Raising Godly Boys Minute

Latest Episodes:

#338: Succeed to Succeed Mar 23, 2023

Show notes

Boys need to succeed in order to succeed.
Yes, you heard that right. This is why boys and young men can sometimes get stuck in cycles of failure when it comes to their schoolwork or relationships.
Here’s an example. If your son is struggling in school, don’t try to improve his grades in every subject overnight. First, identify the subject he is most interested in or good at– whether that’s gym or science– and help him improve that one grade first. Once that grade starts to get better, you can almost guarantee that your son will start to feel more motivated to do better in school overall.
Positive motivation and reward for a small job done well will always motivate your son.
For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#337: Transformers Mar 22, 2023

Show notes

When you were a kid, did you ever play with transformers?
Boys love the way those cars and trucks transform into really cool robots. Plus, the storyline of Autobots battling it out against the evil Decepticons is exciting.
You probably don’t play with transformers anymore, but in some ways, you’re still like a transformer. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Are you teaching your son to stand strong against the world’s deceit? Victory over evil is only possible when we allow the Lord to transform our hearts and minds.
So, how’s that transformation process coming along? Take time today to pray and read the Bible with your son. Together, you both can transform into something extraordinary.
For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#336:Terrific Texts Mar 21, 2023

Show notes

Do you use your phone to send text messages?
According to statistics, around 80% of Americans do. Those text messages are often sent to family, friends, and co-workers. And now, more than ever, millions of children also carry a smart phone.
If you’ve decided to provide your son a phone, make sure he uses it responsibly. But in addition to that, use text messaging as a way to connect with him. If you’re out of town during one of his sporting events or other activities, send a quick text:
Hey buddy. You’re in my thoughts and prayers. Just want you to know that I’m so proud of you!
A text message doesn’t take long to type, but the encouragement it provides lasts for days.
For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#335: Singled Minded Mar 20, 2023

Show notes

Ask your son what his perfect afternoon would entail. He will most likely give a very simple answer– such as hours spent playing video games, or fishing. Why?
Everyone’s brain has something called a corpus collosum [kul-oh’-some] that connects the left and right hemispheres. In males, the corpus collosum is much smaller than those in females. This is why girls tend to enjoy multitasking, and boys usually prefer focusing on one task a time.
Keep this design in mind each time you plan your son’s week. Avoid packing his schedule with long days full of various activities, and instead let him spend chunks of time focused on one activity, whether that’s perfecting his hockey skills or practicing target shooting. His male brain will thank you.
To learn about the five critical needs of boys, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#334: St. Patrick's Day Lesson Mar 17, 2023

Show notes

On this St. Patrick’s Day, there’s a lesson your son can learn from the holiday’s namesake.
While the story of St. Patrick is pretty disputed among historians, many believe he was taken prisoner at age 16 and forced to work as a shepherd for years. During those years, he leaned into his Christianity, and became very close with God. It’s also believed that he started thinking about being a missionary during that time.
Growing up is difficult, so your son is likely frustrated with something in his life right now. Maybe he wishes for more freedom, more resources, or less homework. Talk with him about how God uses the “waiting” periods of her life– just like St. Patrick during his imprisonment– to teach us discipline and bring us closer to Him.
To learn about the 5 critical needs of boys as they grow up, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#333: Outside Your Home Mar 16, 2023

Show notes

You’re a parent inside the walls of your home. But what about outside those walls?
Of course, your primary obligation is to parent your own son. But, for better or worse, your son’s friends and peers can have a greater impact on him than you do. So how can you positively influence the whole group?
It’s as simple as being involved in your community. Volunteer at church to teach Sunday School. Coach your son’s soccer team. Join a big brother/big sister program. Or you could even volunteer to be a Trail Life USA leader.
You don’t have to be perfect to positively influence the next generation of men. You just have to show up and show love not only in your home, but outside of it.
For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#332: Freedom to Fail Mar 15, 2023

Show notes

Did you know that Michael Jordan, considered by many to be the greatest basketball player ever, missed 12,345 field goals in his Hall of Fame career?
He said, “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
Wayne Gretzky, the NHL’s all-time leading scorer, put it this way: “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”
In today’s culture, risk and competition are often removed from boys’ environments. They lose interest when there isn’t anything at stake. So, they think, “Why should I try?”
As parents and mentors trying to raise godly boys, we need to provide challenging opportunities that let boys fail, recover, and eventually succeed.
For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#331: Move the Stick Mar 14, 2023

Show notes

Colton, a toddler, was riding his toy car when he ran into a stick. His mom watched from behind as Colton got more and more frustrated, but he was stuck.
“Hm,” his mom said,“Is there anything you can do to move the stick?” Colton thought for a minute, then climbed off his car. He beamed with pride when he moved the stick and sailed past it.
When our sons face obstacles in life, it’s tempting to swoop in and remove whatever is in the way. But if we constantly do that, we are failing our boys. By letting them problem solve in age-appropriate ways, we can not only develop their critical thinking skills, but also greatly improve their confidence. So go ahead– encourage your son to move the stick himself.
For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#330: Men are Good Mar 13, 2023

Show notes

Are men inherently bad?
Of course not. Genesis 1:27 tells us that God created both male and female in His own image.
But there’s a troubling narrative in our society right now that masculinity is toxic. So how can we as Christians fight this damaging idea?
First, we can affirm, not punish, the natural masculine traits that appear in our sons– such as being high energy and risk seeking. Second, we can help our sons find positive dad-like men as examples. And third, we can keep an open line of discussion going with our sons about how masculinity is portrayed in music, TV shows, and social media.
Being a man can be difficult in this day and age. Let’s show our sons that God made men for a divine purpose.
To learn about the 5 critical needs of boys, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#329: Male/Female Difference Mar 10, 2023

Show notes

Here’s a controversial yet obvious truth– men and women are different!
A quick look at brain science supports this fact. The connections between neurons in the male brain are more condensed than in a female brain. That’s why men tend to focus on the bigger picture while women focus on details. Men use more grey brain matter, which makes them task oriented, while women use more white matter, which contributes to being more language oriented.
In this society that often tries to pit women against men, and calls masculinity “toxic,” it’s crucial that our sons understand that there’s a reason for these differences. Make sure your son has a positive father-figure in his life to help him understand what healthy manhood looks like.
For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected