Raising Godly Boys Minute

Have you ever seen a boy bite into a lemon? If so, his face probably scrunched up into wrinkles because of the super sour taste. You may have never bitten into a lemon, but in life, we all experience sour moments. Maybe your son loves basketball. But then, while making a simple layup, he sprains his ankle and can’t join the school team. During times of unexpected frustration, help your son see thr...

What was the best Christmas present you ever received growing up? Whatever comes to mind, it pales in comparison to the gift mankind received in a manger more than 2,000 years ago. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 Amid the hustle and...

Nearly 2,000 years ago, an angel appeared to shepherds outside of Bethlehem. That angel declared, “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which will be to all people.” Those “good tidings” are still great news to us today. That news is that Jesus Christ is Lord. With Christmas in full swing, now is the perfect time to teach your kids that this festive season is about much more than presents. Use c...

When you wrap a present, does the final package look like an explosion of paper—or like a decorative piece of artwork? No matter what the packaging looks like, don’t get so wrapped up in the busyness of the Christmas season that you forget what’s truly important.  As we celebrate Christ’s birth, honor Him by being the father God wants you to be. That involves spending time with your son. Here’s an...

What’s your favorite tool in your toolbox? A hammer, wrench, screwdriver, or perhaps it’s a power tool like a saw?  I’ve realized that one of the best things a parent can learn is that you don’t have the power to change your boy. That is something only God can do. But God does want to use you as a tool to change your boy’s heart and help him understand what it means to be a man. As you strive to b...

What does it take for you to raise a godly boy? It takes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22 and 23. If we’re honest with ourselves, we know that none of these characteristics come naturally to us. But the good news is that God has not asked us to do this in our own strength. He has provided u...

When your kids stress you out, don’t you wish there was a parenting 911 phone number? You know, a phone number you could call for emergency help in dealing with bad attitudes and rebellious behavior. Although there isn’t a parenting 911 phone number, there’s something even better, faster, and more effective. Whenever the parenting journey feels overwhelming, ask God for help. Jeremiah 33:3 provide...

What’s the hardest part of playing baseball? For most people, it’s timing your swing when a baseball comes flying at you. But when you swing the bat and connect solidly with the ball, you just might earn yourself a home run.   As a parent, you want your son to succeed in life. But before he’ll take your guidance and instruction to heart, you first need to connect with him on an emotional level. An...

Did you know that your feet contain around a quarter of all the bones in your body? It’s true! Each foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 ligaments, tendons, and muscles. From a medical standpoint, feet are amazing. But Romans 10:15 gives a different perspective. The verse says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace.” Sharing the gospel message with people i...

When out in the woods, accidents happen. A Trailman may sprain his ankle, or someone may brush up against poison ivy. During these times, a first aid kit comes in handy. But don’t you wish parenting kids came with its own first aid kit? If it did, it’d definitely include an ice pack to cool high tempers, bandages for wrapping hurt feelings, and ointment to sooth frustration away. Optional accessor...

The world is a scary place. Hurricanes pound coastal cities. Riots burn businesses. And in war-torn countries, missiles destroy homes and separate families. Are your kids scared of what is happening in today’s world? Are TV broadcasts, internet headlines, and YouTube videos making them fear the future? Don’t let bad news destroy your children’s courage and steal their happiness. Despite the turmoi...

When scanning social media, do you find yourself becoming jealous? Do other families seem to have kids that are perfectly behaved, perfectly athletic, or perfectly talented? It’s easy to see social-media posts and think those snapshots tell the whole story. They often don’t. That’s why it’s important to realize that God made each child uniquely different. Even though your son may be a little clums...

Has your son experienced the death of a pet? What about the loss of a friend or a grandparent? Death is a hard concept for young kids to understand. But even for children who are older, emotions can quickly spiral out of control. And without proper perspective of what this loss means and how to deal with grief, death’s grip can drag kids into anger, despair, and loneliness. When death steals a lov...

Charles Spurgeon, a famous preacher from the 1800s, said, “Let no Christian parents fall into the delusion that Sunday School is intended to ease them of their personal duties.” While church is a great place for your kids to learn biblical truths, they spend many more hours of the day at home. And it’s there that they should be learning about how Jesus influences all areas of our lives. So, what k...

When building an outdoor shelter, rope comes in handy. But do you know how to tie a square knot? What about a sheet bend knot or a bowline knot. It takes time, practice, and patience to master these knots—but when you understand their purpose and how to make them, life becomes a little easier and a whole lot more fun. The same is true in parenting. Raising boys can feel like a rope full of knots....

Do unanswered why questions frustrate you? Perhaps your teenage son is obnoxiously rebellious. You wonder why God gave you a son that makes parenting so difficult? Or maybe there’s that nagging question about why your son has to suffer with a physical health condition. Life is filled with questions we don’t know the answers to. But that doesn’t mean we give up or trust God any less. In Isaiah 55:9...

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done? Perhaps you’ve run a race or climbed a mountain. Those are certainly incredible accomplishments. But forgiving someone can be one of the most difficult things to do. That’s because forgiveness requires letting go of the hurt, anger, and bitterness you hold deep inside. And when you’ve been wronged by one of your own children, that pain stings even more. D...

Do you remember the first time your son jumped off the diving board at the local pool? Before taking the plunge, he probably stood at the edge of the board—his knees wobbly and his face full of fear. Maybe he didn’t want to “jump,” but your cheers and hollers finally prompted him to take that timid step off the board and into the water. After jumping off the diving board a dozen more times, your s...

Does your son understand the connection between cause and effect? Basically, this is the idea of sowing and reaping, or the idea that actions have consequences. If your son forgets to take out the trash or clean up his room, show him the results. The trash piles over and stinks. Maybe he steps on a toy and accidently breaks it. By pointing out the principle of cause and effect in small matters, yo...

What’s your favorite sport? Is it basketball? Maybe it’s football? What about track or tennis? For C. T. Studd, his passion was cricket—a popular game played in England. As a professional cricket player, Studd shocked the sports world when he announced his decision to become a missionary to China. He later said, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” What abou...

Turkey anyone? Most Americans celebrate Thanksgiving by enjoying a delicious feast. The menu usually includes things like green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, corn, dinner rolls, and cranberry sauce.  But the most iconic Thanksgiving food is turkey. This Thanksgiving, after you’ve gobbled down your meal and two slices of pumpkin pie, don’t be a turkey! Even though you may be tempted to watch foo...

Here’s a quiz question: The day after Thanksgiving is known as what? If you answered, “Black Friday,” you’re absolutely right. That’s when many stores advertise incredible sales—and people willingly gobble up the savings. Even though it’s nice to score a bargain, don’t let the commercialization of the holiday season distract you with all its gizmos and gadgets. In Luke 12:15, Jesus reminds us that...

Who are your son’s heroes?  Many boys admire the superheroes they see in movies or the athletes that make crowds jump to their feet in awe and wonder. It’s one thing for boys to wish they could fly through the air or dunk a basketball. But point out real-life superheroes that make our lives a better place. People like police officers, firefighters, and military servicemen should be admired because...

When you ask a boy to do something, and he asks “why?” is your typical response: “Because I said so”? If we want to raise godly boys, we must try to include the “why” behind the “what.” As parents or mentors to boys, we should be more concerned with their heart transformation than behavior modification. The best thing we can do is point boys to Scripture, which provides an unmoving foundation for...

When the national anthem is sung or the pledge of allegiance recited, does your son stand and salute the flag? Since 1777, the American flag has stood as a powerful symbol of American liberty and justice. The stars and stripes remind us of the sacrifice that many men and women gave so that we can enjoy this land of the free. Teach your son the meaning of the flag’s colors. White signifies purity a...