Raising Godly Boys Minute

A deck of cards could teach your son an important lesson. Remember the card games you played growing up? Go fish, hearts, nerts, or spades? Search the internet if you need a refresher on the rules, make your son’s favorite snack, and find some decks of cards. It’s time for a family game night. As you play with your son, you will teach him several important lessons. He will learn to listen and foll...

What’s the most important question you’ve ever asked or been asked? Will you marry me? Did I get the job? Is the cancer in remission? While these are all important questions, life’s most important question is found in the Bible in Matthew 16:15-16 when Jesus asked Simon Peter, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” and Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” What some...

Did your parents ever say, “This is going to hurt me more than you.” This saying reminds me of Hebrews 12:11. “No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.” When God disciplines his children (believers), he does so out of love. “The Lord disciplines the one he loves, just as a father,...

How many weeks will you have with your child before they become a legal adult? There are approximately 936 weeks from the day your child is born until he graduates from high school, and the weeks move quickly. You need to make the most of the time you have with your child. Parenting is a never-ending process, but the developmental years are crucial. I recommend that you fill a jar with marbles — o...

It’s been said that unforgiveness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. When we choose not to forgive, it hurts us, not just the person who has hurt us. Jesus said a lot about forgiveness in the Bible. He taught, “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you.” When Peter asked Jesus how often it is necessary to forgive, he replied, “S...

This Mother’s Day, minister to a single mom of a son. Every single mom is a hero. And single moms who have boys? They should wear capes. Raising a boy– who needs a ton of exercise, outdoor activity, focused attention, and healthy risk taking– is a joy, but can be exhausting. If you don’t know a single mom, ask a local church about their single moms ministry– they will be able to give you some name...

What’s the first thing you do when you or your child is struggling with something? Is it to pray? Prayer should be our first response, not our last resort. There is power in prayer. Stormie Omartian (stor·mee ow·maar·tee·uhn) writes this in her book The Power of a Praying Parent: “When we pray, we bring that power to bear upon everything we are praying about, and we allow the power of God to work...

When it comes to toilet paper placement, do you prefer the paper to flow over or under the roll? Well, according to recent surveys, around 70% of Americans prefer the toilet paper to roll over the top. This may not seem like a big deal, but for some people, toilet paper placement causes controversy, chaos, and conflict. We laugh at such pettiness, but the truth is we often major on the minor thing...

If you don’t give your son a challenge, he will challenge you. Julie was frustrated that her teenage son, Tyler, wouldn’t help with any chores around the house. But when Tyler’s dad asked him to repair the fence in the backyard, Tyler jumped at the opportunity. Why? Boys are uniquely wired to crave adventure. So much so that they often lose motivation when things are too easy or simple. This is wh...

Have you watched the track and field events at the Summer Olympic Games? The training that goes into running a marathon is much different than what a runner needs to do to prepare for a 100-yard dash.  Raising godly boys is more like a marathon than a sprint. Parenting is a lifelong process filled with seemingly insignificant moments. We must take advantage of every opportunity God gives us, wheth...

Is social media hurting your son’s self-esteem? Social networks often create unreasonable expectations of what a man is. And because of that, boys may look at their flaws and failures and think that they’re not good enough.   As a dad, remind your son that even great men from the Bible experienced physical and spiritual weaknesses. Moses stuttered. Jacob was a cheater. Elijah wrestled with depress...

No one wants to think about death, but if you’re a Christian, you know that Christ has conquered the grave. Still, at some point, physical death will separate us from our loved ones. The question is: What kind of legacy will you leave behind. How will your children remember you? Billy Graham, one of the most widely known evangelists of the 20th century, said, “The greatest legacy one can pass on t...

Have you ever asked yourself, “What does God want my son to see that he is not seeing, and how can I help him see it?” Because sin is deceptive, it can blind your son to the sin in his own heart. Let’s look for chances to be a tool to help him see it. When you help him see what motivates his desires and actions, you are doing what God has called you to do as a parent. Parenting is not about gettin...

Have you ever found something you thought you had lost forever? How did it feel? Imagine completing a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle, except for one missing piece. You could look everywhere until you give up hope of ever finding the piece, only to have it turn up when you aren’t looking for it a few weeks later. Imagine how excited you’d be to finally complete the puzzle. In Luke 15, Jesus talks about se...

Did you know that 3,160 tons of water flow over Niagara Falls every second? Like water flows over the Falls, the words and actions of your son flow out of what is in their hearts. To raise godly boys, we need to remember the advice the wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon, gave to his son: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23 Your son’s behav...

Has the grumble monster invaded your home? You may not see him, but he leaves everyone feeling grouchy and grumpy. These emotions often lead to frustration when life is hard. Perhaps your son struggles in school, or maybe he’s hanging around friends that aren’t a good influence. You wish life didn’t have so many trials and troubles. During these times, it’s easy to complain. That’s why Philippians...

What comes to mind when you hear the words “mercy” and “grace”? Pastor and author Paul Tripp defines mercy as “tenderheartedness and compassion toward someone in need.” John Newton wrote about God’s “Amazing Grace” in his beloved hymn. I like this definition: Mercy is not getting what you deserve. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve. “Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidenc...

When was the last time your plans were suddenly ruined? Maybe you had organized the perfect family road trip. But then, the day before leaving, one of your kids got really sick. Life doesn’t always go according to plan. There are countless variables outside our control. But we can control how we react when receiving bad news. When disappointment strikes, be intentional in teaching your kids an imp...

What comes to mind when someone mentions a chameleon? Most people think of the scaly lizard that changes color based on its surroundings. These cold-blooded reptiles blend into their environment by camouflaging their appearance. They can even adapt the brightness of their skin for strategic purposes. Chameleons are fascinating, but they’re NOT an example of how Christians should act in today’s wor...

Do you have a smartphone? If so, in addition to making phone calls and sending text messages, you probably use it to take pictures. Of course, when kids are young, parents often take thousands of pictures. But as those same kids enter middle school and high school, life becomes so busy that parents sometimes forget to take pictures. Be intentional in capturing both the big and small moments of lif...

What are some things that rise? Maybe you’re thinking about prices, or helium, or a hot air balloon. But by far, the most amazing thing that has ever risen is the Lord Jesus. If he had stayed dead, people would have no hope and no future. But after three days in the tomb, Jesus conquered death and rose victoriously. And because of that, we can be redeemed. Have you and your son accepted Jesus Chri...

As Easter approaches, what comes to mind? For many kids, Easter involves egg hunts, bunny-shaped chocolate, and goodie-filled baskets. But the real meaning of Easter is so much more than this. As a parent, don’t allow the commercialization of Easter to distract you from the true meaning of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. Teach your son that the Easter story is more than a story. It’s the real-life ac...

Ever thought about having your son help you decorate your home for Easter?  We all decorate for Christmas. But as Christians, shouldn’t we show our boy that there’s just as much– if not more– to celebrate at Easter?  Spend some time this year putting up some decorations representing Christs’ sacrifice. These don’t have to be fancy or expensive– display a cross, and frame a verse like Matthew 28:6-...

This day celebrates the fact that Jesus is not dead, but is alive. This is what separates us from all other religions. Since Jesus has been resurrected, He offers a resurrected life to us. Romans 6:4 says, We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. This “newness of...

A surefire way to pique your son’s interest? A snack!  Here’s a snack mix recipe to help you discuss the true meaning of Easter. Gather up the following: Pretzel sticks, to symbolize the cross; craisins, to represent Jesus’ blood; round crackers, for the stone that was rolled away; a marshmallow, since our sins are forgiven; Goldfish crackers, since Jesus said we should be fishers of men; and choc...