Show Notes
Are You Sure You're Saved? Ask Yourself This. If you died tonight, how confident are you that you'd spend eternity with Jesus? A five? A seven? A ten? For many Christian men, that question brings up more anxiety than confidence. We believe in Jesus, but we still struggle with doubt, repeat the same sins, and wonder whether we're doing enough to be saved. In this episode of Dad Tired, guest host Pastor Chris Hilken of College Ave Church in San Diego tackles one of the most important questions of the Christian faith: How can I know if I'm really saved?
Drawing from 1 John, Romans, and the Gospels, Chris challenges the questions we often ask ourselves about salvation and points us back to the finished work of Jesus. You'll hear why: Having doubts doesn't automatically mean you lack genuine faith. Your salvation isn't earned by being a good enough Christian. Confession, repentance, and a growing desire to obey God matter. Your calendar, priorities, and relationships can reveal what you truly love. Confidence in salvation comes from trusting Jesus, not trusting yourself. Whether you've followed Jesus for decades or you're quietly wrestling with where you stand with God, this conversation is an invitation to examine your heart without losing sight of God's grace. You don't have to put your confidence in your performance when you can put your confidence in Christ.
More from Dad Tired
What do you do when you want to lead your family toward Jesus, but your own failures make you feel like a hypocrite? Jerrad sits down with pastor, author, and Family Discipleship Podcast host Adam Griffin to talk about fatherhood, spiritual leadership, and learning to start again. They discuss the dad who loses his temper in the morning and feels unqualified to pray with his kids at night, why repentance belongs in family discipleship, and how to keep showing up when growth feels painfully slow. There’s also plenty of laughter, a last-minute father-daughter concert, and a reminder that God’s goodness doesn’t change with the way he answers our prayers. If you’ve wondered whether you’re doing enough—or whether you’ve messed up too much to lead—this conversation offers encouragement and a next step. Resources: Adam’s books and Family Discipleship resources Our Family Devotional Share this episode with a dad who needs encouragement to start again.
Important Links: Host A Dad Tired Conference at your church Join the FREE Family Leadership Program Shop the Dad Tired store for best-selling gear You want your wife and kids to grow closer to Jesus. But what happens when you don’t feel close to him yourself?
Important Links: Host A Dad Tired Conference at your church Join the FREE Family Leadership Program Shop the Dad Tired store for best-selling gear You love your kids. But when they’re struggling, it’s hard to know what to do. Come down harder? Give them space? Make another rule? In this honest ramble, Jerrad shares what he’s learning while navigating a challenging season of parenting four kids. From praying with his wife to laughing over Mario Kart, he explores what it looks like to move toward your kids relationally while still addressing the things that need correction. We talk about: • Why feeling out of control can lead to heavy-handed parenting • Paying attention to what each child needs • Making prayer your first response • How your phone can pull you away from the family you want to be present with • Receiving God’s love and forgiveness as you learn to reflect his heart to your kids
Important Links: Host A Dad Tired Conference at your church Learn more about Adventures in Missions Join the FREE Family Leadership Program Shop the Dad Tired store for best-selling gear Does your family know what to expect when you walk through the door—or do they have to figure out which version of you showed up? After a stomach bug leaves Jerrad and his son stranded at a Mississippi airport, an unexpected road trip sparks a conversation about protecting your family, showing up with intention, and becoming a consistent man. In this honest, back-to-the-basics episode, Jerrad shares what he’s learning about the pressure to look impressive, resting in being known and loved by God, and processing big emotions without taking your wife and kids on a roller coaster. Plus, a look ahead at the upcoming Dad Tired family mission trip to Guatemala. An encouragement for the dad who’s still stumbling toward Jesus—and wants to help his family do the same.
Important Links: Host A Dad Tired Conference at your church Join the FREE Family Leadership Program Shop the Dad Tired store for best-selling gear What are you carrying that you’ve quietly decided to take to the grave? Maybe it’s sin. Maybe it’s shame, pain, resentment, addiction, or something that happened to you. You’ve convinced yourself that keeping it hidden protects the people you love—but hidden pain never stays contained. Eventually, it leaks into your marriage, your parenting, and the way you see yourself. In this deeply personal episode, Jerrad shares stories of men who risked being fully known, his own experience of God redeeming an old wound, and why the Lord lovingly reaches into every hidden nook and cranny of our lives. This isn’t a call to recklessly confess everything without wisdom. It’s an invitation to stop carrying it alone. Find a trusted counselor, pastor, or mature brother in Christ who can walk with you toward healing. You are already fully known by God—and fully loved.