Dean Briggs - Brave Quest: A Boys Interactive Journey Into Manhood

Its often said that there is a boy in every man. The older I get, the more I understand this. As a father to seven adult sons, I am also convinced of the reverse: There is a man in every boy . Though we tend to view the difference as a natural function of time, this is only partially true. Far better that the man in the boy be called forth.

Dad, who is your son?

Let me state here, for the record, that stepdads are also every bit the father their sons need. I have four biological sons and three stepsons. I invested my heart and love equally in all of them in this processthey are all my sons. Older men can also have spiritual sons they mentor, and their influence can be just as powerful as that of a biological father.

So ponder this again: Who is your son? For just a moment, dont picture the acorn of his young life. Instead, envision the oak tree. See your son as a faithful husband. See him as a father or (gulp!) a grandfather someday. Even now, he is a president, an astronaut, a doctor, a writer, a missionary, an athletewaiting for his moment. He is a force for good in the world. Its all there, waiting for you to recognize, cultivate, extract, and affirm. Before he becomes a man, you must see that he is a man, longing to become.

The Brave Quest book you hold is only one part of a full Brave Quest Rite of Passage I recommend for maximum impact. Dont worry, Ill spell it out, covering all aspects of planning this defining moment in your sons life. The main point is this: Dont get caught flat-footed as your son comes of age. To make this experience as rich and impactful as possible, I have included a short, informative Fathers Field Manual on my website, deanbriggs.com. If you are a sports fan, you may prefer to think of it as a playbook.

Regardless, after purchasing Brave Quest for your son (the book you now hold in your hands), you will need to get to work. Fathering is a contact sport. Dont pass it off to your wife, a pastor, or another person, and dont treat it lightly. Invest in it with prayer. Invest emotion, love, and extra time. Dont skimpgo overboard. Otherwise, youre missing the point. While the various components are important, they are only as important as your son perceives them to be to you . He has to see you deeply involved, encouraging him on. In that light, dont use money as an excuse. A meaningful coming-of-age doesnt have to cost a lot of money, and even the most expensive celebration can be made cheap if your heart isnt in it. If you dont have an extravagant wallet, at least have an extravagant spirit. Let your son see your excitement, as your words and actions communicate value to him far more than money ever could .

You are in the drivers seat, but Im here to help. Go download the free Fathers Field Manual. It will be your reference guide, while your son has the book. Though Brave Quest is an important part of the process, I encourage you not to make it the centerpiece. The centerpiece is your engagement with your son. With simple, direct guidance, Ill help you plan and execute a dynamic rite-of-passage experience that includes fifty days of story-based adventure for your son ( Brave Quest ) as preparation for a dynamic, memory-making My Dad and Me Adventure Getaway, finally concluding with the truly impacting Gathering of Men Ceremony.

Dont worry, its not long and includes many help tools, such as timelines, suggestions, sample itineraries and activities, downloadable assets that you can customize, et cetera. Im going to equip you with the right perspective and necessary tools to usher your son into manhood.

Just remember, you have a brief, intense window to mancraft your son. You will

1. summon him,
2. prepare him, and
3. commission him.

The dark days ahead will require strong men of character and confidence. If God has given you a son, it means He has entrusted you with the next generation of leadership. What a privilege! Lets make the most of it.

Visit deanbriggs.com and download for free the Fathers Field Manual.