Category: Raising sons

The Law as a Door to the Gospel: The Sixth Commandment

The Westminster Larger Catechism can be a helpful tool when teaching our children the Ten Commandments. This catechism (which is simply a teaching tool in a question-and-answer format) was written by godly men and church leaders in the 17th century as an aid to teaching congregants the basic doctrines and beliefs of the faith. The language is a bit difficult, but taking the time to unravel the older English will […]

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The Law as a Door to the Gospel: The Fifth Commandment

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12). Honor your parents. The first four of the Ten Commandments address our duty to God. The last six outline our duty to man. The first relationship considered is the parent-child relationship, which in principle also applies to any other authority relationships. This is the first […]

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Teach Like Jesus

I love these observations that Daniel came up with after reading the book of Mark. I think his last point about Jesus sharing His authority with His disciples is an especially good point to consider. How should Jesus’ example affect our parenting?   I just read the Gospel of Mark. My goal was to note every action of Jesus. During this study, I kept noticing details about how Jesus teaches […]

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A Goal-for-the-Day

Goals are good. They help us make progress. We’re much more likely to accomplish the things that are important when we set goals. Last January I published a post about helping children with long-term goals. You can read that post here. At the beginning of this new year, let’s think about short-term goals — goals we can help our children set for just one day. These will be simple goals that […]

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Second Place!

Here’s a collection of ideas that are especially kid-friendly! Great for a boy’s room!   Saloma describes her children’s playhouse: “It was just a run-down spring/well house behind our house when we moved here. It is still pretty run down but we gave it a face lift and a floor and the children love it!  We have part of Eph 5:8 written on it.  I just painted a board and […]

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Warrior Prayers eBook

What a great idea! I love the spirit of this book, written by a mother who knows what it’s like to be raising boys. She knows that her best efforts will be for nothing if God is not in them: “With each day that passes, I’m more convinced that I have absolutely no power to change the hearts of my boys. Oh, I can change their behavior if I try […]

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Raising Real Men Boot Camp 9-12

From the authors of Raising Real Men, Christian Small Publishers 2011 Book of the Year When our children were all little and Melanie was feeling overwhelmed, most people responded, “You just wait ’til they’re teenagers! You think it’s hard now?” Well, thank you, that’s very encouraging. Does it have to be that way? Does life with a teen have to be more difficult than life with an untrained toddler with […]

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It Will Hurt, but It Will Heal

I’ve been being hammered by teaching on all sides on the topic of forgiveness and confession. I’m not sure I fully understand God’s forgiveness. It’s something God is still gently teaching me. How we see God’s forgiveness certainly will show in how we apologize to and forgive others. Most of us can see another’s glaring sin, but we seem to think if we simply plunge ahead and try really hard […]

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Stop and pray.

God is the one who changes hearts. So why don’t we ask Him to do it more? Am I the only one who has talked and lectured and disciplined while totally forgetting to go before the throne of the One who can actually turn a disobedient, rebellious heart into a humble, submissive one? Maybe you’re smarter than I am. But if you’re not, try this today: When a child needs […]

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When We’re Feeling Ineffective

Many different factors can prevent us from effectively training our children. We simply may not know what to do when our children sin. First-generation Christians who have not grown up in a God-fearing home, may lack the experience, wisdom, or biblical knowledge that would help them instruct and discipline their children. Parents who have grown up in the Word may still not have the wisdom to apply that Word to […]

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