Raising Godly Boys Minute

Is it easier for you to fix something yourself rather than ask your son to help? If so, you’re not alone. One wife asked her husband to let their ten-year-old help him change the oil in their car. He told her he’d tried in the past but ended up frustrated. His son didn’t listen, couldn’t focus, and kept dropping tools. The task took twice as long. Can you relate? Even though teaching our sons how...

Have you ever prayed over your son’s room? Consider doing this the next time your son is at school or asleep. Standing at your son’s bedroom door, pray Psalm 121:8: That the Lord will watch over his comings and his goings. Then, walk over to his bedroom window, and pray Matthew 6:33- that your son will seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness. By his bedside, pray Psalm 4:8- That your son will l...

Has your son ever been afraid? On a coastal night hike, the youngest boys in the group were scared when odd lights began flashing across the sky.  They grew more terrified as they hiked closer until they were directly underneath the lights! Turning the corner, they were delighted to find the source of the mysterious lights was a lighthouse in the distance; the lighthouse beam reflected off a power...

What comes to mind when you hear the word reflector? Maybe you think of a car’s taillight or those glittery objects that stick up in the center of the road. A reflector takes the light it receives and redirects it outward. In the darkness of today’s culture, Christians have a responsibility to reflect the true light of the world. The question is, are you doing that? Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your li...

Don’t forget to enjoy life with your son.  If you’re like many parents, you are very concerned with parenting your son well. You work hard to help him succeed in school and learn responsibility. You research the best discipline strategies for him. You pray for him to know the Lord.  Those things are excellent. But don’t forget to kick back and have fun with your boy, too.  Sit on the porch and pla...

Did you charge up your cell phone last night?  Most likely, you did. That meant plugging it into a power source so that electricity could recharge its battery. Each night, you probably recharge your phone so that it’s ready to be used throughout the next day. As a parent, it’s vital that you also take time to rest and recharge. This could take the form of physical relaxation, emotional support, or...

Is your son destined for greatness? Baroque sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini once said, “If you want to know the extent of a man’s ability, give him something difficult to do.” Today’s society wants to give everyone a prize for showing up and award everyone an ‘A’ for turning in the assignment.  The temptation to accept the easy ‘A’ and the prize with no victory creates a world with no champions. Bre...

If your son flops down on the couch and says, “I’m bored” — take notice.  God made boys mentally, emotionally, and physically different from girls. Because of that, they need to engage in activities that they are passionate about . . . activities that involve both mind and body.  So, what’s your son passionate about?  Dad, help him discover his strengths and talents. This might involve trying a li...

Encourage your son to make only one resolution this year: to never give up.  The movie A Million Miles Away tells the true story of Jose Hernandez, who grew up as a migrant farmworker and eventually fulfilled his dream of being an astronaut.  Part of Jose’s story is that he applied to NASA eleven times before he was eventually accepted.  While making his twelfth application attempt, the movie show...

On this last day of the year,  reflect with your son about the 5 critical needs. First, do a check on your son’s “compass.” Ask him what he would like his life to look like in 5 years, and what he needs to do now to achieve his dreams. Secondly, ask your son about his “map.” Does he have male mentors to look up to? Third, remind your son that he needs a “guide,” positive peer relationships. Is his...

Are you afraid your son will lose his way?  This world is full of alluring distractions that can lead our children down dark paths, seeking to devour them. In the midst of so many lies, how can they know the truth? Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote in Sherlock Holmes, “...when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” Against the wisdom of this world,...

A young boy was playing with his pet goldfish, when he accidentally killed it. Scared he would get in trouble, the boy, named David, lied about what happened to his fish. Immediately, he felt guilty. He confessed the lie to his mom as tears streamed down his face. His mom said, “David, Jesus loves you no matter what you have done.” That little boy was David Frey, who grew up to be the lead singer...

Did you listen to your parents, or did you listen to your friends? Friendships can define a boy’s life.  More than that, friendships in a group can provide identity.  There is a reason sports teammates will fight viciously for one another on the field.  It’s also why gangs are so prevalent– it gives boys a sense of belonging, and can drive them to do things they know are wrong. How can you help yo...

In a time when boys are struggling to know their purpose and identity, look to the beautiful story of Christmas.  First, Jesus’ time on earth gives young men guidance. Jesus embodies Biblical masculinity. He  loves, heals, delivers, and sacrifices. Second, the Christmas story grounds boys. In our society where everything is fluid, the absolute truth of God’s word gives young men a foundation to st...

Is celebrating Christmas really important?  Does it matter? Today’s world seems ready to tear down any tradition that reinforces Christianity, family, and morality.  For our children, this can lead to confusion and despair. The simple act of celebrating Christmas, decorating and cooking special food, helping kids choose gifts for family members, anticipating the big day, and spending time together...

Show. Don’t just tell. In Philippians 3:10, Paul says, “I want to know Christ.” He isn’t talking about head knowledge. In both the Greek and Hebrew languages, the word knowledge is experience based. Paul was saying that he longs to experience God in all of His glory. That should be our heart’s cry as Christian parents. We can take our son to church and tell him about the importance of a relationsh...

What is a holiday? The word holiday comes from the words “holy day.” Parents can seize opportunities all around them for recognizing Christmas as a holy holiday. December offers plenty of occasions for talking about the Lord. The book of Deuteronomy shows a model for approaching special seasons. We can remember what God did in the past, feast on good, rich foods, and offer spiritual sacrifices. We...

What are you getting your son for Christmas?  Does he have a present wrapped under the tree? Have you considered giving him biblical manhood? Today’s world is mired in moral confusion, social pressures and the tyranny of the cell phone that makes everything worse. For a young man, who needs guidelines in his life, godly mentors, and challenges to help test his strength and grow him into the godly...

He’s often overlooked, but he’s one of the most important characters in the Christmas story. Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, is a wonderful example of healthy masculinity in several ways. First, Joseph did the right thing. When he first learned of Mary’s pregnancy, he planned to divorce her quietly, so he wouldn’t shame her. But after being visited by an angel, he chose to trust God and stay with M...

Theodore Roosevelt famously said, “Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.” But how? How do we as parents give our sons the chance for glorious triumphs? Break free of the tyranny o...

Your son craves four things. First, he craves belonging– to “fit in.” Second, he wants a sense of competence. He needs to feel “good enough.” Third– boys need to know their worth. And the fourth thing that boys crave is a sense of autonomy. They want freedom and independence. The next time your son is upset or angry, it may be a good idea to go through this list in your head. Which craving is your...

How can you train your son into good character, character that will last, character that will see him become a man of responsibility and action? The allures of society can drown your son in ease of life, pleasure, and infinite time-wasting.  Many young men simply fail to do anything with their lives. It doesn’t have to be this way. Irving Stone wrote of Michelangelo in The Agony and the Ecstasy, “...

Pray that your son is ordinary. When your boy is little it's fun to dream about what he may grow up to be. Maybe he could be a famous musician or an athlete or president of the United States, but have you ever considered praying that your son will simply be ordinary, with an extraordinary Heart for Jesus ? In the Bible, it's often that everyday, overlooked people God uses to accomplish a...

What is your son afraid of? In today’s world, there is a lot to fear.  School, friends, teachers, and classes are just a few.  Social media and today’s culture pile on enough to scare most adults, let alone children. But the bible says, “God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Anchor your son in the word of God.  Lead your children to godliness by exa...

“Raising boys is an extreme sport. That’s why I wear workout clothes every day.” That’s a lighthearted quote from the blog Simply Well Balanced, but it sure has a lot of truth in it! Raising a son is a good way to rack up the steps on your fitness watch. But let me affirm you— if you’re letting your boy be wild– you’re probably doing it right. Let him run around like crazy outside. Show him how to...