Raising Godly Boys Minute

There’s a bunch of excitement in the rocket industry. SpaceX and other companies are building gigantic rockets. They’re even planning Mars missions. But before a rocket ever leaves the ground, there are countless hours of building and programming. Every part of the rocket is checked and double-checked to make sure it’s ready for liftoff. Before your son heads off for college or moves away for work...

During the California Gold Rush of 1849, thousands of prospectors panned for gold in mountain streams and riverbeds. But those prospectors who spent time, sweat, and effort digging into the earth were the ones most likely to strike it rich. Discovering a single vein of gold was worth way more than hundreds of gold flakes from the river. Help your son strike it rich in terms of godly character. Sho...

If you plan to go skiing, you wear ski boots. If you’re heading to the beach, you wear sandals. For a quick jog around the block, you wear running shoes. You select your shoes based on the type of activity. Similarly, when training, correcting, or playing with your son, it’s vital to select the appropriate tone for the task at hand. It’s also crucial that you understand your son’s personality so t...

Have you ever broken an arm? Depending on the type of break, the doctor might have needed to set the bones straight before placing your arm in a cast. That cast kept your arm protected so that the broken bones could grow back together. If your relationship with your son is broken, you also need to set things straight. Take time to allow the relationship to heal. This may require a season of rest a...

 Have you ever watched a stunt driver race his motorcycle up a steep ramp and into the air? Maybe he did a double backflip with a bunch of twists and turns. Those crazy stunts require an incredible amount of control. If the stuntman were to leave the ramp at the wrong angle, he’d land off target and experience an awful wipeout. To succeed in life, your son also needs to be in control. Because boys...

Imagine sending an army to war without the tools or training to achieve victory. And yet, we are sending boys, ill-equipped, into a culture that seems to have declared war on boyhood. The results are tragic. Boys are almost twice as likely to be put in special education and three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. And each year, fewer young men enroll in higher education. But changing th...

Fidgeting. Being loud. Having trouble staying seated. Running or climbing when it’s not appropriate. We used to consider these normal behaviors for young boys.  But now, they are listed as symptoms of ADHD. Attention disorders are certainly real. But in some cases, what if instead of changing our boys’ behavior, we need to adjust our approach as adults? For instance–too much screen time and not en...

You’re sitting at the dinner table, and you ask your son if he’s ready for basketball tryouts. Your son’s face starts to turn red. Suddenly, he stands up, pushes his plate away, and knocks his chair over intentionally as he leaves the room. You’re confused. What caused this sudden anger outburst? Researchers have discovered that when boys seem angry or withdrawn, they are often actually anxious. S...

You’ve no doubt heard of Babe Ruth, who set a record for most number of home runs in his baseball career– seven hundred and fourteen. But here’s a statistic you probably haven’t heard– Babe Ruth’s total career strikeouts. One thousand three hundred and thirty. That’s right– he struck out far more than he hit homers. When it comes to your own son, of course you want him to hit all the proverbial “h...

Is your son glued to a screen? You’ve tried everything, but you just can’t pull your son away from his video games. Well here’s something to consider. Does your son’s real life give him the same opportunities for adventure that his virtual world does? Of course, video games are addictive by design. But researchers have found that boys also turn to gaming out of boredom, seeking freedom and risk. T...

Billy Graham was one of the most influential evangelists of the 20th century. He boldly proclaimed the Gospel to over 200 million people. But in addition to his important preaching ministry, Billy Graham also had an important message for fathers. He said, “A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” As a dad, you have the...

Gangs. They are responsible for almost half of violent crime in the United States. And yet, boys and men continue to join these groups in droves, some recruited as early as elementary school. Why? Here’s a big reason. As boys interact socially, they are always asking three questions: “Who is with me?” “Who is in charge?” And, “What is our mission?” Often, church groups and social clubs, although w...

In the old days of coal mining, canaries were brought into mines. If the bird died, the miners knew they needed to escape, because there was something noxious in the atmosphere. In our society today, boys are just like those canaries. Many are faltering in every area, including school, relationships, and mental health. But there is one simple thing that can make young men more likely to make healt...

Boys love the story of David and Goliath. Afterall, anytime there’s a battle involving giants with swords, it’s sure to capture attention. But too often, boys fail to apply important lessons from David’s life. Before David defeated Goliath, he had learned to depend on God when battling lions that attacked his sheep. By relying on God in these smaller tests of faith, David had confidence that God w...

Two of the most difficult words for a parent to say are, “I’m sorry.” Are you saying them enough? As parents, we should ask for forgiveness from our kids if we lose our temper, or don’t control our tongue, or if we jump to conclusions without gathering the necessary facts. The difficulty is that we can feel vulnerable, inadequate, and even slightly humiliated when apologizing. But here’s the truth...

Glance into your purse or wallet and you’ll probably see a few dollar bills. Written on those dollar bills are these words: In God We Trust. It’s nice having that motto on our coins and bills—but it’s even more important to demonstrate that motto in our lives … that we teach this to our sons. Has your son trusted in Jesus as his Savior? If so, are you teaching him the importance of trusting in the...

Boys love football. And these days, a great benefit of watching football on TV is the instant replay. You can re-watch—and practically relive—those exciting catches, fumbles, and interceptions. The instant replay is fantastic. But in real life, there is no “redo”. You get only one chance to raise your son through his adolescent years. But what if you haven’t trained your son as well as you wish yo...

When Benjamin Franklin’s name is mentioned, kids think of the guy who placed a metal key on a kite string. But adults recognize Benjamin Franklin as one of America’s most important Founding Fathers. In addition to helping to write the Declaration of Independence, he also had great advice about the learning process. He said, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” K...

When you’re expecting a baby, you’re filled with dreams of how extraordinary your child will eventually become. But if your son has special needs or experiences developmental delays, you dream about him functioning in an ordinary way. The expectations we have for our children don’t always turn out the way we wish. During these times, it’s easy to become angry, frustrated, and bitter. When these em...

You can make your son’s day by putting his favorite candy in his backpack— a fruit roll up, a kit-kat, or maybe a Snickers. But what if you could load his backpack with what he needs emotionally, spiritually, and socially, as well? The critical needs of boys can be symbolized by five survival tools– a compass, a map, a guide, a flashlight, and a mountain. First, boys need a “compass”– a clear miss...

If your son is like most boys, he’s full of curiosity and spontaneity. These characteristics help boys better understand the world around them. But—when not properly controlled—impulsive actions can lead to problems and pain. Help your son understand how actions have consequences. A great way to do this is to read the Bible with him. Show him how Samson thought he was invincible—but that he was no...

If your car has a flat tire, it’s important to fix it fast. If you keep driving on it, the rim will quickly shred the rubber. After that you’ll ruin the alignment, brakes, and suspension. You might even lose control of the vehicle. Similarly, if your relationship with your son is deflated, it’s important to fix it … fast. Maybe you had a disagreement or misunderstanding with him. Maybe harsh words...

At times, your son may act like an outlaw terrorizing the wild west. As sheriff, it’s your job to keep the peace and enforce the laws. But as you know, it’s easy to grow frustrated, impatient, and exhausted at having to correct him over and over again. When your blood pressure starts to rise, take time to recall moments from the past. Pull out your phone and flip through old pictures. Do you remem...

Are you concerned about bullying? Research tells us that the #1 concern of parents for their children is that they will be bullied.60 percent of all mothers and fathers report this fear. Though bullying may seem to us to be child’s play that will pass in time, the emotional effects are powerful, especially for boys, who are struggling with identity in a world that values them less. Your son’s best...

A tiny seed doesn’t become a towering tree overnight, nor by accident. After a seed sprouts, it requires healthy soil, direct sunlight, and consistent moisture to develop strong roots. These roots are vital in helping it stand strong through the winds and storms of life. The same is true in parenting. Your son needs healthy attention, direct instruction, and consistent love in order to develop a s...