When the Forge Tribe leadership team invited me into their Fire Pit and then invited me to help with the Crucible, I knew I needed it not just for me, but for my family. One of the biggest challenges of my life has been learning to love my wife and raise my kids the way God calls me to. I’ve had enough mentors speak into my life to help me realize that while there are practical TTPs (tactics, techniques and procedures) involved in this, it is not primarily about TTPs. It’s about personal formation - becoming the man who God is calling me to be. If I’m living into that identity, everything else will fall into place. That’s what Forge Tribe and the Crucible is all about. My son will turn 11 this summer. He is growing up in a ruthless and toxically confused cultural concept of masculinity. I am asking God to help me model manhood for him in a way that will shape him forever. That’s one of the reasons I need the Crucible. That’s one of the reasons I desperately need a rule of life. I want him to see me joining with brothers in commitment and truth and a pattern of life defined by the rhythms of God. I want him to see this as normal, not unusual. Thank you all for helping create this community where I can continue learning to do that. Here’s a powerful article that speaks to the challenges we are up against to raising children: https://open.substack.com/pub/charper/p/bihes-and-bros?r=etv4n&utm_medium=ios

Brothers, I’ve been encouraging guys in Forge Tribe to find ways to engage with what they’re learning and share it with others. Not because anyone has it all figured out, but because there’s value in working things out together and letting others see what God is doing in you. @Sean Baker put together a study based on The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, and I just want to acknowledge that. It takes time and effort to sit with something, process it, and then share it with the group. That kind of contribution matters. It builds the culture we’re trying to create here. I’m grateful for it. If you’ve been thinking about doing something similar, this is a good example. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just real. Check it out in the classroom, and, hit him up if you wanna join in. Sean, thanks for putting this together.

When we designed The Crucible inside Forge Tribe, the length was not arbitrary. It comes from a pattern that appears again and again throughout Scripture. In the Bible, 40 days is a period God often uses to test, purify, prepare, and commission His people for what comes next. Before major turning points in God’s story, there is often a 40-day season of pressure, surrender, and transformation. Here are some of the most significant examples: The Flood — Genesis 7:12 Rain fell for 40 days and 40 nights, cleansing the earth before a new beginning with Noah. Noah Waits — Genesis 8:6 After the flood, Noah waited 40 days before opening the ark to see what God had done. Moses on Mount Sinai — Exodus 24:18; 34:28 Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights with God receiving the Law and later interceding for Israel. The Spies in Canaan — Numbers 13:25 Israel explored the Promised Land for 40 days before the nation faced a decision of faith. Goliath’s Challenge — 1 Samuel 17:16 For 40 days, Israel faced the taunts of Goliath before David stepped forward in faith. Elijah’s Journey — 1 Kings 19:8 Elijah traveled 40 days and 40 nights to Mount Horeb, where God renewed his calling. Nineveh’s Warning — Jonah 3:4 Nineveh was given 40 days to repent before judgment. Jesus in the Wilderness — Matthew 4:1–2 Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness before beginning His public ministry. After the Resurrection — Acts 1:3 Jesus spent 40 days teaching His disciples before sending them out to change the world. Across Scripture, the pattern is consistent: 40 days is a season of testing before mission. A season of purification before calling. A season of surrender before leadership. It is the length of time God often uses to reshape hearts before He sends men forward. That is why The Crucible is 40 days. Not as a challenge for the sake of hardship. But as a biblically grounded season of refinement. A time for men to strip away distraction, confront their idols, deepen their dependence on Christ, and emerge ready to live with greater clarity, conviction, and brotherhood.

@Joe Dunphy recently posted an insightful video walking through the disciplines and why they matter. It’s an excellent resource for understanding not just what we are doing in the Crucible, but why we are doing it. If you haven’t watched it yet, I highly recommend it: https://www.skool.com/forgetribe/every-discipline-why-it-matters?p=2ed8735a. I'm posting a document here for those who are curious about the source of these disciplines. @Paul Fowler recently asked a question that really resonated with me. He wasn’t questioning the biblical basis of spiritual discipline. He already understood that. He wanted to know how we landed on these specific ones. Why these practices in particular? Our team at FORGE TRIBE has been shaped by serious theological reflection, and I’m grateful for the insight of dedicated ministers like @Pete Stone and @John Thompson who have helped us think deeply about formation, historic Christian practice, and embodied obedience. This document is an attempt to articulate the biblical, historical, and even neurological foundations of the disciplines. If you’re wired to ask “why,” this is for you. It’s not written as an authority piece and it is certainly not comprehensive. It is a starting point. A framework to spark deeper study and prayerful reflection. The disciplines are tools. The real work happens in prayer and brotherhood. But it’s natural that when we talk about the CRUCIBLE, the disciplines become the visible focus. This background can serve as a springboard for conversation in your weekly team meetings. If a particular discipline feels unclear, challenging, or even unnecessary, use this as a starting point to wrestle with it together. This won’t resonate with everyone, and that’s okay. But for men who are thoughtful, skeptical, or simply hungry for depth, this may help clarify the foundation beneath what we’re doing.

Here we go!