Killing Lions

Every young man faces trials—questions about identity, calling, relationships, purpose, and strength.

Killing Lions is an honest, raw conversation between father and son, rooted in Scripture and personal experience. Through a series of real-life letters and reflections, John and Sam Eldredge invite readers into a journey of becoming the man God created them to be.

Whether you're stepping into adulthood or mentoring someone who is, this book offers wisdom that is hard-won and spiritually grounded—an invitation to receive fathering or give it well.

Why this book matters

Too many young men are left to navigate the challenges of adulthood on their own—with no clear guidance, no rites of passage, and few trusted voices.

Killing Lions fills that gap with a courageous and compassionate father-son dialogue that speaks directly to the heart of becoming a man.

This book helps readers:

• Confront the fears and uncertainties of adulthood

• Gain clarity about relationships, calling, and strength

• Learn the spiritual and emotional lessons every man must face

• Feel seen, understood, and invited into growth

• Receive the kind of fathering every heart longs for

These themes are often echoed in the Wild at Heart Retreat] and other books and video series on our Wild at Heart website.

What you’ll discover in Killing Lions

• Facing life’s essential questions – From “What am I supposed to do with my life?” to “Why does love feel so risky?”

• The path to becoming a man – What it looks like to move from uncertainty to courage, guided by wisdom and grace.

• Vulnerability as strength – A fresh take on masculinity rooted in emotional honesty and spiritual grounding.

• The power of fatherhood and mentorship – How to receive guidance and become a guide for others.

Who should read this book?

This book is for:

• Young men stepping into adulthood or struggling with purpose

• Fathers, mentors, and leaders who want to guide the next generation

• Sons who never received intentional fathering and seek healing

• Men who want to pass on a legacy of wisdom and courage

For women seeking to better understand the masculine journey, consider Wild at Heart and Captivating.

Killing Lions as a group study for churches & small groups

Killing Lions is a powerful resource for men's ministries, college groups, and mentoring programs.

Its conversational tone and structured topics make it a natural fit for weekly discussions or one-on-one discipleship.

Why use this for a church or group study?

• Provides a vulnerable, relatable model of spiritual fathering

• Promotes deep discussions on identity, calling, and manhood

• Encourages intergenerational connection and wisdom sharing

• Includes discussion points and reflection questions throughout

For a deeper group experience, pair this book with Killing Lions Campfire Video Series or Wild at Heart: The Series as complementary material.

The origin of Killing Lions

The title comes from an African rite of passage, where a young man must kill a lion to prove he’s ready to become a warrior.

In writing this book, Sam Eldredge found himself asking questions that every young man wrestles with—and his father, John, responded with letters full of truth, love, and clarity.

Their dialogue became a roadmap for other sons and fathers walking the same road.

Extending the Wild at Heart Message to the Next Generation

Killing Lions reinforces Wild at Heart’s mission to call men into strength, purpose, and restoration.

It brings generational healing into focus—offering not just a message for sons, but for fathers who want to rise into their sacred role.
For further exploration, consider the Fathered by God series, and the Wild at Heart Boot Retreat.