Ryan Reeves - Understanding Spiritual Fathers, Ep #007

Spiritual Fathers

Have you experienced the transformative power of mentorship and spiritual fathering? In this conversation, Ryan Reeves opens up about his journey from a rebellious youth to an engaged spiritual mentor.

He shares the challenges he faced in finding meaningful mentorship and how this lack of guidance in his personal life motivated him to demystify the mentorship process and encourage older men to share their life experiences authentically with the younger generation.

Authenticity plays a huge role in effective mentorship. This episode explains why younger men value hearing about genuine struggles—over the illusion of perfection—and the barriers older men often face in becoming spiritual fathers.

With practical advice and heartfelt anecdotes, this episode offers a compelling look at how building authentic, relational connections can profoundly impact both mentors and mentees. Whether you're a seasoned mentor or someone seeking guidance, this episode is sure to inspire you.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• Ryan’s story about the challenges of finding a mentor [06:02]
• Demystifying relationships and building connections through shared activities [11:15]
• Why older men have concerns about spiritual mentorship [15:33]
• Move from passivity to actively pursuing mentorship relationships [18:11]
• Helping younger men grow despite barriers [22:46]
• Older generations should be open about mistakes [23:37]
• Prioritize connection over busyness for spiritual growth [30:15]
• Best spiritual advice Ryan has ever been given [32:09]
• Ryan’s book recommendations [34:01]

Embracing Authenticity in Mentorship

Ryan candidly shares his experiences with the lack of consistent spiritual mentoring during his formative years. He repeatedly looked for guidance but often found himself navigating these paths alone. Ryan’s quest for a mentor was about spiritual guidance and personal growth in areas like marriage and fatherhood. His struggles underscore a genuine need for reliable, authentic mentors who can guide younger men.

A recurring theme in our conversation is the importance of authenticity in mentorship. Ryan and I discuss why older men’s past mistakes make them uniquely equipped to mentor younger men.

Authenticity is far more impactful than striving for an illusion of perfection. Some of the most significant barriers to becoming an effective mentor include not knowing many young men, time constraints, and feeling unqualified due to past mistakes.

Ryan stresses that these barriers can be overcome by embracing authenticity and being open about one’s struggles and lessons learned. Sharing real-life experiences, including failures, builds relatability and trust, making the mentoring relationship more impactful.

Fostering Meaningful Connections

Men can often get stuck on the practical aspects of forming meaningful connections. Ryan suggests starting small and progressing naturally, similar to how you would build up your fitness through consistent, manageable efforts. Making connections with younger men based on common interests and actively engaging in relationships can hugely enhance the mentor-mentee dynamic.

Older mentors can build deeper, more impactful relationships when they focus on listening and simply being available for conversations. This genuine engagement helps mentees feel seen and heard, which in itself can be incredibly empowering and supportive.

The Best Spiritual Advice Ryan Was Ever Given

Listening rather than offering solutions is a key part of being a great mentor. Ryan illustrates this importance by sharing an instance where an associate pastor advised against the idea of excessive spiritual busyness, which often masks a lack of true relational connections.

Ryan explains how this approach respects the Biblical principle of "one day in seven" for worship and rest, encouraging mentors to prioritize personal connection over overwhelming busyness. Being present and making time for meaningful interactions can have a more profound impact on spiritual growth than simply providing solutions or adding more tasks.

When you prioritize relationships over external factors, you grow into your spiritual fatherhood. What starts as a spiritual friendship can develop over time into a deeper, more meaningful connection. The essence of mentorship is embracing authenticity, fostering genuine connections, and supporting younger men through life’s myriad challenges.

Resources & People Mentioned

• Know How We Got Our Bible by Ryan Reeves
• The Story of Creeds and Confessions: Tracing the Development of the Christian Faith by Donald Fairbairn and Ryan Reeves
• The Spiritual Fathers Training Guidebook by Ryan Reeves
• The Bible: A Global History by Bruce Gordon

Connect with Ryan Reeves

• Follow on YouTube

Connect With Spiritual Fathers

• The Spiritual Fathers website
• SpiritualFathers(at)ManInTheMirror.com

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