Growing up God’s Way for Boys: Book Review

Growing up God’s Way for Boys

By Dr. Chris Richards and Dr. Liz Jones

The talk. Parents try to avoid it, dread it, pass it over to the government to explain, or ignore it – but if you have children, you must have it if you are going to be faithful to your calling as a parent. Written for boys (there is a girls edition) the purpose is to explain to the boy what is going on and help through puberty.

I like the organization of the book most of all. The authors lay a great foundation of a sovereign God before building up into the discussion of puberty and sex. Changes are happening, but God is in control and has ordained this for you. Then, as a shocker to modern sensibilities, it moves from the fact that there will be changes, to the purpose for these changes is for marriage. The authors start with God’s plan, then to God’s purpose before getting to what one would expect in explanation of the physical. The book closes with some practical exhortations and guidance in marriage, dating, and purity.

Who would be helped by this book? As I read, I thought that this would be a great resource for mothers who are raising boys and the Dad is not around. This could also be helpful for a Dad who may be entering the discussion with a bit of fear and trepidation to read over, review, or perhaps use like a textbook.

The book was written for the young man to read, however I would caution parents not to let the book do the talking. Don’t let this fine work be a substitute for yours. Do you own work, and use this tool to assist you. Your son needs you.

The book is a good resource that approaches the subject from a godly perspective. Teaching a child, full of changing hormones in a Darwinian construct can lead to disaster. This book makes plan that Christ is Lord of all, even our bodies.

It is also helpful that it views sexual relations in marriage as a God given gift. The boundaries God has given to us is not to keep joy from us, but to give us joy. H. L. Mencken famously defined Puritanism as "The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy." That is not the view of Christianity (nor was it the view of the puritans). God’s way of marriage and the marital relationship is the way to true and satisfying happiness. Teaching about sex without boundaries and can be just as bad as teaching boundaries without purpose.

My thanks to Cross Focused Reviews for the review copy.