Each generation of men come with their own unique traits and worldview. How do you take a group of men, men of all ages, and lead them on a path of discipleship? In this episode, my friend Jason Wood helps me wrestle with this question. Jason is the Pastor at Faith Presbyterian Church in Covington Louisiana, and is on the front lines of discipling men. Listen in as he shares insights about discipling men of different ages and stages of life.

What are the unique challenges and opportunities when discipling Boomers? Joe and Evan discuss strategies that work and don't work when reaching Boomer men for spiritual growth. If you want help discipling one of your friends - no matter what generation they come from - you can get helpful resources from our website. https://www.xtrainingministries.com/

What are the unique challenges and opportunities of discipling men of Gen X? Listen to find out strategies for reaching men of Gen X for spiritual growth. If you need help discipling your friends - no matter what generation they come from - check out our website to get resources that will help you along your journey. https://www.xtrainingministries.com/

What are the unique challenges and opportunities that come with discipling men of the Millennial generation? Joe, Evan, and Andy discuss the unique characteristics of Millennials, and the best strategies for inspiring them toward spiritual growth. They also discuss five hard truths that Millennials need to swallow (all taken from Richard Rohr). Life is hardYou are not that importantYour life is not about youYou are not in controlYou are going to dieIf you need help discipling a fr...

We're kicking off a new short series answering the question: What are the unique challenges of discipling men of each generation? In this episode we'll look at Gen Z. What are the unique traits of this generation? What are the strategies and tactics that will help you disciple Gen Z men? Listen to find out. Also, you'll hear a new voice this episode. A true Scotsman, Andy Murray, will be joining us for this series. It should be a fun one. If you need help discipling your friends, no matter wh...

What comes to your mind when you hear the term "toxic masculinity"? In this episode, Joe and Evan discuss Nancy Pearcey's book, and talk about the different types of masculinity that have surfaced throughout history. Which type of masculinity is informing the way you treat your family, your work, your vision for life? The 5 types of masculinity we discuss: Charles IngallsElon MuskBear GryllsHugh HefnerHomer Simpson

What is a manly man? This week Joe and Evan read Mansfield's Book of Manly Men - and pulled out key insights for ordinary Christian men. In this conversation they answer: What is manliness?Do we see it in the Bible?Is it a virtue?What is at the core of manliness? What are optional cultural accessories?What are the dangers/distortions of manliness?How do you develop manliness?Subscribe to our newsletter to get more resources on masculinity.

What does it mean to be a man? This week Joe and Evan read Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, and discuss the insights that are helpful for ordinary men. Subscribe to our newsletter to get blog posts, book summaries, and conversation guides for all of the books covered in this series.

In this episode Joe and Evan discuss J.C. Ryle's book Thoughts for Young Men. Ryle is helpful in urging young men toward godliness. Godliness is not a extra feature of manhood. Men are made for God therefore mature men are godly men. Godliness is both the destination of the manhood journey and the road. Check out Joe's book Surviving the Trenches for more help on the road to godliness.

Is there a pathway out of boyhood and into manhood? This week Joe and Evan interact with Jason Craig's book Leaving Boyhood Behind. Jason says, "masculinity is a gift that is received and responded to". Learn what this means, and how it fits into Joe and Evan's ongoing journey toward a clearer definition of Biblical masculinity.

What are the differences between a boy and a man? What are the roles that boys need to be raised to fill? How can we form boys to become the men that our families, churches, and communities need? These are the questions that Doug Wilson tries to answer in his book Future Men. In this episode, Joe and Evan interact with Doug's book as they continue their journey to bring clarity to the question, "What does it mean to be a man?" Have a book suggestion for us? Email evan@xtrainingminist...

We're on a journey to bring clarity to the question: "What does it mean to be a man?" Along the way, we are going to read and interact with a variety of books that attempt to answer this question. First up: The Masculine Mandate by Richard Phillips This book gives us the opportunity to think about God's design for men as outlined in Genesis. We'll talk about bearing God's image, living in covenantal relationships, leadership, cultivating, and protecting. Email your book suggestions t...

During the Christmas season it’s easy to be distracted by busyness. We want to help you to break through the overwhelm of this Christmas season, and set your mind on Christ. Download the hymn and follow along. Looking for a guide to more meditations like this? Check out Hymn Workouts

If you've been a Christian for any length of time, then you've likely attended some sort of conference or retreat. And if you haven't, then you've at least seen them promoted online, in a podcast, or through your local church. These events have become a staple in the modern Christian life. So...what's the big deal?? Is it really worth your time and effort to attend a weekend conference? We think so. In this episode, Joe and Evan discuss the importance of conferences and retreats in the spir...

Men need mentors. Every man has a critical juncture ahead of him in life - leaving home, getting married, having kids, career change, mid-life crisis - where he will need the hard won wisdom of another man who has walked with God through the challenges of life. This episode of the Cross Training podcast is all about helping you see the value of a mentor. Joe and Evan are going to show you the pathway to getting a mentor AND becoming a mentor for someone else. Are you ready to be a mentor? Re...

Most guys want to date their wife, but their calendar is too full, their wallet is too empty, a babysitter is too hard to find, and they’re all out of new ideas. In this episode, Joe and Evan encourage ordinary men to push past these obstacles by focusing on the three essentials for dating your wife: Genuine CuriosityCurated ListPredetermined RhythmsFor a copy of Cross Training's guide to dating your wife, email Evan. evan@xtrainingministries.com

Modern culture is setting men up for burnout. Men are being shaped in a world where achievement is the god, and productivity is the cult. And the expectation to be a disciple-making, family-leading, neighborhood-evangelizing, church volunteer…doesn’t make it any easier. In this episode of the Cross Training Ministries podcast, Joe and Evan walk you through 9 questions that will help you avoid burnout and keep a lifestyle where Christ comes first. Get help at menneedhelp.org

Life Planning is like a stick of dynamite. It's undeniably useful if used in the right way, but horrifically dangerous if played around with hastily. For this reason books by life coaching gurus like Michael Hyatt and David Allen ought to include a warning label. Unless filtered through a spiritual colander they easily lead to an achievement based, self-centered lifestyle. More than one Christian man has left the straight and narrow due to having some life coach affirm the favorite lie of Sat...

Picture a guy wanting a more focused life. He hears a podcast on how to draft a plan for his life, then he sits down with a notebook and pen and begins to attempt to write a vision for himself. He takes inventory of his roles and responsibilities. He budgets his time and creates space for new things. Will this result in focus? Sadly, the answer might be yes. It's entirely possible that this guy will figure out a way to more strategically pursue idol worship - he will be better a...

We're in a series on the Disciplines of a Focused Mind. This week we're covering the fourth discipline: prayer. Prayer ought to focus the mind of a man, but often times prayer is a time when men are most easily distracted. In this episode, Joe and Evan talk about 6 ways to pray that won't lead you to focus, and then they give you 7 elements of prayer that help with focus and alignment.