The Power of Brotherhood: Building Strong Bonds in Family and Faith (EP 279)

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Are you looking for practical ways to strengthen your relationships with your brothers or Christian brothers?
Wondering how to build a meaningful support system as a man of faith?
Curious about how brotherhood and accountability can elevate your leadership at home and in your community?

Welcome to this episode of the MOI Podcast, where Colton and Josh dive deep into the overlooked but critical role of brotherhood in men's lives. Discover how real-life experiences with biological brothers, spiritual brothers, and small group connections can help men grow as leaders, husbands, and fathers. Learn why building strong bonds with other men—even beyond your family—is essential for encouragement, accountability, and walking out your Christian faith with confidence. Whether you have a biological brother or not, this episode shows you how to surround yourself with a band of brothers who will stand with you through life's highs and lows. Plus, get tips on how to plug into supportive communities, such as Men of Iron small groups, to cultivate the brotherhood you need to thrive.

Don't miss out on resources and actionable steps for creating genuine connections and leading your family well!

#ChristianMen #Brotherhood #LeadershipDevelopment #FaithAndFamily #MensMinistry #MenofIron #AccountabilityForMen

Transcript

Colton Herb [00:00:00]:
The conversation has changed. Instead of, hey, do you want to play Call of Duty? Like, hey, I'm going through something. Welcome back to the Men of Iron podcast. This month, we are talking about family, and something that's super important in family that I think sometimes gets overlooked is brothers. You know, we don't think them as leaders. We don't think that. We just think they're my. That's my brother. Like, but there's an importance in that. And then also just, you know, family, brothers, but also other brothers in Christ that are in the church. So Josh is with me today. We're going to dive into that and just talk a little bit. So let's kind of first start with us, like, do you have brothers? And, like, what did that look like growing up for you?

Josh [00:00:38]:
Yeah, so I have two brothers. My oldest brother is three and a half years older, so kind of. He went to the Air Force Academy right out of high school, so really was just gone, you know, up until ninth grade, he was there, and then he was just gone in the military. And then I have an identical twin brother, so that's like a whole nother level of brotherhood. But, yeah, so no sisters. So that's all I know.

Colton Herb [00:01:02]:
So for me, I have. I have a younger brother. I have an older sister. And for me, growing up, like, probably when I was younger, he was like my little punching bag. We used to wrestle and just go at it all the time. That's where he kind of fits in. But now he's definitely matured. He's a husband now, and he leads a household, so it's been very interesting to see. And even, like, sometimes when we talk, you know, it's conversations changed instead of, hey, do you want to play Call of Duty? Like, hey, I'm going through something.

Josh [00:01:28]:
Yeah.

Colton Herb [00:01:29]:
And I think, like, to have those brothers in our lives is super important. So let's, like, talk about those brothers that are close to us. Was there ever a time that they had to, like, they were going through something and they called on, like, their actual, like, brother in their life to be like, hey, like, I need help?

Josh [00:01:45]:
Yeah, I think that's definitely been my experience that maybe not day to day and maybe not every week, but when something important is comes up, that my brothers are there for me and I'm there for them. And I think specifically, you know, health challenges with our children, just times where you really need to lean in on someone that's. I know I can count on my brothers for that, and they know they can count on me for that. So it's just a really important relationship, but, like you said, kind of gets overlooked. And I think probably because a lot of guys don't like drama or they just want to. Don't want to talk about stuff. And so sometimes that relationship, though, really important. Sometimes we. We don't tell our brothers how we feel about them, but we. But we know we can rely on them.

Colton Herb [00:02:39]:
Yeah. I think that's something that. To, like, that point that gets overlooked. Like, I think, like, if I had to really think about it, like, my brother's probably someone I'm super close with.

Colton Herb [00:02:48]:
Yeah.

Colton Herb [00:02:48]:
And I. He would be someone that I would call if I need something. Even from the simple stuff, like, hey, my car broke down.

Colton Herb [00:02:53]:
Yeah.

Colton Herb [00:02:53]:
Like, can you come help me? Or can you work. Help me work on this?

Colton Herb [00:02:56]:
Yeah.

Colton Herb [00:02:56]:
Or whatever. But also the other things as well. When you get that tough phone call that you weren't expecting.

Colton Herb [00:03:01]:
Yeah.

Colton Herb [00:03:01]:
Of something's going on in their life, and it's not about sports or how they're. How the team's doing. It's like, hey, I'm. I'm struggling.

Colton Herb [00:03:07]:
Yeah.

Colton Herb [00:03:07]:
And to have that kind of. I mean, framework to have that foundation that they can go to someone in. In their family, really, and talk to. There was a situation recently with me and my brother. We probably talk. Not every day, but we're pretty close. And when it goes for a long stint without talking with him, it's like, what's going on?

Colton Herb [00:03:26]:
Yeah.

Colton Herb [00:03:26]:
Like, what's up? Is some. You okay? Everything okay? And sometimes it's fine, but sometimes it's like, yeah, I am going through this something, or we're working through something, or if there's a situation with our, like, friends that we're connected to.

Colton Herb [00:03:37]:
Yeah.

Colton Herb [00:03:38]:
We have a friend right now who's battling cancer in Washington state, and we're. We're walking, kind of walking through that together. Like, he's a really close friend of ours, and he's battling this, battling cancer, and be able to just kind of talk through and, like, be able to be like, yeah, it does suck. And just to have someone there, I think, is super important.

Colton Herb [00:03:54]:
Yeah.

Josh [00:03:54]:
And I think there's seasons, right. When you really lean into your brothers and lat relationship, and there's seasons where, you know, life's happening, things are going well. I think one of the great things about having a brother is it's not all the maintenance that friends, like a normal friend would be. You have something that connects you, and that makes that. That relationship really special. So I think that's. That's One of the cool aspects is when they're. They're there for seasons, even biblically, like, a brother's there for adversity, for those times when, man, when it's tough, you know that you have somebody in your corner.

Colton Herb [00:04:28]:
And when you think of, like, not everyone, maybe not, doesn't have a brother.

Colton Herb [00:04:31]:
Y.

Colton Herb [00:04:32]:
Right. I think that even for my. Like, I'm. I'm fortunate. I think that I do have one.

Colton Herb [00:04:35]:
Yeah.

Colton Herb [00:04:36]:
And even an older sister. Like, I think I. I have best of both worlds, kind of, in a way. But when you don't have those brothers and there's people listening, maybe don't have a brother to go to, what are some things? And we can just chop up on it. Like, what are some things? Like, if I don't have a brother, how do I get brothers around me? Maybe it's actually body members or people in the church or my small group. Like, what does that look like?

Colton Herb [00:04:59]:
Yeah.

Josh [00:04:59]:
So I think that's one of the great things. Brotherhood is deeply rooted in the Bible. It's this theme, and even to the point where biblical or Christian brotherhood is even stronger than biological brotherhood. So, I mean, that's the great news is if you don't have a biological brother, you can have a biblical. A Christian brother that's stronger than a biological brother. And if you have a biological brother, man, it can be both.

Colton Herb [00:05:24]:
Yeah.

Josh [00:05:25]:
Um, so I think that's a thing like, the Lord puts other men around us that we're called to be brothers with. And like, man, if we share the same faith, we're brothers.

Colton Herb [00:05:37]:
Yeah.

Josh [00:05:37]:
And. And that's the strength, and that's the man. There's just. It's one of the awesome things about the Christian faith is that we don't do it alone.

Colton Herb [00:05:47]:
I think the. The being a part of Men of Iron, I'm going on a year now, and being part of some of these small groups, it actually creates that brotherhood kind of naturally. And we were talking with Andy today from LCBC City, and he was like, these guys now are so connected from the stuff that the different small groups that they've been a part of that, where one guy was. He was telling a story about. One guy was just in an accident, and now they're. Everyone's calling him, texting, texting the guy, making sure he's okay. All these things actually creates that. And I think that's like an encouragement to guys. Like, maybe you can't. You don't have brothers, or you don't have that guy. You can pick the phone up.

Colton Herb [00:06:22]:
To.

Colton Herb [00:06:22]:
And maybe that's a mentor. But sometimes we need more than maybe the mentor. You want to put a group of guys around us. Sure. That are a couple seasons ahead. I have a couple guys that I can definitely count on one hand that's going to pick the phone up if I call y. And thinking through like we need. We need brothers around us consistently. And it may. And it may not be always for, for like when it's always tragic. Maybe it's sometimes when it's great to celebrate. You know, maybe it's times when, you know, things maybe aren't going so great. But to think through, like I have those guys around me to create that brotherhood so I can continue on in my faith. Because we can. It can be very hard.

Colton Herb [00:06:55]:
Yeah.

Colton Herb [00:06:56]:
It's not always easy. Our walk with God is not always easy. But to have guys in our lives that can speak into it and encourage us is so important.

Colton Herb [00:07:02]:
Yeah.

Josh [00:07:03]:
For sure. And I think that's one thing we see when we're, you know, we're out talking to guys a lot is we see there's a lot of guys out there that don't have any brothers, even non biological brothers. And that's not good. And that's why we're so passionate about men of iron and getting into the weeds with guys like the core five. Because we, we know when we do that we develop those bonds. We develop those bonds of brotherhood and that those are. It's not just a program. It's a lifestyle of doing life with other men. And just like our theme verse, you know, other men sharpen us.

Colton Herb [00:07:37]:
Yeah.

Josh [00:07:38]:
So.

Colton Herb [00:07:38]:
And I think what's cool too is like that there's always the encouragement side. But then I think the flip side of it is also keeping you accountable. Yeah. Like, so whether it's the guys in the group with you, whether it's guys in the church, like I, I can. I know for a season in my life, like I wasn't going to church regularly.

Colton Herb [00:07:53]:
Yeah.

Colton Herb [00:07:54]:
And guys started to call me out and I. You could get offended by that.

Colton Herb [00:07:58]:
Yeah.

Colton Herb [00:07:58]:
Like it's on your business what I'm like what I'm doing.

Colton Herb [00:08:00]:
Yeah.

Colton Herb [00:08:00]:
But it wasn't. They weren't coming from the angle of where are you? It's actually they care so much. It's like we want the best for you and we know this is good for you to be here.

Colton Herb [00:08:09]:
Yeah.

Colton Herb [00:08:09]:
So where are you? So I think like accountability. So we could like talk into that a little bit. Like why accountability for. From brothers is so good. And sometimes it's received better.

Colton Herb [00:08:17]:
Yeah.

Colton Herb [00:08:18]:
Than hearing it from mom or dad or even from a biological brother or your wife. Yeah. Because you're. You're just my brother.

Josh [00:08:24]:
Like, you don't.

Colton Herb [00:08:24]:
You don't get. Like, maybe you don't get it or you're not going through what I'm going through. But when I. When you have about two or three other guys saying where you been?

Colton Herb [00:08:31]:
Yeah.

Colton Herb [00:08:31]:
Might want to. Might raise a red flag for you.

Colton Herb [00:08:33]:
Yeah.

Josh [00:08:34]:
And I think that's why it's so important that you have brothers in your life, because brothers have a little more latitude to call you out and just to speak truth. And you need those people in your life that can do that. And so that's. Man, brothers are so important when it comes to developing a godly life. And just that whole sanctification process, brothers play a huge role in that. And that's why. And even biblically, our role for other brothers is like, man, if you can turn a brother back to the faith, it says you. It overcomes a multitude of sins. Like, that's powerful. Like, so this is a really important role. It's one of the roles that God gives us is to be a good brother, not just to receive, but to. To like, be on the giving part of that. Like, man, that's just so important.

Colton Herb [00:09:23]:
I think the piece that always takes me back to when I think of brotherhood and just think of this topic of brothers is like, always, like sports. Like, you go, like when you're playing foot like football. That was an example for me. Like, coach going through summer practice or 2A days and having guys there that are like, come on, get up. Yeah, like, come on, keep going, Keep going. There. There's light at the end of the tunnel. You're gonna make it. And to have that encouragement and also holding you accountable, like, you need to complete that drill. I can relate it. Barry and I know guys can, you know, put it to sports very easily. And I'm sure, like, even throughout your time with wrestling.

Colton Herb [00:09:53]:
Yeah.

Colton Herb [00:09:54]:
Like, that could be something as well.

Josh [00:09:55]:
Yeah, for sure. I think, man, we all have our own individual drive, but there's just something about doing it with another guy. That brotherhood in a community sense that you can go. You know what? I don't even know what the marine logo of. Like, you can go so far by yourself, but you go much further as together. What the splice in the actual. Right comment. But that's so true. Like, you can go a certain amount of distance on your own. If you want to go fast, go by yourself. Want to Go far, go on your own, go with. Go with others. And I think that's brotherhood. Right. Sometimes we're tempted just to go fast, but, man, to bring a group of brothers around you, man, that's how you're going to go far.

Colton Herb [00:10:39]:
Yeah.

Colton Herb [00:10:39]:
And I think something for guys is we always go with that, you know, lone wolf mentality. I can do it myself. To your exact point. Like, I can do it myself. I can figure it out. And it only goes so far to help to push you over those hills. And I think, like, with those. With the stuff from Men of Iron, but for whatever you're using for a small group or having a mentor, having guys speak into your life, keep them there.

Colton Herb [00:11:00]:
Yeah.

Colton Herb [00:11:00]:
Like, even there. And if you don't have them, find them.

Colton Herb [00:11:02]:
Yeah.

Colton Herb [00:11:02]:
And we were talking this morning on that very specific thing and thinking through, like, guys want to be asked.

Colton Herb [00:11:09]:
Yeah.

Colton Herb [00:11:10]:
Like, there's a lot of guys that, like, if you actually said, hey, can you help me with this? They're very quickly to say, yeah, absolutely, I will be there. I can help you. I can do that.

Colton Herb [00:11:18]:
Yeah.

Colton Herb [00:11:18]:
And to have them in your life is so crucial.

Colton Herb [00:11:20]:
Yeah.

Josh [00:11:21]:
And I think what we run across is guys are like, hey, my wife's my best friend, and that's great, but you need brothers.

Colton Herb [00:11:27]:
Yeah.

Josh [00:11:28]:
You know, you need those other guys in your life, and it's not good to not have guys. You can rely on brothers in your life whenever.

Colton Herb [00:11:37]:
Just to wrap up this thought on brothers, and whether you have a brother biologically, whether you have brothers in the church, that or you don't have any at all. I think taking those as a threefold thing and looking at that and really evaluating who they are is super important. And making sure you have guys for the seasons of your life. And yes, we. We preach all day long, strong 27. Get that mentor, have that guy. But sometimes we just need those other. Other dudes around us because when we're going through certain things, maybe your mentor can't actually speak into that as well as you need for that moment or that specific thing, but my brothers can. And to have them to back you up in the thick and the thin and to be able to know I have those guys with me. Yeah. It's so important. Well, thanks so much for joining us for the Men of Iron podcast. This month. We're going to continue to jump into family and the importance that from spiritual leaders to fathers, husbands. Also, too, down in the description, there's a bunch of links to help you with if you're looking for devotional base camp resources that we have. Or if you want to be a part of a small group or start one up yourself, we have those there as well. Looking forward to seeing you guys next week here on the Men of Iron Podcast.

Colton Herb [00:12:43]:
Thanks for listening to the Men of Iron Podcast. Be sure to like subscribe and share At Menaviron, we exist to change a culture one man at a time, and we'd love to have you partner with us. So go to menaviron. Org to see how you can get involved or donate at menoviron. Org. Donate.