Biblical Reasons for Teaching Your Children Manners

Welcome back!

“Mind your manners,” you may have heard the phrase uttered from you mother or grandmother a million times, but is it something that we as a society use today with our children? Manners seems to have gone by the way side much like other concepts that were so often used by those who have gone on before us.

We must get back to the basics of life and what is really important in life, especially back to our Biblical roots. The Bible teaches many of “life’s basics” one of which is manners. Surprised? Don’t be, God has a plan for every aspect of our lives, including manners. They after all were his idea in the first place. He set it forth beginning with the Golden Rule beginning in Matthew 7:12,

“Do to others what you would have them do to you.”

God also set forth instructions for us as parents about how we are to train our children, these scriptures include Proverbs 22:6, which says, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” We must do our part as parents and then leave the rest to God. However our part comes first. He commanded us in Deuteronomy that we were to model the actions that we wanted our child to have.

“Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you-they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” Deuteronomy 32:46-47

This is living by the book, God’s Word, following his laws and precepts and teaching our children to do the same. As we often say to others, “it begins at home”. We must being by teaching our children the basic manners of “please” and “thank you” and expand into more social concepts such as, dining etiquette and social introductions.

What is in your heart comes out in your actions. We have Jesus in our hearts and we want to show others him by our actions. This is where manners can be of much importance. However, not only does this learning of manners do wonders for other people who are around your child, but also for their own self esteem and confidence as well. After all, with Christ in our childrens’ hearts and lives they can have all the confidence they need and when they present themselves as Godly and respectful individuals to others they can shine brightly. What mother wouldn’t be proud of that?

Wish you had the opportunity to teach manners to the children of today?  There is an awesome opportunity for Christian women over at Become a Manner’s Mentor that will allow you to do just that.  What an opportunity to invest in children.

My Desire

I desire to connect with other Christian women.

I desire to minister in some way even if  it is a small one.

I desire to take care of my family.

I desire to raise my children in a Christ-filled home.

I desire to be a woman after God’s own heart.

I desire to make my husband proud to be my husband.

I desire to leave a legacy.

I desire to love my neighbor as myself, even when that’s difficult.

These are just a few of the things that I desire today.  What about you my friend, what about you?

Simplifying my Life a Little Bit at a Time – Part 3

This is the third in a series of posts on simplifying my life a little bit at a time.  Besides stepping down from commitments, and changing my schedule, I am also spending more time with my family and friends.  I am blessed with a few close friends and an even larger circle of Christian friends.

My best girlfriends and I have gotten extremely close recently with the addition of a weekly commitment to each other.  In January, we began holding each other accountable by emailing each other in regards to our quiet time with God every day.  These emails, fondly called Good Morning Girls are a way for us to stay connected to each other and to hold each other accountable, to each other and to God.  They have not only strengthened our relationship with God, but they have also strengthened our relationship with each other and our families’ relationships with each other.

We believe in the Biblical concept of iron sharpens iron and we have seen that played out in our lives over the past few months.  We’ve experienced with each other job loss, financial woes, and other hurts and we’ve enjoyed times of joy as well.  We know that each and every day we are lifting each other up in prayer.  We remind each other to be patient with our children and to love our husbands despite their flaws.

In addition to this we’ve come together more often, spending spontaneous afternoons together, enjoying each other, our families, our children, sharing meals and our lives.  This simple thing has made such an impact on my life.  I’m grateful for them and for God so specifically planting them in my life.  It is HIS doing and we are glorifying him for the blessing.

There’s just a little more to tell about this simple lifestyle . . . check back next week for the final post.

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