Raising Godly Boys Minute

Turkey anyone?

Most Americans celebrate Thanksgiving by enjoying a delicious feast. The menu usually includes things like green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, corn, dinner rolls, and cranberry sauce.

But the most iconic Thanksgiving food is turkey.

This Thanksgiving, after you’ve gobbled down your meal and two slices of pumpkin pie, don’t be a turkey! Even though you may be tempted to watch football all afternoon, don’t! Instead take a break to enjoy the outdoors with your son. Toss a ball in the back yard. Go for a bike ride. Or if there’s snow on the ground, build a snow fort.

Use the Thanksgiving season to show your son just how thankful you are for him. As you spend time together, you’ll create new traditions and make wonderful memories.

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

Here’s a quiz question: The day after Thanksgiving is known as what?

If you answered, “Black Friday,” you’re absolutely right. That’s when many stores advertise incredible sales—and people willingly gobble up the savings.

Even though it’s nice to score a bargain, don’t let the commercialization of the holiday season distract you with all its gizmos and gadgets.

In Luke 12:15, Jesus reminds us that “one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

That’s a tough lesson for boys to understand, especially when other kids flaunt the newest video game system or stylish clothes. But by focusing your son’s attention on Christ and helping him realize that “things” don’t guarantee happiness, the attraction of new, sparkly toys will soon fade away.

Guide your son in becoming a godly man. For more information, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Who are your son’s heroes?

Many boys admire the superheroes they see in movies, or the athletes that make crowds jump to their feet in awe and wonder.

It’s one thing for boys to wish they could fly through the air or dunk a basketball
. But point out real-life superheroes that make our lives a better place.

People like police officers, firefighters, and military servicemen should be admired because of their selfless service in maintaining law and order and ensuring our safety.

When you see these men and women around, teach your son to show them respect. Encourage your son to shake hands with them and say thanks for all that they do. By demonstrating your own gratitude, you help your son understand that not all superheroes wear capes.

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

When you ask a boy to do something, and he asks “why?” is your typical response: “Because I said so”?

If we want to raise godly boys, we must try to include the “why” behind the “what.”
As parents or mentors to boys, we should be more concerned with their heart transformation than behavior modification.

The best thing we can do is point boys to Scripture, which provides an unmoving foundation for character to be built upon.

Let’s remember Ephesians 6:4, which says, “Do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

For more information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase, “Grow up. Be a man!”

The rebuke is usually directed toward a boy who is being whiny or acting childish. But being a man involves much more than simply reaching a certain age.

1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

Becoming a man involves physical, mental, and spiritual growth. All three aspects are necessary in achieving a balanced lifestyle that honors the Lord.

So, how are you doing in helping your son in these areas?

Guide your son in becoming a godly man. Learn about a Proven Process that is helping parents accomplish this. For more information, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

How about creating a regular meeting time with your son?

For years, every weekday morning, Pastor John Tyson and his son Nate would get up and do a devotional together. They called it their early morning meetings– and Tyson says it blessed both of them immensely.

You can adopt this practice with your own boy. Use your morning drive time to listen and discuss a Bible passage together.  Or, choose a devotional book, and read it together each night before your son goes to bed.

Your son may not talk much during these meetings, especially at first. But I can promise you that God will bless your time together. All you have to do is show up.

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

Ever wonder if your discipline and teaching is really resonating with your son?

Mandy, the mom of a defiant 2-year-old, had been diligently trying to teach her son to clean with a broom and dustpan. But even after lots of repetition, he didn’t seem to be learning it at all. One night, during a temper tantrum, her son threw food on the floor. Mandy couldn’t believe it when her son got a broom and dustpan and cleaned up his own mess.

Parenting your son is really just teaching him the same lesson hundreds– if not thousands– of times. It may seem like your boy isn’t getting it. But don’t lose heart. As Galatians 6:9 says, “you will be rewarded…if you don’t give up.”

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

Your son can learn from your inconveniences.

Jack and his son were driving to football practice when they got a flat tire. By the time they had put on the spare, driven to the mechanic, and replaced the tire, Jack’s son had completely missed his practice. Jack felt bad– but he was grateful his son now knew how to handle a flat tire.

When you experience things like car trouble or house maintenance issues– make sure your son observes how you handle them. More than just learning the practical skills, he needs to see how you handle the challenges of life. So next time you experience an inconvenience– remember your son is learning from your every move.

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

You don’t have to get it perfect. But you do have to get it right.

Raising a son can be one of the hardest experiences of your life. And it’s very easy to focus on all the ways you fall short. Although God never commands you to be a perfect parent– He does give some guidelines.

Ephesians says not to provoke your son. Proverbs reminds you to be diligent in discipline. Deuteronomy encourages you to regularly discuss Scripture with your boy. And of course, we should also pay close attention to the verses about doing all things with love and a gentle spirit.

On the days when you mess up, ask God for grace, ask your son for forgiveness, and keep moving forward. God will give you what you need.

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

Are you raising a “man–ager”?

Pastor Jon Tyson coined this phrase, which describes a man who is physically an adult but still living like a child– playing video games all night, living with his parents, and not pursuing higher education or a stable career.

Pastor Tyson says that one of the biggest things that separates a boy from a man is the confidence to pursue hard things in life.

As your son grows up, be sure to allow him to face difficulties, even in situations when you could easily solve the situation yourself. Your goal is not to give your son an easy, pain-free life– but to give him the skills and confidence he needs to do difficult, worthwhile things, and contribute to society and God’s greater kingdom.

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