you wrestle with these concepts are:

 

The Awe of God: The Astounding Way a Healthy Fear of God Transforms Your Life by John Bevere

 

A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society by Eugene Peterson

 

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…and Others Don’t by Jim Collins

 

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle (info@training4manhood.com) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

 

Warming Ourselves by the World's Fire | When Comfort Results in Conformity

 

Host: Dan Panetti

 

In Mark 14, we are told the story of Peter warming himself by the world’s fire and while he is getting comfortable, that comfort results in his conformity to the world! The question we have to ask is where are we warming ourselves by the world’s fire? Where are we making little compromises to fit into the popular opinion instead of taking a stand on what is right and true?

 

Sure there are great heroes who have made bold stands in the face of overwhelming opposition - and maybe you or I will be called to face that kind of decision - but most of us are faced with far less dramatic situations where we are asked to make stands for truth and the only thing is might cost us is social capital or at worst our jobs. 

 

This world needs men who take a stand for truth regardless of the cost. Don’t warm yourself by the world’s fire…stand on the Word of God.

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle (info@training4manhood.com) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

How Christianity Changed the World | Your Life Reflects What is Important to You

 

Host: Dan Panetti

 

Some claim that Jesus wasn’t the Messiah because they judge a rabbi (Jewish teacher) by his followers. To that I would say two things. First, be careful about ignoring the truth of a message because of the messengers. But, secondly, I would say, ok…let’s evaluate the impact that Jesus has had on the lives of countless individuals and their communities and cultures over time.

 

A few resources to help you wrestle with these concepts:

 

How Christianity Changed the World by Alvin Schmidt. Description of the book from Amazon: Western civilization is becoming increasingly pluralistic, secularized, and biblically illiterate. Many people today have little sense of how their lives have benefited from Christianity’s influence, often viewing the church with hostility or resentment. How Christianity Changed the World is a topically arranged Christian history for Christians and non-Christians. Grounded in solid research and written in a popular style, this book is both a helpful apologetic tool in talking with unbelievers and a source of evidence for why Christianity deserves credit for many of the humane, social, scientific, and cultural advances in the Western world in the last two thousand years.

Hopefully this conversation is a powerful reminder that others are evaluating what is important to you by looking at your life. If you're a follower of Jesus Christ, I hope that others can see that you've spent time with Him today!

 

Amazing Grace is both a movie and a book (well, it’s a song, too, written by John Newton). The book Amazing Grace by Eric Metaxas is an outstanding biography about the life and impact of William Wilberforce, credited with the elimination of slavery in England. The movie Amazing Grace (2006) stars Ioan Gruffard and Benedict Cumberbatch - find it on your favorite streaming video service.

 

Braveheart (1995) - incredible film starring Mel Gibson as William Wallace. Find it and watch it.

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle (info@training4manhood.com) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Developing a Biblical Worldview | Answering Life's Most Important Questions

 

Host: Dan Panetti

 

Here are some helpful additional resources to further your Biblical worldview development:

 

• Biblical Worldview: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Shape the Worldview of the Next Generation by Josh Mulvihill
• What Is Wrong with the World?: The Surprising, Hopeful Answer to the Question We Cannot Avoid by Timothy Keller
• Worldview Academy resources
• Summit Ministry resources
• What’s Your Worldview by James Anderson

 

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle (info@training4manhood.com) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Ambition for Godliness | Conversation with Randell Holmes, Jr. (Part 2 of 2)

 

Guest: Randell Holmes, Jr., college student/athlete at Texas A&M University, author of Daily Devotional for Teen Boys

 

Welcome back to our conversation with Randell Holmes. This week Randell starts off firing from both barrels as he challenges us to grasp the difference between what he calls “fruitfulness over faithfulness.” Many young men are more concerned with the “fruitfulness” of the things of this world - God is concerned with your faithfulness to produce SPIRITUAL fruit in your life and your community!

 

I mentioned the incredible book Thoughts for Young Men by J.C. Ryle and the question that Ryle asks, “Where are the godly older men?” Ryle thought there were so few godly older men because the enemy and worldly ambition bent them closer to the temporary things of this world and they never grew up tall and strong for the Lord’s service. Randell reminds us that a lot of young men don’t believe that following God is “truly worth it.” Scripture reminds us in Psalm 84:10 that it is better to be “one day” in the presence of God than a thousand elsewhere! You might ask, “Is following God truly worth it?”  Randell’s challenge to you is that you’ll never know unless you truly try it. That reminds me of an incredible statement from the British author G.K. Chesterton who said, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.”

 

Our next topic of conversation brings up the idea of Christian hedonism put forth by John Piper in Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist. Piper says that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. Check out this article from Desiring God’s website for further explanation. Randell reminds us that Romans 8:5-6 addresses this same concept - that when our minds are set on what the flesh desires, that “mind governed by the flesh is death.” But those who set their minds on “things above” or the “Spirit” have “life and peace.”

 

Randell’s recommendations for this year:

1. Recognize that you cannot manage sin. Sin will take you farther than you wanted to go, keep you longer than you wanted to stay, and cost you more than you wanted to pay. “Be killing sin or sin will be killing you,” John Owen.
2. Make a priority to open up God’s Word. The same breath that God breathed into Adam is breathed into us through His Word.
3. Find a mentor who will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.

 

Final word from Randell - if you’re not a believer/follower of Jesus Christ - you’re missing out on God’s purpose for you! Find a good church, open the Word of God, ask some questions and get some answers about the true meaning of life!

 

Randell’s book is part of a 3-part series that covers young men from youth through college:

• Devotions for Preteen Boys by Randell Holmes, Jr. and Chandler Fletcher
• Daily Devotionals for Teen Boys (ages 14-16) by Randell Holmes, Jr.
• Daily Devotionals for College Men by Brett Trefren

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle (info@training4manhood.com) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Ambition for Godliness | Conversation with Randell Holmes, Jr. (Part 1 of 2)

 

Guest: Randell Holmes, Jr., college student/athlete at Texas A&M University, author of Daily Devotional for Teen Boys

 

As a young man, Randell found his identity in football…but in college, something changed. To be honest, what changed was Randell himself. God truly got a hold of Randell’s heart, his life, his passion and his trajectory in life changed forever! Randell went from a “football player” to a young man passionately pursuing a relationship with the Lord.

 

Great reminder from Randell that walking with Jesus is a relationship…and for a relationship to grow and mature, it takes intentionality - time, energy, focus. If you want to get closer to God, get in the Word, spend time in prayer, and find an older, more mature Christian man to disciple you. Some guys don’t want to “get closer” to God - they are fine with “distance” because then they control the relationship - but that’s like having a Ferrari and driving it in first gear - it’s time to shift and accelerate that relationship!

 

What’s next for Randell - well, he’s off to an incredible place called Campus by the Sea, a Christian camp on Catalina Island in sunny California! Join me in praying for Randell and this incredible opportunity to impact the lives of others! And don’t forget to come back next week for the incredible continuation of our conversation with Randell.

 

Randell’s book is part of a 3-part series that covers young men from youth through college:

• Devotions for Preteen Boys by Randell Holmes, Jr. and Chandler Fletcher
• Daily Devotionals for Teen Boys (ages 14-16) by Randell Holmes, Jr.
• Daily Devotionals for College Men by Brett Trefren

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle (info@training4manhood.com) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Life Essentials | Where Should You Be on Your Journey by Age 20? (2 of 2)

 

Guest: Campbell Panetti

 

What “tools” would be good to have developed (or at least been exposed to, be familiar with) by the time you’re 20-years-old? This is a fun and meaningful conversation with Campbell about important “life skills” - not only how these skills are developed, but what skills should we concentrate on to truly be on the road to “success” in life?

 

The tools/skills that we addressed in this episode:

• Have a worldview informed by the Word of God. You should have a good appreciation and knowledge of God’s Word - which should be growing and maturing every year!
• Understand how to treat a woman well. As a young man, it starts with appreciating your mom and sisters (if you have them). By age 20, you need to value and cherish the biblical role of a woman…and be intentional about developing mature relationships, including the importance of purity and influence of what you see and hear.
• Begin to grasp how powerful the impact of music is in your life. Pay attention to what influences the person you’re becoming.
• Begin to grasp that you are body, soul, and spirit - what you put into your body and mind influence the person you become. Eat well and read good books - a good goal for a 20-year-old is one book a month?!
• Stop making excuses, don’t look back, focus on where you want to go and get moving in that direction!
• Life skills to be able to take care of yourself…and begin to take care of others. Do laundry, cook a couple meals, clean up after yourself! Appreciate the small things that it takes for people to function in society!
• Understand and appreciate the meaning and importance of what a true “friend” is. You have colleagues, acquaintances, classmates, teammates - and friends. A friend is someone who has your best interest in mind and is willing to do what is necessary even if it costs them.
• Understand and appreciate the value of your time…as a resource, time is way more valuable than people think…don’t waste your time. The days are long, but the years are short.

 

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle (info@training4manhood.com) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Life Essentials | Where Should You Be on Your Journey by Age 20? (1 of 2)

 

Guest: Campbell Panetti

 

What “tools” would be good to have developed (or at least been exposed to, be familiar with) by the time you’re 20-years-old? This is a fun and meaningful conversation with Campbell about important “life skills” - not only how these skills are developed, but what skills should we concentrate on to truly be on the road to “success” in life?

 

The tools/skills that we addressed in this episode:

• Tools for spiritual formation - your faith has become your own, not your parent’s faith. You can “feed” yourself in your spiritual formation.
• You have someone pouring spiritual truth into you…and you’re pouring spiritual truth into someone else!
• Know how to work and have a strong work ethic.
• Understand the value of relationships/connections and how to build and cultivate them.

 

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle (info@training4manhood.com) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

 

Trust...then Train | Giving God Our Very Best This Year

 

Host: Dan Panetti

 

Trust

• Psalm 127
• Isaiah 40:30

 

Facing the Giants movie

 

Tim Tebow interview with Kirk Cameron: Here’s How We Start Making a Difference

 

Train

• 1 Timothy 4:8
• 2 Timothy 2:15

 

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle (info@training4manhood.com) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

 

Word of the Year 2026

 

Guests: The Entire Panetti Family!

 

Our family has been selecting a “Word for the Year” for quite a while and I wanted to share this process with each of you because I really believe it can be such a valuable and rewarding experience - honestly, the process of looking for the word is, in my opinion, the most valuable part - spending time in God’s Word and in prayer and expectation - asking God what He wants to do with you this year, considering ways that you can and should grow in maturity and grace, and actually reflecting on God’s goodness and provision over the past year - it’s such a rewarding and wonderful exercise for every believer! I hope that this becomes an annual tradition in your life as it has in ours. 

 

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle (info@training4manhood.com) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.