Good manners, they are something we may all hope that our children possess, but have you ever really thought about why manners are practiced? Recently, I learned that it is not common practice for young people to say “yes ma’am” and “no ma’am” in more Northern states, however, it is common practice and considered to be rude by children if they do not use these terms in the South. Growing up in the South, I have always practiced these terms of what we consider respect and have also taught my children to do the same.

Recently, in my Back to the Basics of Life Seminar Series, I taught on the subject of Etiquette and Manners and the question arose whether manners were “Biblical”. I did base the lesson around certain key verses of Scripture that I had already considered, but after being posed with this question I decided to do some more digging in Scripture to see what else the Bible had to say about manners. I found more than I had imagined.

The following are some examples:

“Even a child is known by his actions,by whether his conduct is pure and right.”

Proverbs 20:11 (NIV)

This verse tells us that we are to teach out children about correct conduct. We must of course search further in Scripture to determine what is “pure and right”.

We can find some examples in these verses:

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

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

Luke 6:31 (NIV)

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.”

Phillippians 1:27 (NIV)

All of these verses talk about how we are to conduct ourselves, from the way that we talk to the way that we act and treat others. To me, manners is all about “respect”, respect for God and man, showing others Christ through the way that we act and conduct ourselves. Manners can also be more specific however, basic manners respect yourself, God, your body, the body of Christ and those around you.

Other Scriptures for your reference include:

Luke 10:8

Proverbs 11:17

Psalm 141:3

1 Peter 4:9

1 Timothy 6: 18-19

Proverbs 15:8

Ephesians 6:1

Romans 12:13

Hebrews 10:24

Matthew 22:39

1 Peter 2:17

Recently, I joined the Thomas Nelson team of Review Bloggers. I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to review some great Christian literature and materials that I could in turn recommend to you, the moms of girls of all ages.  This is my first review and it was a winner.  God’s Little Princess Devotional Bible: Bible Storybook is a gem. 

It is small and beautiful, and just what any princess would want.  But more than that it is packed with meaningful and quality material.  The pages of the Bible are bright and colorful and perfect for young girls.  Author Sheila Walsh does a great job of presenting Bible stories and Scripture in a unique manner.  Presented in the same order of our beloved Scriptures but with a twist.  She slips in easy to understand play scripts for a young girl to “act out” with her mom the stories of the Bible, fun beauty tips, as well as activities that help her to interact with and better understand God’s truths.

The Bible is beautiful and the font is not only pretty but large print which makes it easy to read.  Its pages are thick and the quality is one that will hold up to the wear and tear of little fingers.  There are also plenty of illustrations to keep a girl’s attention as well.

This Bible fits perfectly with the Biblical principles of Godly beauty that we at Beauty by Design Ministries urge girls to embrace.  We will be giving away this Bible at our event this weekend at Second Baptist Church in Koscuisko, Mississippi to one lucky girl.

We must prepare ourselves to live for God no matter what life brings us. This is something that we should learn to do from a young age. Because, the fact is no matter how young you are, or no matter how old you are, life is not “a bed of roses”. Life will slam you with many things.

You must be firmly planted. In order to face life’s challenges, in order to stay strong come what may you must have faith. Faith, as Scripture says, “Comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) After we have accepted through faith, Jesus Christ into our lives we must then begin the process of “growing” in our faith. This is what will allow us to be “firmly planted” come what may.

As Ephesians 4 states,

“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8This is why it[a] says:
“When he ascended on high,
he led captives in his train
and gave gifts to men.”

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4: 7-16

Therefore, this growth is important it is what prepares us to be able to stand firm, “come what may”. So, begin now no matter what your age to grow in your faith. If you are not already doing so begin a daily quiet time with God, spending time in prayer and in Bible study. Seek out a mentor and spend time with them, someone who is Godly and more mature spiritually than yourself. Regularly attend worship services, becoming actively involved in the church through service. These are all things that will help you to grow in your faith and as a result not be shifted like sand when life’s challenges come about you can stand firm, “come what may”.

Photo Credit: Martin LaBar

Sometimes as moms, we get the crazy idea that because we have become responsible for the lives of precious little children, that we should focus solely on them and leave our own thoughts and ideas for ourselves behind.  This should not be the case.  We as moms should be true to ourselves, use the passions and gifts that God has given us and set some goals for ourselves.

These goals will not only benefit us, as people, but also our families as well.  Its kind of like the old saying, “If momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” Naturally, our children, husbands, families and others around us will benefit from us taking care of ourselves and doing things that will help us to feel more productive and successful.

The Lord also expects us to use the gifts that he has given us.  He tells us in Scripture that without every part of the body of Christ functioning at its best it will not work.

“ If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
1 Corinthians 12:19-27

This scripture passage makes it clear why it is so important for us to use what God has given us. He gave us those gifts and abilities so we can function as a part of the body of Christ, and that includes our families.  We have a responsibility to our families to do our part.  Part of that is setting goals for not only us but for our families as well.

So, mom, how about you setting some goals?  Here are a few tips to get you started:

Family goals can include your marriage, your children, or the whole family.  They can be fun or serious.  Fun goals might be to save money for a vacation, or to have family night every Saturday night, while goals that are more serious might include paying off debt or seeking to improve your marriage.

Then you will also want to set some individual goals just for you.  There are probably things you have put on the backburner or put off doing altogether because you have become a mom, why not take one of those things to focus on a year and make it happen.

Whether the goals are for your family or for you, it will be so fulfilling to make them a reality.  Of course, once one goal is accomplished it is time to set a new one and begin working to achieve it.  It is a never-ending process that you and your family can always benefit from, so keep it up.