Raising Godly Boys Minute

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 th...

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...

God made boys with a competitive spirit. They crave the excitement of challenging themselves against others and emerging victorious. This desire to compete is a positive characteristic. But when competition within the home mutates into sibling rivalry, beware. Sibling rivalry often begins with jealousy, bitterness, and resentment. Because brothers and sisters don’t know how to process these emotio...

Boys love to test their physical strength through competition. This often involves sports such as football, soccer, or wrestling. But boys also measure their strength through weightlifting. By pumping iron, they develop muscle and gain stamina. The problem is that in the gym, it’s easy for boys to think that bigger biceps equals a better man. Teach your son that, although a challenging physical ro...

Warning! Your son is being targeted. A relentless enemy is trying to entice, trap, and destroy his heart and mind. This enemy hides in the shadows—yet is constantly attacking your son. Who is this enemy? It’s pornography. Here’s a shocking statistic. The top pornographic website has more visits each day than Netflix, Amazon, and Twitter—combined! Don’t let pornography destroy your son’s heart, min...

Boys are in trouble. More than ever, they’re being intentionally misled and confused by an anti-Christian culture that wants to destroy their faith in Jesus Christ. Secular worldviews—including relativism and humanism—also want to devour your son’s heart and mind, and thereby control his thoughts and actions. To withstand these attacks, boys need to be well-grounded in God’s Word. Romans 12:2 says...

Boys are influenced by what they see. That’s a fact. The question is: What are they looking at throughout the day? The answer: Their phones and other digital devices. But what’s especially disturbing and sad is that the internet is bombarding boys with sensual and even pornographic images. Guys may think they’re tough, but they’re no match against sexual temptation. A recent study found that 90% o...

A furious storm rages around us. Today’s anti-Christian culture is battering all those who stand in its way. And it’s only getting worse. Public schools are increasingly hostile to biblical truth and Christian values. In this antagonistic society, it’s easy for Christian boys to get swept away by peer pressure, sexual temptation, and the quest for riches. Don’t let these weights catch your son off...

If you live in the north, the transition from one season to the next brings dramatic weather changes. Many people enjoy fall, but winter quickly pushes it aside. Then people yearn for the warmth of spring, but that’s replaced by the heat of summer. Seasons are a natural part of our environment. So are the seasons of our children’s lives. As parents, we sometimes wish we could hold back time and ke...

Being a parent is one of the greatest joys in life. It’s also exhausting! Whether it seems like you’ve changed a million diapers or whether you feel like a professional taxi driver for your teenage kids, each stage of life has its own challenges. As a parent, it’s certainly your responsibility to guide and train your children. But it’s also important for you to take time to rest physically, . . ....

Did you know that 30% of teen boys use unhealthy techniques to control their weight? This includes skipping meals, vomiting, and even taking laxatives. For parents with boys in this category, we wish there were something like 3 simple steps to help our sons escape the downward spiral of self-image and self-esteem problems. But it’s usually not that easy. In addition to consulting doctors for help,...

If you’ve got a boy in your house, you know that God made boys with lots of energy and enthusiasm. It’s important that we provide ways for them to experience fun, excitement, and adventure—beyond the everyday routines of life. This can sometimes be difficult at home where space is limited. That’s why finding ways for him to engage in the outdoors is so important. And, while creating opportunities...

Have you ever played Jenga, the block-stacking game? It’s fun taking turns stacking blocks and watching the tower grow tall. But eventually, the tower becomes unbalanced, and the blocks come tumbling down. As a parent, don’t allow yourself to become unbalanced in life. As you go about your daily routines, avoid stacking too many obligations in your life. The higher your number of commitments, the...

Here’s a trivia question: Which state has the most lighthouses? If you answered Michigan, you’re absolutely right. In the darkness of night, lighthouses warn sailors of shallow sandbars and rocky shorelines. Without these lighthouses, many boats and sailors would crash into these obstacles and suffer great hardship and pain. In many ways, you serve as a lighthouse to your son. As he sails through...

Social media sites have tremendous power to influence your son’s thoughts and actions. But there’s an even more influential force in your son’s life—and that’s his friends. Research tells us that ensuring a positive community of faith for your son is one of the best ways to shield him against negative influences and to set him up for success. Though it’s unreasonable for you to expect your son’s f...

What does 100 billion of anything look like? Astronomers estimate that our Milky Way Galaxy holds around 100 billion stars. If you counted one star per second, it would take you over 3,000 years to count those stars. That’s incredible! And yet, God—the master designer of billions of galaxies—loves each person more than any of those stars. So, the next time you see your son frustrated and hurting,...

Boys crave action and adventure. That’s why video games and movies grab their attention. But too often, this content is crude, sensual, and violent. Help your son find action and adventure in the pages of a good book. But beware. Many of the books written specifically for boys carry unbiblical worldviews. Secular authors are strategically influencing boys in unhealthy ways. Be careful about what y...