The New Frontier - Calibration Discussion

These questions help you calibrate your heart to God's truth. Read each one carefully and discuss them together. Try to be personal; use "I" in your answers. Spend as much time as you need on each question. This is meant to be a lengthier discussion together.

Naming Some of Our Sources

If we can name some of our sources, we can begin to answer the question, "Where do I take my questions of identity and manhood?" The people we look up to, the sources they send us to, and how those sources tell us to live are a good place to start. Let's identify the sources we go to every day. You may feel compelled to say the "right" answer. Sure, "Jesus" is a solid answer, and if you take your questions to him without struggle, you are better men than we, but we encourage you to really be honest. Your answers from last month's calibration may be helpful in this process. Maybe spend a few minutes recapping that conversation before you begin the calibration below.

Who is someone you look up to? Someone who you see and think, I want to be just like them someday. (Dad, you go first and answer the question as both 13-year-old you and present-day you.)

a. This person can be anyone. A character from a story, a superhero, an athlete, a filmmaker, a musician, a historical figure, someone in your family, etc.

b. Dad, for present-day you, this may be an "ideal" and not a specific person. Maybe it's financial security, stability in your job, a new endeavor in life, work performance, marriage maintenance, etc. Describe what that looks like.
What do you do differently in your day-to-day due to looking up to the person you named above? Or what plans do you have for the future because you look up to that person? How do they change what you choose to do each day?

a. Example: Because you look up to a musician, you are learning the piano and how to read and write sheet music.
What media do you engage regularly that helps you become the person you look up to? What podcasts, movies, shows, TV, music, books, YouTubers, video games, etc., are you engaging with?
Look at the answers you gave above. The "person you look up to" and the "media you engage in" are "sources" you go to. How you live as a result of those sources is your "direction." The person they help you become is your "destination." What destination are you trying to reach by going to the sources you mentioned above?

a. Example: I am trying to be a successful musician. I want people to know and love my music like people know and love my hero's music.
Why do you think you want to reach that destination? Discuss this together.
What would it look like to pursue that destination by looking to your True Source instead of the person you mentioned above?
Where do you go for help when problems arise in life? Marital? Friends? Family? Sports Teammates? Be specific.