Are You Ready for the 10 Tests That Make or Break a Man? (Part 1)

Every man wants the crown. Few can survive the cave.

In this first part of a two-part series on The Patriarchy Podcast, Pastor Joseph Spurgeon sits down with Pastor Jake Mentzel of Christ the King Church (Evansville, IN) to walk through the first five of “The 10 Tests That Make or Break a Man.”

From David’s lonely nights in the wilderness to his battles with lions, giants, betrayal, and pride, these are the trials God uses to forge true kings—men who fight, lead, and refuse to quit.

If you’ve ever felt like God’s hiding you, humbling you, or hammering you into shape, this episode will hit home. These aren’t just Sunday-school stories. They’re the blueprint for manhood forged in fire.

Topics Covered

✅ The Test of Calling – Learning to be faithful when no one sees you
✅ The Test of Courage – Facing giants when everyone else hides
✅ The Test of Brotherhood – Building real friendships through shared battle
✅ The Test of Honor – Refusing to take shortcuts when you could
✅ The Test of the Wilderness – Learning leadership through suffering

Chapters

00:00 – Cold Open: Every Man Wants the Crown
02:17 – Psalm 144 and the Call to Arms
04:30 – Introducing Pastor Jake Mentzel
05:20 – Why Men’s Ministry Must Be the Engine of the Church
07:45 – The First Test: Calling and Obscurity
13:10 – How God Shapes Men in the Dark
17:45 – The Pain That Builds Leadership
19:20 – The Second Test: Courage and the Cost of Cowardice
23:40 – What Drives Real Courage—Faith and Love
26:00 – Why Martyrs Call Us to Action
28:00 – The Third Test: Brotherhood and Battle-Tested Friendship
32:00 – How Men Bond Shoulder to Shoulder
36:30 – Practical Ways to Build Brotherhood Today
38:10 – The Fourth Test: Honor and Refusing Shortcuts
40:20 – David in the Cave: Choosing God Over the Easy Way
43:45 – How Honor Protects Your Legacy
46:00 – Final Reflections: The Pain That Makes a King
49:30 – Closing Challenge: Build, Fight, Protect, Lead

Support the Mission
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Connect with our Guest:

Jake Mentzel  https://www.facebook.com/jacobmentzel
                       https://x.com/jacobmentzel

Church of the King (Evansville) https://cotkevansville.com/

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Sponsored By:

Steadfast Cigars – For men who reject passivity and take dominion
Order now: https://steadfastcigars.com/

Fit Father Project – Reclaim discipline and strength for life
Start here: https://secure.fitfatherproject.com/a/transformation/4539

Books by Joseph Spurgeon:
It’s Good to Be a Boy – https://a.co/d/7zpEh5D
It’s Good to Be a Girl – https://a.co/d/6VlBTzS

Be strong in your body, mind, and heart—for the glory of the Lord, the love of neighbor, and the blessing of your posterity.

Build. Fight. Protect. Lead. This is The Patriarchy.

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