Raising Godly Boys Minute

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 your son reads. Encourage him to dive into fascinating stories about missionaries and evangelists. Additionally, many explorers, inventors, and scientists have great testimonies of faith. Their stories of reliance on God are just as exciting as fiction.By inspiring your son through godly role models, you show him that the greatest adventure in life is found in following God.For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

It’s a sad fact that anxiety is attacking kids across the country. According to the Center for Disease Control, 7.1% of children have been diagnosed with anxiety. That’s around 4.4 million kids! There are many reasons for this anxiety, including fear of contracting COVID, worry about finding friends at school, and even dread about what the future holds.As a parent, it’s important to remind your son or daughter that even when the world feels out of control, we can have confidence that God reigns supreme.Joshua 1:9 says,“Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”What a wonderful promise that God loves us and takes care of us. For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Two simple words strike terror in a parent’s heart. Those words are: “Assembly Required.”And yet, too often we ignore the instruction manual when putting together a bike or race car track for our son. We think, “Yeah, I can do this by myself!” But after hours of frustration, we swallow our pride and study the instruction manual to assemble the toy.Parenting your son is also a complex process, especially these days with so many flashy distractions competing for his attention. Thankfully, God’s Word provides detailed instruction on how to guide your son in the way he should go. Take time to read The Book of Proverbs together. There you’ll learn practical wisdom about how God wants us to grow and develop along the pathway of life.For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Each day contains 1,440 minutes. That may seem like a bunch of time, but it passes by in a flash. The same can be said for weeks, and months, and even years. Time is passing quickly . . . that’s a fact. But here’s another fact: You don’t want to look back on your parenting years with regret. Don’t allow the busyness of life to pull you away from investing time and attention in your son. Because—before you know it—your son will be grown up and heading out into the world.Ephesians 5:16 reminds us to redeem the time because the days are evil. But how do we do this? Begin by making sure your priorities are properly focused. Then, be intentional in spending one-on-one time with your son. For more parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Statistics indicate that girls struggle with self-image problems more than boys. But if it’s your son that’s hurting because he doesn’t like how he looks, statistics don’t matter. You just want to help your son.Compounding the problem are social media sites promoting their version of what is physically attractive and culturally trendy. When boys compare themselves with these unrealistic expectations, feelings of inadequacy can cause them to sink into depression.Help your son develop a proper understanding of true self-worth. Remind him that 1 Timothy 2:4 says that we are “chosen by God and precious.”As you guide your son through life, focus his attention on the Savior, and away from social media sites that batter his self-esteem.To combat negative influences, consider getting involved in healthy outdoor activities. For more information, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

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 in the backyard or a local park can go a long way toward encouraging this engagement, think about creating camping and hiking experiences that go beyond the ordinary. Maybe find your way to an outdoor Christian Boys organization like Trail Life that makes this part easy!For more tips on helping your son grow physically, mentally, and spiritually, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

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 greater the risk of wearing yourself out and failing to fulfill your most important responsibilities. Finding that balance between work and family life can be really hard. The key, though, is determining your priorities and then pursuing only those activities that contribute toward your overall goals.But remember, you’ll never go wrong by investing time and attention in your kids. For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

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 life, you are in a key position to warn him of unseen hazards. Use your own personal experiences to point him in the right direction. But make sure you also emphasize the importance of God’s Word. The Bible offers your son practical guidance in navigating the seas of life.Help your son stay on course. For more information and parenting resources, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

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 friends to be perfect, they should exhibit a general attitude of respect and obedience to authority.Do you know who your son’s friends are? Are they a good influence, or do they display destructive behaviors that are holding him back?By helping your son know how to choose good friends, you provide an atmosphere of growth and development. For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or Raising GodlyBoys.com

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, wrap your arms around him and give him a giant hug. Remind him that he is of tremendous value to you AND to the Almighty God of the universe.Trials and challenges are a natural part of life, but together, you and your son can bring them to God in prayer. For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

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% of teens have watched porn by age 18. Those images are destroying their ability to form lasting relationships—including a proper relationship with the Lord.What’s your son watching on his phone? Have you installed filtering software on all digital devices? Have you had a heart-to-heart talk with him about how to resist temptation? These discussions aren’t easy, but your son is worth it.For helpful resources, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

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 guard and drown him in addiction.Despite worldly winds and the ungodly cultural current, teach your son to stay anchored to the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Studying God’s Word will keep him anchored to the Rock of his salvation. In today’s swirling storm of bad influences, your son needs positive role models. Are you providing him an atmosphere for spiritual growth? For more encouraging parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

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 keep our kids longer during a specific season of development. But if we are wise, we will guide our children as they transition from one season to the next, from one area of growth to another. For information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

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, . . . emotionally, . . . and spiritually.In Matthew 11:28, our Savior says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”What a great reminder that our help comes from the Lord. We can rest in the assurance that He will strengthen us to continue on.For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

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, here’s something else you should do. Remind your son that God makes no mistakes. We are His workmanship—wonderfully created in His image. To help emphasize this fact, study the Bible with your son to learn of God’s care and compassion for us all. As you invest time and attention in your son, he will realize how valued and loved he really is.For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Boys love roller coasters. A popular one is called “Mako.” It towers 200 feet high and races through the air at 73 miles per hour.That’s a crazy ride, but parenting boys can be even more scary—or exciting—depending on how you look at it. Maybe your son begins wanting his own space. Then, the next day, he wants to spend all the time in the world with you. Even when the parenting roller coaster feels out of control, take heart. The Lord has entrusted your son into your care. He knows YOU are the best person to guide him through life’s journey.Just like a roller coaster, parenting races by in a flash. Despite its ups and downs, take time to enjoy the ride.For more parenting suggestions, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Parenting boys is tough. Parenting teenage guys is 100 times tougher! Or at least it can feel like it.When your teenage son challenges your authority, when he blatantly disobeys, or when he rolls his eyes at your advice—it’s natural to feel frustrated.It’s easy to think, “Why me? Why do I have a son that acts like this?”In these moments of crisis, take heart. Remember that the Lord makes NO mistakes.In His divine wisdom, the Lord chose YOU to be your son’s parent. That’s a tremendous responsibility. And because the Lord called you to this important task, He will continue to equip and strengthen you for the job.Raising teenage boys isn’t easy. Fortunately, you’re not alone. Visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com to learn about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men.

Who is your son’s hero? Is he a sports star? An actor? A musician?As you guide your son through today’s popstar-infatuated culture, encourage him to study the lives of godly men who displayed courage, service, and devotion.Introduce your son to heroes of the faith found in Hebrews 11. There he’ll read about ordinary people who were used by God in extraordinary ways. Your son will be captivated when he reads about men who escaped the edge of the sword, who endured torture, who were imprisoned for their faith, and who conquered kingdoms.Living for God isn’t easy. But these heroes of the faith remind us that God provides the strength and help to do what is right.For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

How important is a firm foundation?The construction of an eight floor tower began in 1173 AD. The design and architecture was considered genius. But the foundation was not properly tested. After the first three floors were constructed, it was discovered the tower was leaning!You guessed it … this was the famed “Leaning Tower of Pisa.”A firm foundation is of vital importance in a boy’s life. When the foundation of God’s Word is removed, boys tend to lean in the direction of constantly shifting societal norms.What kind of foundation is your boy being built upon? Make sure you’re raising him up on the firm foundation of God’s Word. “All other ground is sinking sand.”For ideas on how to grow boys into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or raisinggodlyboys.com.

Have you ever heard of the 'seat grip"?For decades now, fathers have taught their sons how to ride a bike using the “seat grip” technique. The father holds the bike upright by firmly gripping the back of the seat while running along behind the bike. The son steers and pedals confidently knowing Dad is behind him, holding him up.Finally, the day comes when Dad removes his grip. The boy is pedaling and steering on his own, but doesn’t realize it. He still thinks Dad is supporting him.How do you raise a boy to become a godly man? You hold him up when he’s young and vulnerable, but you let him feel what it’s like to steer and pedal by himself. When the timing is right, and confidence has been built, you release your grip.For ideas on how to grow your boy’s confidence, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.