“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.” —Matthew 7:12
First Corinthians 13 is often called the “love chapter” of the Bible, as it lists what real love should—and shouldn’t—look like. One crucial subset of love that we need to teach our children is the importance of good manners.
The essence of good manners is doing what is thoughtful and considerate, making the other person feel at ease and ministering blessing and grace to them. It’s important to teach your children manners and respect in how they treat others, but also in how they talk to and about others. Part of love is not being rude. It’s acting in a way that is gracious.
My dad used to tell my siblings and me, “I want you to be Christian ladies and gentlemen.” It mattered a lot to him that we would be man- nerly, that we would be sensitive to the needs of others—and it matters to the Lord. It’s the way of love.
Make it Personal
What are ways in both your words and actions that you can teach your children the importance of good manners?