Raising Godly Boys Minute

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 play f...

Did you charge up your cell phone last night? Mostly 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, o...

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. Br...

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 littl...

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...

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...

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, “...

It was just three simple words. Evangelical Louis Palau was fighting terminal lung cancer. During that time, someone asked him, “After you pass away, if you could send a message down from heaven to all believers, what do you think you would say?” Palau thought for a moment, then responded with three simple words: “Go for it.” That kind of God-rooted courage is one of the most important traits to i...

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...

In today's directionless culture, how can a boy know which way to go? As a boy, Luke climbed a 13,000-foot peak.  It was terrifying and exhilarating!    Just below the summit, the path went through a channel cut into the rock by ferocious winds.  Protecting him from being swept off the rock face were steel cables mounted deep into the rock, secured there by the forest service.  Confident of t...

A perfect parent would raise a terrible son. If you’re like many of us, when your head hits the pillow at night, your mind buzzes with the ways you could have been a better parent to your son. But Ali Worthington, author of the book Remaining You While Raising Them, says to stop beating yourself up. She says even a perfect parent can raise a son who doesn’t know how to apologize or deal with a fri...

How do you feel about your son's friends? Do they make him a better person?  Do they encourage him to do the right thing?  Do your son's friends show him how to serve selflessly?  Scripture says “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” This is doubly true for boys, who are still moldable clay, waiting to be formed by whatever-- and whoever-- is around them.  More than listen...

Disciplining your son takes courage. Whether your son is a toddler with a squeaky voice or a teenager with floppy hair, disciplining him can be quite a challenge. You may be met with a tantrum, eye rolls, or even the dreaded “I hate you!”  Sometimes, the response from your son might be so harsh that you wonder if discipline does more harm than good. But don’t lose heart. Saying no and laying down...

Here’s a simple language shift that can reach the heart of your son.  When your boy is bickering with a sibling or a friend, your instinct might be to say “Son, you need to be kind.” But author Dr. Emerson Eggerichs says that you might need to say something else. Dr. Eggerichs is widely known for his writings about how a man’s deepest desire is for respect. He says that desire starts when boys are...

Why does your son need to learn courage? Does he need to stand up for himself?  Stand up for others?  Stand up for what is right? In today’s world, he will need to do all of these and more. English poet and playwright Sameul Johnson said, “Where courage is not, no other virtue can survive except by accident.” Lead by example.  Give your son godly mentors. Provide opportunities for him to test hims...

It was just three simple words. Evangelical Louis Palau was fighting terminal lung cancer. During that time, someone asked him, “After you pass away, if you could send a message down from heaven to all believers, what do you think you would say?” Palau thought for a moment, then responded with three simple words: “Go for it.” That kind of God-rooted courage is one of the most important traits to i...

Have you ever had a mentor or teacher that you wish you had listened to? In a whitewater course, two seasoned veterans taught  the intricacies of draw strokes, pry strokes, reading a rapid, and the joy of eddy turns. But five minutes onto the river, one boy panicked, ignored the calls of his mentors, and ended up capsizing his canoe in the middle of a rapid and wrapping it around a large rock, whi...

David Thomas, a psychologist, was attending an elderly grandpa’s funeral. David watched as two of the man’s grandsons approached the casket. One boy, who was six years old, cried loudly. Beside him stood another boy– fourteen years old– who was  holding back his tears. David overheard some adults express concern about the crying six year old. But David was more worried about the silent older boy....

What is Black Friday, really?  What is it about? Pursuing hard-to-find items only available for a short time is a treasure hunt to many. How can you use Black Friday to teach your children about faith in Christ? The bible says few find the path to salvation, and this short life is the only time we have to find it.  In some ways, Black Friday is like the man who found a hidden treasure in a field a...

What is your son thankful for? The Pilgrims were thankful to be alive.  They fled from religious persecution, faced the terror of the North Atlantic in a tiny ship and potential starvation when their supplies ran out. Today, your son faces new and harsh challenges to his faith and even his identity as a male.  How can you help him navigate past his obstacles into godly, thankful manhood? Model Chr...