Raising Godly Boys Minute

Why are boys protectors?

At four years old, Thomas saw a red wasp fly into the room and land next to his baby sister, buzzing threateningly.  Scared for his sister, he stepped in front of her, stomping on the wasp with his bare foot, and the stinger went deep into his soft skin.

His mother rushed from the kitchen and scooped up the brave little boy who saved his sister by taking the pain himself.

Boys are men-in-training, and the God-given role of protector is hard-wired into them.  Masculinity is not toxic, it is godly and heroic.

Help your son become the best.  Live Christ in your life.  Find good, strong mentors to train him, and high-character friends to walk alongside him.

For more information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Wet towels on the bathroom floor. Dirty clothes strewn about the bedroom with Legos embedded within, acting as a plastic minefield. And dirt. Dirt everywhere. 

If you have boys, then this little visual has you nodding in agreement. Personal hygiene for the average pre-teen boy or early teenager just doesn’t compute. Not until there is a girl involved. Then, we see the transformation unfold before our eyes. The hair has to be just so. Clean clothes matter. Deodorant and cologne become necessities.

What happened?

He now has a reason to care. 

But didn’t he have a reason to care before? Yes. “Whether then, you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”* Sometimes, boys need to be taught how God’s Word applies to every aspect of life.

For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Is your son ready?

John David was giving the boys a last-minute pack check before heading out on a week-long hike and campout of over eighty miles, when he noticed they only had one water bottle apiece.  The trails were long and dusty, and many times there would be no streams or rivers along the way, and they could only find water to filter at the end of the day.  He quickly got them more water bottles, and they were ready for the trip.

One sip of a Sunday sermon is not enough to carry your son through the week.  Teach him to drink deeply of the word, daily refreshing himself by streams of pure water in scripture. Morning and nightly draughts from God’s word will sustain him, clear his mind, and give him strength to carry on.

For information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Here’s an idea for studying the Bible with your teenage son.

First, find a simple Bible reading plan online. Each day, you and your son read the passage together or own your own.

Then, after reading the passage, go through the H.E.A.R. acronym.  This was created by Pastor Robbie Gallaty.

H stands for– Highlight a verse that stands out
E— Explain what this verse means
A— Apply this to your  life
And R— Respond to God’s Word.

Pastor Robbie says he created this acronym to eliminate many of the excuses people give for not understanding God’s word. It’s also an excellent catalyst for sparking spiritual conversations between you and your son. Pray about giving the H.E.A.R method a try.

For more ideas to raise your son to be a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

William Wallace, who fought for Scottish independence, recalls this quote his uncle used to tell him: “I tell you a truth: Liberty is the best of things, my son; never live under any slavish bond.”

Teach your son to walk in freedom.  Many things in this life will seek to enslave him: twisted immorality, the pursuit of selfish ends and amassing wealth, or a life of ease and pleasure.  But it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. 

Your son is free from the bondage of Pharisaical judgment, Corinthian licentiousness, and everything in between.  Whom the son sets free is free indeed. 

So help him fight his battles, help free him from society’s grip, and let him soar with eagle’s wings so he, in turn, may reach out and help free others.

For information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.