“I pray that God will make him a man after God’s heart. That’s what I pray. He’s just in this adolescent age, the dangerous time of life. I desire all of you to pray for my boy.” [1]
Before I comment regarding this quote let’s take a look at the definition of adolescence:
Adolescence is defined as “the period following the onset of puberty during which a young person develops from a child into an adult.” [2] Before this time and leading up to it, it is critical that we as parents take the time to teach our boys about what is happening with their body. We should have a healthy and comfortable relationship with our boys so that we can speak plainly upon this topic. We should be teaching them that kissing on the lips and sex is to be only between a husband and wife, reserved for marriage. Explain that God is not withholding fun, but protecting us for a lifelong relationship with our future wife. We should use some godly resources to teach them about what is taking place in their bodies, what is the purpose and be there for them to speak to them about the difficult emotions they are dealing with during this time.
A good resource to have during childhood so that your children are learning God’s foundation about sex is the, “God’s Design For Sex” series by Stan and Brenna Jones. You can buy all four books currently on amazon.com for $47.95.
Your boys are also going to have a growing desire for independence from mom and dad. This is perfectly normal. Often parents are frustrated by this manifestation. Love them, listen to them, spend time with them doing things they enjoy (yes, you might need to be creative, since what they mostly enjoy is being with their friends), set expectations of their behavior and be patient with them. Remember, maintaining a good relationship with them where they will listen to you is of utmost importance. Yes, there will be times where they need tough love, but remember it is tough love not just being tough! Love is firm, takes its stand, but expresses it to the children.
Perhaps your son is having an emotional outburst, blaming his problems on his siblings or his dad or his mom. Take the time to express your love to them, that you will always be on their side no matter what, and that in order to solve this problem he has to calm down. It is absolutely critical that parents do not lose control or raise their voices, but to maintain their composure 100% of the time. They need to see a calm, peaceful demeanor demonstrated at all times. ?
Different children respond differently to the flood of hormones going through their bloodstreams during these years. It is our duty as parents to make sure the arrows in our quiver are shot in the right direction. They will have to choose their own way, but we can raise them up in the right way. Give your sons years of Bible memorization, years of teaching them the Church Ages and Seals books, train them how to be gentlemen and treat women with respect and honor, to defend those who are weaker and to live a godly life. Most of all, dads need to model this for their boys. ?
Brother
Branham said that adolescence is a dangerous time of life. It certainly is
because this is the time that the influence of other children is so deeply
significant in the mind of your son. He wants to fit in, be liked and he wants
to spend time with his friends. By this time, you should have taught him the
importance of not being unequally yoked together with unbelievers and as such
even his friends must be chosen wisely. If you want to start being involved in
your son’s life after he enters adolescence you are in big trouble.
Nevertheless, with prayer and the power of God anything can be overcome, but it
will be very difficult. What we sow in their early years we reap in their
adolescent years. Be sure you prepare your boys for this “dangerous time of
life.”
[1] 52-0719 , Make The Valley Full Of Ditches, Rev. William Marrion Branham
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