Raising Godly Boys Minute

Cultures all around the world have rituals to signify a boy becoming a man, and they range from straightforward to extreme. Some societies have young men go on a hunt. In one small country, a boy participates in a primitive form of bungee jumping. In another, he must successfully jump over a cow to prove his manhood. Others simply send their sons into the wilderness to survive.

Although those rituals sound bizarre to us here in the US, our boys still desperately need challenges to build their maturity and self-confidence.

One way to do that is to get your son outside! Activities like mountain climbing and archery are excellent opportunities for your son to gain life skills and feel like a true man.

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

Do you remember the day your son took his first step? Perhaps he had already been standing for a few weeks while holding onto the couch. But at some point, he took a wobbly step toward your outstretched arms. You clapped and cheered and gave him a giant hug.

Learning to walk is a key milestone in a boy’s physical development. But learning to walk worthy is just as important for a boy’s spiritual development. If your son has accepted Christ as his personal Savior, teach him to honor the Lord through his words, thoughts, and actions.

Colossians 1:10 is an excellent verse for you and your son to memorize together. It reminds us to “walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him . . .”

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

Boys love action and adventure. That’s why paddling a canoe across a lake or along a river is a time-tested way to exercise their minds and bodies.

But have you ever heard the phrase “Up a creek without a paddle”? It refers to being in a difficult or dangerous situation where you can’t get yourself out of the problem or predicament.

As your son grows up, don’t let him be stranded “Up a creek without a paddle.” Trials and challenges will try to sink his boat. Turbulent waters will try to knock him off course. But by teaching your son how to manage stress, learn new life skills, and seek God’s guidance, you’ll prepare him to navigate choppy waters to reach the shore of success.

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

“Trust your instruments.” This mantra is repeated all through flight school. While flying, it’s easy to get disoriented visually, especially in thick fog. Pilots must learn to trust their gauges, not their vision.

Boys today are also “flying through fog,” so to speak. In the confusion of cultural relativism and gender fluidity, young men don’t know where they are or where they are going. So they often choose their own course, or refuse to move at all.

As parents, we must help our son gain a solid foundation and understanding of God’s Word. Involve your boy in organizations that are founded on Biblical truth. Help him find a positive, godly mentor. And encourage your boy to memorize Scripture– the only “instrument” that will never fail him.

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

What does a cactus have to do with your son?

The saguaro cactus is an amazing desert plant. It stretches high into the air like a telephone pole, reaching heights of 40 feet or more.

But did you know that this colossal cactus grows slowly? It isn’t unusual for it to be 2-inches tall on its 10th birthday. Soon after, the saguaro begins growing faster and keeps up this steady growth until eventually towering over other cacti species.

Maybe your son is like the saguaro. Maybe he’s a slow learner at home or at school. Sure, it’s fine to get your son extra tutoring help, but it’s important to realize that we all have different rates of physical, mental, social, and even spiritual growth. The key is to continue growing—little by little and day by day.

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