Raising Godly Boys Minute

Ever heard the phrase “match the hatch”? It reminds fishermen that the best way to catch fish is to figure out what the fish are eating. But did you know this concept could help you get your teenage son involved in church, too?

Pay close attention to what activities your boy is drawn toward the most. Does he love music and playing an instrument? Encourage him to get involved in the church praise team. Is he into skateboarding? Search for a local Christian skater group. Does he love the adventure of video games? Get him involved with Christian outdoor groups, like Trail Life USA.

Don’t pull your son away from the things that interest him– instead, “match the hatch” and find a Christian community related to his favorite activity.

For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Here’s something you’ll rarely hear shouted during a major league baseball game: “Great call, ump!”

Even the best, most experienced umpire will face constant criticism, taunting, and ridicule for every decision. Spectators only talk them if they are angry about a call that was made.

Consider this. Does your son feel like an umpire in his everyday life– constantly surrounded by criticism? At school, is he teased by his friends? Do his well-meaning teachers focus on the problems he missed? At home, do you remind him of the chores he didn’t do and the vegetables he didn’t eat?

Make it your goal to verbally affirm your son for the things he’s doing well. He needs that affirmation more than you probably realize.

To learn about the 5 critical needs of boys, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

The baseball hall of fame is full of failures.

Consider Joe DiMaggio, one of the all-time top hitters. His batting average was .325. But even that great statistic means that Joe failed to hit the ball almost 70% of the time.

Unfortunately, in our society, boys do not receive the same margin for error. Young men naturally develop slower than their female peers, in both academics and emotional intelligence. But that is often ignored by educators, and boys are quickly labeled “slow” when they simply need more time to develop.

Let’s be like the baseball hall of fame. Let’s focus on the good, give lots of grace for failure, and celebrate each successful hit our boys make in life.

For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

The player stands at the free throw line, preparing for a critical shot. He takes a few seconds to adjust his arms and his feet. He knows that the only way he can make this shot is if his whole body is in perfect alignment.

For your son, life is the same way. The only way he can succeed  is if his beliefs about himself are aligned with the ultimate truth of God’s word. This can be tough, in a society of gender fluidity and cultural relativism.

Regularly discuss with your son what God’s word has to say about current events. Memorize scripture together about his identity in Christ. And pray for godly, positive male mentors to inspire him and show him what a life aligned with Jesus looks like.

To learn about raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Your son proudly shows you a new scrape on his knee, reporting that he had a bike wreck while riding down a hill. You grab a bandaid and shake your head. It’s your son’s fifth injury of the week! How can you keep him safe when he seems to crave and seek out risk?

First, encourage him to focus on one or two skills, like skateboarding or snow skiing. Secondly, enroll him in classes so that he learns how to minimize injuries. Of course, don’t forget the helmet, elbow pads, and prayer of protection. And lastly, remember that taking risks is actually crucial for your son’s brain development. Try to relax.

Oh– and buying bandaids in bulk might be a good idea, too.

To learn about raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.