Raising Godly Boys Minute

How fast can a riptide kill you?Matthew was about to find out.  Caught in a riptide off the coast, he watched the shoreline grow further away as he exhausted himself fighting against the current.  Weak and in despair, he suddenly remembered his training, and swam a short twenty feet out of the current, where he was able to float, recover his strength, and swim back to shore.Today's toxic culture wants to drag your children far away, and fighting the culture is exhausting and demoralizing.  Give them the tools to recognize the current and swim out of it, and they'll find an entire ocean ready to explore and adventure in.  You can do it.  It's a challenging task, and the blessings last forever.For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

How can you teach your son how to have a relationship with Jesus?  A parent of a prodigal child was reflecting on his kid's growing up years, and said, quote: “I've realized that we raised our children in church, but not in Christ.” [end quote]How can we teach our boys to abide in Jesus? First, we have to make sure our own walk with the Lord is growing. Second, encourage your son to not just attend a church service, but also join a small group and serve in a ministry. And finally, let your son have his own relationship with God. He might not connect with God exactly how you do. Trust that our clever Creator will speak to your son on His own terms. For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Has your son ever wanted to be a knight?Plastic swords and armor strewn about his room, breastplate dangling from his bedpost, and picture books of Teutonic knights adorn many a boy's room.What is it about righting wrongs, defeating evil tyrants and rescuing the innocent that calls out to a boy?The Bible says, “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.”  God teaches us a desire to save the helpless and see righteousness prevail in his word.Affirm your son's desires to do right, to help save others and to rescue the perishing.  You may be amazed at the size of his heart for helping others.For information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

How does a boy learn right from wrong?Sometimes, boys can learn more from our mistakes than from our teaching.  Brian had just finished teaching ax and saw safety to a troop of boys eager to build towers and rope bridges.  While loading his equipment, he carelessly tossed a saw that bounced and rolled to within a foot of the boys he had just taught about safety.Everyone froze.  They all stared as he pulled out his wood tools safety card, and handed it to the 14-year-old troop leader, who tore it up and said he would have to take the safety course again!Brian graciously accepted the consequences from a boy leader.  All the boys learned that day that real men accept responsibility.For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Do you know where the world's tallest skyscraper is located?At an incredible height of 2,722 feet (just over half a mile), Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, is almost 500 feet taller than the second-tallest skyscraper.If you want to build high, you must first dig deep and build a foundation below the surface. As a parent, grandparent, or mentor, you can help build a deep and firm biblical foundation for children. A child's foundation of faith is best built by purposefully and consistently sharing God's truths with them through what you say and do.Use the time you have with them to teach them God's Word and how it applies to their lives.For more information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Have you ever seen good advice ignored, with hilarious results?I heard about a boy who camped with a new group of friends in a campground he knew well.  It flooded frequently, and was nicknamed, “The Swamp.”  All of the adults and other boys ignored his advice to camp on higher ground, and they pitched their tents in the easy, sandy soil.Finding the highest ground, he slept through the night to the lullaby sound of rhythmic drumming rain, and woke to find the camp a wet, soggy shambles, while he was high and dry.Many times, easiest is not best, and it is good to listen to the voice of experience.For information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Here's an idea to connect with your son: show him your high school yearbook. First, let him make fun of your outdated haircut and clothes. Show him the picture of your basketball team, and the page where it says you were voted class clown. Next, show him pictures of your friends. Talk about what friendships ended and which ones have lasted through the years. And finally, talk about the power of choices. Be honest about what you're proud of and what you regret. Share about your relationship with your own parents at that time. Show your son how God used both the good and the bad for His own glory in your life. After all, as the verse in Revelation reminds us, we overcome through the word of our testimony. For more ideas on raising boys to become godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Why is there an attack on biblical manhood?All around us, the very idea of a man as a devout father, provider, and hard worker is ridiculed and torn down.  A spineless, conforming, weak-willed androgyne is modeled, and we are told to sacrifice our sons to modern culture.How can you keep your son safe from these attacks?Model godly character.  What he sees in you, he will follow.Provide godly mentors.  Show him a standard he can trust and hold.Give him a challenge.  Overcoming small challenges like a canoe trip, daily spiritual disciplines, a rock-climbing adventure, or a mountain peak will give him the confidence to go against the grain and become a godly man of character.For more information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

“In a thousand feet, turn left.” Imagine that you're driving in a town you've never visited before. The GPS on your phone is telling you what turns you need to make.  But suddenly, your phone's battery dies. Without your GPS, you feel lost, alone, and you wonder if you'll even make it to your desired destination. That “lost”  feeling is what many young men experience in our society today. In the confusion of cultural relativism, mixed roles, and gender fluidity, boys don't know who they are supposed to be. The solution is that boys need two things– a biblical foundation, and godly mentors. With those two things, boys can develop confidence and direction, so they can learn to navigate the unfamiliar interstate of life. For more ideas on raising boys to become godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Why do boys love adventure?Mark Twain said, “There comes a time in every rightly constructed boy's life that he has a raging desire to go somewhere and dig for hidden treasure.”The search for adventure drives some boys to video games, where they can conquer kingdoms and gain virtual accolades.  Others find their adventures in sports.But deep down, the call of the woods, the wild, the mountains and the seashore live deep in all young boys.You can feed that desire and strengthen the bond with your son at the same time.  Take him on a wilderness adventure, or hike to a waterfall, or camp in the woods by a crackling fire amidst the lightning bugs.  Lead him on his adventure!For information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Doesn't it seem like the more you want your son to talk, the less he will?Of course, some boys are talkative. But generally speaking, your son is not going to volunteer a lot of information about his day. One reason is biological. Males have fewer language centers in their brain than females, and process things internally. Your son may also feel the pressure from you to share, and is backing away because he feels like he just isn't going to be able to give you enough.Here are a few ways to get your son to open up. First, try shoulder-to-shoulder instead of face to face communication. Some boys relax more when they're walking or sitting beside you in a car, and share more. Second, allow silence. You may just be talking too much yourself. And third, lower the pressure and lower your expectations. For more ideas for raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

What makes worship, worship?Jesus defined worship for the Woman of Samaria at Jacob's well in John 4:23 and 24. “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”We should teach our children to worship God wherever they are, not just at church.What matters most in worship?  The posture of our hearts and minds. He should be our focus. Locations and details change, but He is eternal and unchanging.Let's lead our boys to worship God “in spirit and truth.”For more information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

If you ask your son what it means to be brave, what would he say? Your son would probably answer that bravery is entering a dangerous situation or saving  someone's life– and that's true. But in this day and age when depression and suicide rates of teenage boys are at a crisis point, your son needs to know that there's another way to be brave– asking for help. Give your son small exercises in asking for help in everyday life– with his homework, with his chores, or at public places. Model getting help when you need it yourself. And when your son comes to you with a problem, be sure to listen with a nonjudgmental attitude. Remind him that even the Savior of the world– Jesus– cried out for help to his own Father. To learn about the 5 critical needs of boys, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Where should a boy turn to when he needs wisdom?Today, through the internet and other sources, there is more information available than ever before.But the best source of information and wisdom is found in a book written thousands of years ago — the Bible. The book of Proverbs is especially powerful when it comes to seeking wisdom.We often think we need a “life hack” to navigate life's most difficult situations. But all we need is God's Word and His Spirit living in us.If you or your son needs wisdom today, turn to Proverbs and ask God for His help. He delights in giving it in abundance.For more information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Here's a startling statistic: The average iPhone screen time for an adult in the United States is around seven hours each day. But the average amount of time a parent spends with their child is only about two hours a day. Here are some screen-free ideas for connecting with your son today. Make banana splits with your boy. Build a lego garage for his cars. Campout in the living room. Have him help you make a family photo album. Find a nontraditional holiday online, and celebrate it together. Turn on some music, and find different things around the house to drum on. Whatever it is, put your phone down and spend some quality time with your son today. You will both enjoy the benefits. For ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Do you remember when someone gave you bad advice? Did you take it? If so, what were the results?When seeking advice, who or what can you trust?The most trustworthy source of truth is the Bible. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.The best first step in all situations is going to God and asking for His guidance. Seeking advice from family, friends, co-workers, pastors, counselors, and others isn't wrong, especially from fellow Christians who know the Word.But seek God first and teach boys to do likewise, making sure that any human advice agrees with the Source of Truth, Jesus Christ.For more information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

His face was shattered– and so were his dreams. When James Clear was in high school, he had big plans to be a baseball star. But one day, he was hit in the face with a baseball bat, and suffered a brain injury. That's when James discovered a powerful concept. As he recovered, he began to hone in on the small habits in his life, then started to work on his baseball skills again. Years later, James made ESPN's All-American player list, and now credits the small habits for the reason for his success. Share this story with your teen boy today. Remind him that the little, monotonous habits– like making his bed– are really a training ground for challenges he'll face later in life. For more ideas on raising boys to become godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Do you hear voices?There are many voices in the world competing for our attention, but none can compare to the voice of the Lord. God speaks to His children, sometimes audibly, but mostly through His Word, the Bible.Are you listening for and to God's voice? Or are you letting worldly voices silence Him?How can you recognize God's voice? In John 10:27, Jesus said, “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow me.”God's voice will never contradict His Word. And when we hear God's voice, we need to obey Him.Let's teach boys to recognize and heed God's voice before any other voices.For more information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Rachel's six-year- old son loves to play t-ball. He admires his coach and enjoys carrying around his bat. But there is one thing he loves more than anything else– his bright green uniform. There's a reason for this. As young men grow up and learn to navigate social settings, they are always asking three questions– “Who is with me?” “Who is in charge?” And, “What is our mission?”On sports teams, the uniform is a symbolic answer to those questions. In life, it's not always so clear. It's up to us as parents to help our son find positive peers, such as in a church setting; introduce him to godly mentors and dad-like figures; and remind him to live for an audience of One– and glorify his Creator. For more ideas on raising boys to become godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Do you remember the last time your child lied to you and how it made you feel?According to research, parents are the primary victims of lying, with 86 percent of lies being told to them.Kids often believe they are clever enough to fool their parents, but fathers and mothers usually see right through their lies.Parents are not as easily deceived as children think. Most of the time, the truth is clear and will come out sooner or later.We should remind our children that God is omniscient. He knows everything we say and do. Telling the truth may be hard sometimes, but honesty, truly, is the best policy.For more information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

“Do yourself a favor. Take a kid fishing.” That's a quote from a man named Frank White, who produced a show called Southern Sportsman. He would say those words at the end of every broadcast. Psychologists would agree with his suggestion. Fishing gives your son an opportunity to be outside, practice problem-solving skills, and connect with others. One study even found that combat veterans who went to a fly fishing retreat slept better and showed less symptoms of stress. It's fairly easy and cheap to get started. Many public libraries have rods and reels to check out for free. Go to your state's game and fish department website and find a local body of water. Then, cast a line out with your son, and  marvel together at God's amazing creation. For more ideas to raise boys to become godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

How can you tell if someone needs encouragement?If they are breathing, according to Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A.Children can easily and quickly become discouraged, especially when tired or stressed, and become negative, self-critical, and depressed.The Bible mentions “encouragement” a lot, including Hebrews 3:13, which tells us to “encourage each other daily.”You can create an encouraging environment for your loved ones by building up and encouraging them more than criticizing and correcting them. Kids will know it is OK and safe to make mistakes and learn that God can use their failures to help them grow.Parents should be their family's CEO — Chief Encouragement Officers.For more information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Your teen boy is going through a lot of changes. You might need to change a bit, too. Of course, the fundamentals of godly parenting and discipline will stay the same. But as your son matures, it's important to take a step back and prayerfully consider that a change in approach may be helpful. For instance, a teen boy will most likely pull away from his mom and gravitate towards his dad. This is normal and healthy, and experts say to encourage that relationship. Many high school boys are also extremely hard on themselves and sensitive to criticism, so be sure to ramp up the encouragement and empathy. And finally, teen boys are dealing with a lot of hormones and emotions. Encourage your son to pursue healthy outlets, especially outdoor physical activity.To learn about the five critical needs of boys, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Have you heard the saying, “Life is better together”?The Bible puts it this way in Proverbs 27:17: As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.Here are five ways you can live out being better together as a family.Read together. Read the Bible and other books as a family.Learn together. Share what God is showing you as read His Word. Talk together. Talk about what God is doing in your life.Pray together. Thank God for all He's done for your family and pray for your family and other people.Memorize scripture together. Like the psalmist, let's hide God's Word in our hearts so that we will not sin against Him. For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

What can you give your children and grandchildren that won't cost you any money and will last forever?Parents and grandparents who teach their children and grandchildren to know, love and follow Jesus will leave a spiritual inheritance that will last for generations and into eternity.Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”Have you encouraged your children or grandchildren to follow God? Do you pray for them to know and love Him? If you do not have children, are there any kids in your church or neighborhood for whom you could regularly pray?For more information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

“What does successful parenting look like?”If you ask a group of parents this question, you would get a lot of different responses.Most parents want their kids to graduate high school and college, get a good job, get married, have children, and live “happily ever after.”As a parent, you can easily become focused on worldly success and helping your kids achieve the “American Dream,” but that's not the goal in Christian parenting.Your goal should be to raise your kids to know, love, and follow Jesus!If you raise your boys to love the LORD with all their heart, soul, and strength, you have achieved parenting success.For more information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Have you heard this saying? “Don't major in the minors.”We can easily get distracted in life and become consumed by things that don't really matter.Jesus often condemned the Pharisees for this type of behavior, giving them a stern lecture in Luke 11:42.“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.”Let's ask God to help us teach our boys to focus on the things that matter most: loving Him and loving our neighbors.For more information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

What should you do when your son disrespects you or someone else?Try to resist the urge to reprimand or correct him in public.When you are in private, calmly tell him that while you are sad that he chose to show dishonor or disrespect, this is an opportunity for him to grow, and you hope he will make a better choice the next time.Then be sure to commend him the next time you see him showing honor and respect.Remember that the best way for children to learn the value of honor and respect is to see you live it out, especially during disagreements.Values are indeed more caught than taught.Let's follow the Golden Rule by treating others the way we want to be treated.For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

In his book Bringing Up Boys, Dr. James Dobson compares parents of sons to a bug called a processionary caterpillar.  A scientist once tested these caterpillars by making them walk in a circle, with a food source in the middle of their circle. The caterpillars just kept following each other, instead of stopping to eat, and eventually died of starvation, right next to a food source. Dr. Dobson says parents of sons often follow other parents in the same way. They put their son in lots of activities, trying to help him keep up with his peers. But in reality, most of the time, what boys really need is to stop, take a rest, and connect with the source of true life– our Creator God. For more ideas on raising boys to become godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

You know who needs to see your mistakes? Your son. That's right.When you miss a work deadline or hurt a friend's feelings, let your son know. If handled properly, it can be a great training ground for your son. First, manage your emotions. If you're embarrassed or angry, take a deep breath or go on a walk to calm down. Next, explain what you did wrong. Share with your son how you're going to fix the problem, and what you've learned for the future. The world desperately needs your son to grow up to be a humble and responsible man. The best way to encourage that is to model it the best you can. Your transparency  will not only combat perfectionism— you'll also remind him that God's grace is sufficient for all of us. For more ideas for raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Maybe your son just needs a break. You only want the best for your son. You want to make sure he does well in school, eats reasonably well, makes friends, and participates in extracurriculars. And those are all wonderful things. But in this fast-paced society, don't forget to let your son take a break, as well. Schedule “down days,” where you don't have anything planned. Give your son long stretches of time where he can do whatever he wants. You might feel like a neglectful parent, but allowing your son to be bored will give him time to relax, play, and learn to manage his own time. When in doubt, just send him outside– he'll find something to do! For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Our boys are under attack. Boys have fallen behind girls in every academic category. Girls are now more likely to have a college education than boys, and boys are more likely to live at home longer and fail to launch into the world. As a parent, it can be discouraging to raise sons in a world that views masculinity as toxic. But by focusing on the five critical needs of boys, we can help our sons be strong, Godly men. First, boys need clear direction. Second, they need a safe male mentor. Third, they need boundaries. Fourth, they need risk, and finally, they need real-world challenges. With all five, boys have the tools they need to rise up in a world that is so determined to knock them down. To learn more about these five critical needs, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Have you heard this criticism of Christians? “They're so heavenly minded, they're no earthly good.”Focusing on the world to come doesn't mean that we are to leave the present world as it is, but everything we do, say, and teach our boys should be filtered through the lens of eternity. What are the Lord's instructions for you during your time here on Earth? Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself.Remember the refrain of British missionary C.T. Studd's famous poem: “Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.”For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

How can you help your children grow spiritually?Here are three ideas:Set an example for them. It's been said that when it comes to children, more is caught than taught. They'll see when you read your Bible and pray (and when you don't). And they'll notice how often you attend church and how important spiritual things are to you.Read with them. This helps kids grow spiritually in a fun and engaging way. Take the time to read books with them, including the Bible, and discuss spiritual themes you see.Pray for them. This is, perhaps, the most important thing you can do for your kids. It's easy to overlook the power of prayer when thinking about how to help your child grow spiritually. Make it a priority.For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Is your son truly delayed…or is he just a boy? Asher, who is six years old, got a letter sent home with him from school saying he is delayed and needs to work on sitting still. Asher's mom took the letter to her son's pediatrician, who shook her head, and said “He's not delayed. He's just being a boy.” The school system is not designed with young, energetic boys in mind– especially since boys develop more slowly than their female peers. When it comes to your son's development, pray for wisdom and seek professional advice. And above all, give your son lots of grace. He has a smart Creator, and he may just need some more time. For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

How will you pass your faith on to the next generation?Psalm 78:4 charges us to “tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders.”In this psalm, Asaph implored Jewish fathers to pass the faith from one generation to the next because he knew people would be prone to forgetting what God had done for them.Good parenting requires us to share helpful instructions worth remembering. You should instruct your family according to God's Word and share stories about what he has done for you. In doing so, God will enable you to impact future generations for years to come.For more information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Why do boys like to play with cars and trucks? In 2002, a study at Texas A&M University was designed to explore this question. Researchers took male and female monkeys, and gave them equal access to both traditional boy and girl toys. Interestingly, the male monkeys naturally gravitated towards the traditional male toys, like cars, while the females did likewise with the girl toys, like dolls. As much as our society would like to claim that there are no true differences between genders– boys are different from girls! Encourage your son to play with the “boy toys” he wants to– or, better yet, grab a race car and play along with him. You will see God's perfect design playing out right in front of you. To learn about the 5 critical needs of boys, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Has your son become your idol? That may seem like a ridiculous question. But for even the most well-intentioned parents, their son's happiness and success can consume their entire life, to the point that it becomes more important than their relationship with GOd. Take some time to sit with God and reflect on your relationship with your son. Are you willing to discipline him to develop his character, even if it means he is angry with you? Do you obsess over controlling what he's exposed to?  It may be time to step back, ask the Holy Spirit to influence your son, and exercise your trust in God. It may be the best thing you've ever done for your son. For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Being rooted in God's Word, the Bible, is like the Shepherd's tree, native to the Kalahari Desert in South Africa.The Shepherd's tree has the deepest documented roots of any tree, more than 230 feet deep.Jeremiah 17:7-8 says: “Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.”Let's teach our boys to trust in the firm foundation the Lord provides for His children through His Word.For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Want to help your son manage his big emotions? It starts with you. Researchers have found that– because of something in our brains called mirror neurons– the emotions we display cause our children to feel those emotions, too. As New York Times writer Ashley Abramson put it, “The same part of your brain that lights up when you're feeling happy may also light up when you observe happiness in others.”So the next time your son is feeling angry, overwhelmed, or frustrated, instead of focusing on his own emotions, check yourself first. Say a prayer, adjust your body language and expression, and ask God to help you be calm and at peace. Simply observing that peace in you may help your son learn how to calm down, too. For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Do you know how long most people will spend on hold during their lifetime?According to software company RingCentral, people on average will spend about 40 days of their life (or more than 1,000 hours) on hold with a call center.In today's instant-gratification society, most people, especially children, don't want to wait for things, but the Bible calls us to be patient and “wait on the Lord.”Patiently waiting is difficult for us and our kids to do, and we want to take matters into our own hands, but we must trust in God's timing.It's encouraging to know that God is working behind the scenes. So, when the time is right, everything will be in place for us to move forward.For more information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Wish your son would talk to you more? Take him outside. Since your son can turn to Google for an answer to any question, he may not come to you much with questions in his day-to-day life. But if you get him in an outdoor setting,  he just might start asking you for help. Have him pitch your tent while you're camping. Get on a boat and go fishing, and teach him how to tie his own lure and clean his own fish. At night, ask him to build a fire at your campsite. As he asks you questions about each task, it will open up your conversation. And as you sit around the fire, he just might start asking you about other issues in his life, as well. For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Do you remember this old children's nursery rhyme?“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”While there's some truth to this statement, we've all experienced the pain caused by hurtful things said to us. Words can hurt.The Bible says, “The tongue has the power of life and death,” and “on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.”We need to set a godly example for boys by how we speak to them and others and hold them to the same standard.Think about it like this: If your speech had a smell, would it be sweet or sour?For information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men,visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

How can you teach your son self control? Self control is, of course, one of the fruits of the spirit listed in Galatians 5. And psychologists say that self regulation skills are the key to avoiding addictions. So how can we develop this essential trait in our son? First, do all you can to model self-control. Do your best to make your words and actions line up, and be sure your son sees that. Second, help your boy learn how to make difficult tasks more fun. Could he listen to music while he cleans his room, or work on his homework outside on a nice day? And third, be sure your son has free time to choose what he wants to do. To learn about the five critical needs of boys, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Who or what do you look to for help when you need it?If you're a Christian, God has given you a helper, the Holy Spirit.Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of truth.”Boys often won't be able to face their challenges on their own, but the Holy Spirit comes alongside them to help them — all they need to do is ask for and accept his help.Instead of trying to solve every problem our boys have, let's point them to the power source that will never fail them.For more information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

You know your son needs sleep. But do you know just how much it can impact his life?  You've no doubt heard about the studies that link adequate sleep to better school performance and behavior, two things that many boys particularly struggle with. But one study at the University of Maryland actually found that children who slept less than nine hours had different brain structure! The lack of sleep caused those children to have less grey matter in their brains, which, among other things, helps impulse control. So to give your son the best chance at self-regulation, school performance, prioritize his sleep– even if it means missing out on other activities at night. His developing brain will thank you! For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

How can you help make sure your kids keep their faith in God?The following statistics are eye-opening and sobering.According to Barna, nearly 59 percent of youth leave the church after they graduate high school, and only 17 percent maintain a biblical worldview.Common reasons for leaving the church include moving to college, judgmental and/or hypocritical church members, and no longer feeling connected to the people in their church.It's crucial to equip your children to defend their faith. The “why” is just as important as the “what.” They need to know why they believe what they believe.Be faithful to “train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Do your kids believe it is better to give than receive?Science shows that children are born with a “compassionate instinct.” They observed that infants help others even though they are too young to have learned this behavior. Their motivation doesn't depend on the expectation of a reward.As parents and father figures, it is our job to encourage our children to be givers, not takers. Takers are selfish: They seek to be better than others. Givers are generous: They want to bring out the best in others.Here's a tip from psychologist Adam Grant: Say “Thank you for being a helper” instead of “Thank you for helping.” Recognizing kids as “helpers” helps them to internalize giving as part of their identities.For information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA orRaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Maybe our son's safety shouldn't be our only goal. Author Leslie Leyland Fields raised her son in Alaska. One day, her son got injured in an accident, and Leslie boarded a plane with him to get help. But when she felt the pilot pull up hard and turn, she thought they were about to hit a mountain and die. At that moment, Leslie felt regret. She thought she had failed at her one goal as a mom: to give her son a safe childhood. But just as her anxiety grew, a sense of peace from Jesus filled her heart. Leslie realized that, more than just safety, her goal was to raise a boy who could courageously face whatever challenges life brings– knowing that Jesus is always by his side. For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Who do your children belong to?The Bible says that once they decide to follow Jesus, they become God's children.“To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12It's amazing that God loves them so much and has named them as one of his children.Becoming a child of God comes with security. Being secure in your identity as God's child removes your need for worldly love, praise, acceptance, affirmation, and respect.When the world, people, and circumstances try to bring you and your boys down, remind yourself and them of your secure identity in Christ. For more information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Dr James Dobson of Focus on the Family once received an interesting letter from a nine-year-old girl. The letter was titled “why girls are better than boys.” The list included everything from “girls are kinder to animals,” to “girls don't smell as bad.” Amused, Dr. Dobson posted the letter in his newsletter, and asked boys to make their own list.  He received a variety of responses, including “boys are better because they aren't scared of scary movies,” and “boys can build better forts than girls.” Unfortunately, our society often leans towards that nine-year-old girls' perspective– celebrating feminine traits and dismissing masculine traits. It's up to us as parents to remind boys that their natural tendencies to be brave, innovative, and energetic should be celebrated, as well. For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.