Raising Godly Boys Minute

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#959: Packing for Success Aug 08, 2025

Show notes

If you’ve ever gone backpacking in the great outdoors, you know the importance of bringing the right equipment. You pack a tent, not a tire. You pack matches, not a microwave.
Similarly, when your son heads off to school, make sure he packs the right characteristics. This includes:

Honesty—to complete his own work instead of cheating off others.
Respect—to see people for who they really are, no matter what they look like.
Gratitude—to thank teachers for giving of their time and talent.
Kindness—to make life better when challenges arise. And …
Courage—to stand up and do right, no matter what.

By packing these important virtues, your son can confidently climb the academic mountain while also enjoying the journey.
For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#958: Walk Worthy Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

Does your walk match your talk?

Nobody likes “fake,” hypocritical people. As a Christian father figure and mentor, you need to live out of your faith authentically because people are constantly watching you.

I heard about a man who heard that his Christian co-worker had an accident at work. After asking if he was OK, his next question was, “Did he cuss?”

How you act is equally as important as what you believe. How is your walk with Jesus right now?

Trail Life USA’s motto is “Walk Worthy.” Be careful how you live daily so “that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

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

#957: Family Time Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

How can we parents create margin in our families to build unity?

Play games together. Make a collection of board games. Develop the habit of occasionally clearing the table for game night. As children get older, families can invest in games that take longer to play. Playing board games allows for lots of interaction and often leads to laughter!

Read to your children. Build the expectation into your family that everyone should be readers. Provide age-appropriate material for your children. The local library is a wonderful resource that can be used again and again. There is a time to say, “OK, we’ve watched enough television, and you’ve spent enough time on electronics. Let’s spend some time reading?”

We are making choices today that will affect our children tomorrow.
For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#956: Learning to Serve Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

How do we raise servants?
Children learn how to serve others in part by watching adults serve. Serving others includes stepping up to the plate and stepping out to meet needs.
An older pastor said, “When our children were young, I pastored a small church with no other children or activities. My kids were part of starting new groups, ministries, and opportunities. None of that was handed to them. Today, as adults, they are leaders and servants. I think being required to serve at church made them the people they are today.”
We should look for ways to teach children to serve. We remember Jesus said He came not to be served but to serve.
They are people who don’t just watch what’s happening. They make things happen.
For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#955: Learning from the Lost Boys Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

We can learn something valuable about our sons from Peter Pan.
In her book Boy Talk, child psychologist Dr. Mary Polce-Lynch makes an observation about the Lost Boys in the story of Peter Pan.
These boys are seemingly living the dream. They have no parents, and no school– just adventures all day long. But interestingly, they still long for one childhood comfort– the bedtime story.
As your son grows up, it’s important that you let him be a boy. But even while he’s pursuing his masculine tendencies, don’t forget that he needs emotional nurturing, too. Take a few minutes for a hug– or sit and eat a snack with him. Your “lost boy” may not admit it, but he still needs those moments in the midst of all of his adventures.
To learn about the five critical needs of boys, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#954: Embrace Adventure Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

How can we raise boys who love adventure?
Here are a few simple ways to encourage boys to not always play it safe but develop their God-given spirit of bravery:
Encourage outdoor family activities that involve a healthy level of risk. Whitewater rafting, tubing on rivers, and waterfall hiking are a few.
Selectively allow children to oversee their own projects. It’s messy and not “perfect,” but they can own it.
Enjoy adventurous yard toys like zip-lines and trampolines. We can’t always play it safe!
Plan vacations to new places. Try different cities, restaurants, and entertainment.
As God shapes the lives of our children, He can use the raw material of learning to take risks and mold them into people who change their worlds!
For information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#953: In His Hands Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

Do you remember the song “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”?

The song’s lyrics talk about God, saying:

He’s got the wind and the rain in his hands.
He’s got the little, tiny baby in his hands.
He’s got you and me, brother, in his hands.
He’s got you and me, sister, in his hands.
He’s got everybody here in his hands.

The Bible says God holds on to us with his “righteous right hand.”

This image shows us God’s power – and our utter helplessness and dependency on him. But you have no reason to fear because of God’s promised protection.

So, while things may get messy and scary, you can rest assured that God will always hold you in his hands.

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

#952: Blending Emotions Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

Is your son able to “blend” his emotions?
When going on a hike, you bring along a bar that contains a mix of protein, carbs, and healthy fats, since your body needs different nutrients to stay healthy.
In the same way, Child psychologist Dr. Mary Polce-Lynch says that healthy development in boys includes teaching them that they can feel seemingly conflicting emotions at the same time. For instance, when your son is sad about not making the soccer team, he may also feel relieved that he will have more free time. Or when he’s angry at his dad, he still will feel love towards his dad at the same time.
This “blending” of emotions doesn’t come naturally, but is an essential skill that you can teach with some simple intentionality.
For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#951: Faith Over Fear Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

What are you most afraid of?
According to a 2014 Washington Post article, fear of public speaking was America's biggest phobia, with 25.3 percent of the people saying they were afraid of speaking in front of a crowd.
A 2022 study listed “corrupt government officials” as Americans’ biggest fear.
With the world seemingly spinning out of control, we can easily allow fear and anxiety to paralyze us.
While some fears are justified, we cannot let them to rob us of the peace God provides.
Remember the charge that Moses gave to Joshua: “You shall not fear them, for it is the LORD your God who fights for you” (Deuteronomy 3:22).
No matter what you are facing, don’t focus on your fear. Instead, focus on God’s promises, provision, and power. He is faithful!
For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#950: Disappointment and Discouragement Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

Does your son struggle in math class? Did he miss the big play on the sports field that would have won the game?
Failures and fiascos will trip up your son. You wish he’d only see success, but that’s unrealistic. Even when we try our very best, disappointment and discouragement can still strike. And when it does, your son may experience frustration and exasperation. These are normal human emotions, but we don’t have to give in to them.
Instead, remind your son that failures don’t define who he is. If he has accepted Christ as his savior, he is a child of the King. Because of that, your son is of incredible worth to God. And that’s way more important than any school grade or sports event.
For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

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