Joshua 1:9 encourages us to follow Joshua’s lead and “be strong and courageous.”  It’s a big calling.  How do we about about raising strong and courageous boys?  It all boils down to one thing!

Six years ago I found out I was pregnant with my first child.  I had no idea who he was yet or that six years from then I would have three little boys in my life.  What I did know was that I was going to do everything I could to raise this child to love Jesus and love others.

Not long after finding out Caleb was a boy, I began planning out his nursery.  I decorated an adorable mountain themed room and, as a finishing touch, picked out a precious calligraphy framed piece that said “Caleb, be strong and courageous.”  This was what I prayed over my little man and continue to pray over his brothers and him every day.

I now have a five year old who is starting to read and, the other day, noticed the framed print on his bookcase.  After attempting to read it, he asked me what it said.  I told him and he responded “Like The HULK!!!”  Hm…  Not exactly kiddo.  Sure, The Hulk is strong and courageous but not the right kind of strong and courageous.

Raising Strong and Courageous Boys

See, we all have our own thoughts as to what it means to be strong and courageous.  We think of lifting heavy rocks, fighting a great battle, facing a lion.  We think of warriors, kings, and champions.  But is that what God was telling Joshua about being strong and courageous?  Is that what we’re being told about being strong and courageous?

It’s incredibly important to actually read the Bible when we’re talking about the Bible so let me pull up the whole passage, in context…

Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.  Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:6-9 NIV)

Anything stand out to you?  There is no mention of physical strength anywhere!  There’s talk of leading the people, being prosperous and successful, not being discouraged…  But no physical strength!  That’s definitely not what I was taught about this passage growing up!

What Do We Teach Our Boys?

Strength and courage don’t come from any act of physicality or effort.  Strength and courage come from meditating on and obeying the law  of the Lord!

We can help our boys grow strong and courageous by teaching them the Word of God.  Studying the Bible, singing Scriptural songs, allowing them to fall in love with Jesus…  All these things are what will truly teach our boys to be strong and courageous.  They won’t need to be afraid because, as the passage says, “the Lord [their] God will be with [them] wherever [they] go!”

Strong and Courageous Boys and the Gospel

Back to Caleb and his Hulk comment…  I gently explained to him that The Hulk’s powers weren’t what the Bible was talking about but, instead, God’s powers are what allows us to be strong and courageous.  We are always surrounded by the King of Kings – stronger, wiser, and more amazing than any superhero.

This God was able to defeat sin and death, paying the penalty for every wrong thing we’ve ever done.  He invites us into His victory as a free gift.  We can be strong and courageous knowing He is with us.  As we learn His words and allow those words to transform our lives to be more like Him we will not be afraid or discouraged.  We will be strong and courageous!

And that, my friends, is how you raise strong and courageous boys!

PS.  Don’t know where to start?  Check out these 15 memory verses to learn with your preschooler!

Your Turn:
How are you raising your boys to be strong and courageous?
How do you go about teaching your children Bible verses?

If You Liked This Post You Might Also Enjoy:

• Raising Brothers to be Best Friends
• When I Want My Old Life Back
• 10 Things Every Dad Should Teach His Sons

Meet the Love Blog Challenge Cohosts

Belle Brita

Brita Long is the pink and sparkly personality behind the Christian feminist lifestyle blog, Belle Brita. On her blog and social media, you’ll discover more than authentic storytelling–she’s brutally honest about pursuing a fulfilling and joyful life even with Crohn’s Disease and depression.

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Hodge Podge Moments

Pam is a former teacher turned work at home mom to two little boys. She blogs about motherhood and all it’s messy moments on her blog Hodge Podge Moments. She also shares play based learning activities at Little Learning Moments.

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