Many men have heart problems of a spiritual nature. In some cases, it’s slow-progressing disease, while for others, the need for heart surgery is urgent. In my 20s, I was one of these men who desperately needed the core affections of his heart changed.

As I reflect on the past two months of launching the beta test for Spiritual Fathers, what I’ve observed has me dreaming about what God is going to do through Christian men who are boldly growing in awareness, ownership, and hope—and how it impacts us all.

We don’t often talk about setting boundaries in discipleship relationships. At first glance, the concept may seem foreign or even uncharitable. But if we want to build meaningful relationships that last and bear fruit, good boundaries are essential.

It’s not a sign of weakness for men to long for praise. As Pat Morley says, “Encouragement is food for the heart, and every heart is a hungry heart.” If you’re discipling another man, here are three specific ways you can encourage him spiritually.