7. Manners That Matter!
The Course
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 4:12 – How can I be a good example?
Luke 6:31; Ephesians 4:32; Philippians 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:12
The Goals
As a result of this lesson the children will:
1. Know what good manners are.
2. Feel the need to use them.
3. Use their manners every day.
The Equipment Room
For the following lesson you will need:
1. A piece of candy for each child. [See note in The Warm-up.]
2. Visuals #1-6 [As PowerPoint]
3. Visual #3 [Enough copies for everyone]
4. Visual #6 [Copy on card stock and cut apart enough copies for everyone.]
5. Paper and pencils [See note in The Warm-up.]
6. Advance preparation is required if using the 1b Extra Action adaptation suggested in this lesson.
The Warm-up
Activity: [This activity is referred to in Running the Race.] Have a coach give a piece of candy to each child as they enter. On a piece of paper, have the coach place a mark on the paper for each child who said, “Thank you.” Have another column for the children who said, “Thank you,” and also used the correct title of the person giving them the candy. [Such as: “Thank you, Mrs. Smith”; “Thank you, Coach Smith”; “Thank you, sir”]
Scripture Memory Review Game: Blow up a balloon and have a child bat it up in the air. Everyone needs to start saying the verse as soon as the balloon is batted and say as much of the verse as they can before the balloon hits the ground.
Opening Ceremonies
Songs: Make Me; We will Praise You; Be a Missionary [See Olympian CD Tracks 4, 6, and 10.]
Bible Lesson Review: Balloon Race Review – Divide the Olympians into teams and have them line up single file. Space the teams several feet apart. Give each team an inflated balloon. Instruct them that you will ask a review question and when you say, “Go” each team must move their balloon from the first person in their line to the last person by swatting the balloon in the air. If it touches the ground, they must start over. The first team to move their balloon through their line gets to answer the question. Allow the winning team to huddle together to get an answer. The team has ten seconds to answer. If they answer correctly, award them points. If they answer incorrectly, the team who finished second may answer that question. Keep score for each team. The team with the most points at the end wins.
The Coach’s Corner
( 3) ( 8)
[In this lesson you will be teaching the children about table manners and appropriate manners during Olympians. You will find phone manners ( 2) and other general manners ( 1a) listed in the adaptation section. You may want to choose two of the four manners which are needed the most in the lives of the children in your specific group.]
Today, we are going to talk about the subject of manners. Manners are rules that are not listed in the Bible. However, they come from principles found in the Bible, such as putting others before ourselves. Manners are important because it pleases God; we should be a good example to others around us. The Bible tells us how we should be a good example. [Read 1 Timothy 4:12.] Let’s also look at Luke 6:31. [Ask the children to turn to this passage and read Luke 6:31 together.] This verse tells us we should treat others the way we would like to be treated. If you expect to be treated nicely and with respect, then you need to treat others nicely and with respect.
There are many different kinds of manners. Can you name some of them? [Allow the children to respond.] We are going to talk about table manners, Olympian manners, and general manners. I’m going to read you some stories. When I am done, I want you to tell me whether or not the people in the story displayed good or bad manners.
Story #1 – Table Manners ( 1b)
It is lunch time at the Joy family home. Mom puts the food on the table and calls Harold and Holly for the third time to tell them lunch is ready. She hears them racing down the steps. They come tearing into the dining room and start fighting over which chair to sit in.
Once seated, the meal begins. Harold reaches across the table and grabs the peanut butter. He spreads it thickly on his bread, takes a big bite and, with his mouth full, begins to talk about his day.
Holly yells at him to pass the peanut butter. She makes her sandwich, and then chews with her mouth open so everyone can see everything that is in it. Meanwhile, Dad reminds Harold to use his napkin to catch the peanut butter running down his chin. He pulls it out from beside his plate, wipes his chin and throws it toward the trash can. Finally it is time for dessert: their favorite, chocolate pudding! Holly dishes some onto her plate and uses her fingers to put it into her mouth. “Use your spoon,” her mother instructs her. “Why? It’s more fun to eat with my fingers,” Holly replies.
Harold hears his friend, Joey, yelling for him to come out and play. He scoots out of his seat and leaves the room. Soon Holly follows. Mom shakes her head, gets up, and begins to clear the table. Another meal in the Joy family is over.
[Display Visual #1. Then discuss the following questions.]
1. What do you think of their manners?
2. What are some things they did wrong?
3. What should they have done differently?
4. Were their actions pleasing to God? Why or why not?
5. Did they treat others the way they would want to be treated?
Manners are one way of showing kindness to others. The Bible also tells us to be kind to others and to forgive them just like God did. [Read Ephesians 4:32.] God was kind to us in that He sent Jesus to die for our sins and He has forgiven those of us who have asked Him.
Let’s listen to another story about the Joy Family.
Story #2 – Table Manners
It is lunch time at the Joy family home. Dad helps Mom put the food on the table and then calls Harold and Holly to come to lunch. They immediately come walking to the dining room. Dad pulls out Mom’s chair and seats her while Harold does the same for his sister.
They wait patiently as Dad prays, thanking God for the food. Then each member of the family places a napkin on their lap. Dad passes the bread to Mom and everyone waits patiently for all to be served before starting to eat. Harold waits until his mouth is empty and then tells his Dad about how much fun he is having playing football with his friends.
Holly waits for her turn to talk. She is anxious to tell her parents about the new girl who just moved in next door, but she knows it is impolite to interrupt her brother. They all have a great time talking about their day. Finally it is time for dessert: their favorite, chocolate pudding! Holly dishes some onto her plate and uses her spoon to put it into her mouth.
A short time later, Harold asks, “May I please have some more pudding?” “Yes, you may,” Mom replies. “Thanks, Mom,” he says as he smiles at her. When they are finished eating, Harold and Holly ask if they may be excused from the table. They quietly pick up their plates, thank Mom for lunch, and place their plates in the dishwasher before returning to play. Another meal at the Joy family is complete.
[Display Visual #2. Then discuss the following questions.]
1. How were their manners different from the first time?
2. What are some things Dad and Harold did that showed they were gentlemen? ( 7)
3. What words should we use when someone gives us something or does something nice for us?
4. What did they do before they ate?
5. Were their actions pleasing to God? Why or why not?
6. Did they treat others the way they would want to be treated?
[Display Visual #3.] Each of you will be getting a copy of this visual to take home as a reminder of how we can please God with our manners.
Remember at the beginning of our lesson when I said there a several different types of manners? Now we are going to listen to some stories that talk about the good manners we should all have while in Olympians. ( 9)
Story #1 – Olympian Manners
Josh and Julie can’t wait to get to Olympians. They run into the room, nearly knocking over Coach Kelly. Coach Kelly greets them, but they ignore her and go straight over to see their friends, Kyle and Kate.
When Coach Kelly asks everyone to be seated so Olympians can start, there is a tussle as Kyle goes to sit down and a new boy is in his chair. Instead of moving to a different seat, Kyle grabs the boy and pulls him out of the chair. “This is my seat, go find another one!” he says. The boy looks startled and moves to a different chair.
During the Bible lesson, Kate and Julie talk about the birthday party for one of their friends. Even though Coach Jim asks them to be quiet, they ignore him and continue to whisper and giggle.
Then, it is time for the Big O’vent game time. “Everyone line up!” Coach Paul orders. Josh runs to the front of the line, shoving the smaller children out of the way. He calls to Kyle to come and join him. They want to be first in the gym so that they can hopefully be on the same team. As the game begins, Josh and Kyle complain that they have all the slow kids on their team. They complain all through the game and are upset at the others on the team when they lose.
Let’s stop the story and talk about the manners of the children in Olympians.
[Display Visual #5. Then discuss the following questions.]
1. Were their manners good or bad?
2. What were some things they should have done differently?
3. Were their actions pleasing to God? Which actions did not please God?
4. Were they right to complain during game time?
5. Did they treat others the way they would want to be treated? How do you know?
[Read Ephesians 4:32.] Let’s listen to another story about Josh and Julie and see if they followed Ephesians 4:32. Then we will talk about the differences between this story and the one I just finished reading to you.
Story #2 – Olympian Manners
Josh and Julie can’t wait to get to Olympians. They walk into the room and see Coach Kelly. As she greets them, they take time to talk to her and tell her all about their week. They hand their Quiet Times to their Personal Training Coach and take their Bibles to their seats. Then they go over to talk to their friends, Kyle and Kate.
When Coach Kelly asks everyone to be seated so Olympians can start, Kyle notices a new boy sitting in his seat. He goes over to him and introduces himself: “Hi, my name’s Kyle. What’s your name?” “My name is Joe.” “Glad you could come, Joe.” Kyle then sits down beside Joe. During the Bible lesson, Kate and Julie sit beside each other.
They pay close attention and don’t talk to each other during the coach’s lesson. Even though they are tempted to talk, they know this is not the time to do it. When the coach asks a question, Kate raises her hand. The coach calls on her and she is excited when she answers the question correctly.
Then it is time for the Big O’vent. “Everyone line up!” Coach Paul orders. Josh and Kyle help the younger children and wait patiently for the girls to get in line. Because Josh and Kyle are older, they take their place at the back of the line. Kyle is excited that Josh ends up being on his team. They are put on a team with a lot of slower children. Josh and Kyle take this opportunity to coach and encourage them. Even though they lose the game, they have fun and so do the other members of their team.
[Display Visual #5. Then discuss the following questions.]
1. Did the boys and girls in this story show good or bad manners?
2. What were some of the things they did that showed good manners?
3. Were the words they used pleasing to God? What words do you think pleased God?
4. Were their actions pleasing to God? Which actions do you think pleased Him?
5. Did they trust God to help them have the right actions?
Did you know that the Bible tells us to treat others better than we want to be treated? [Read Philippians 2:3.] This verse is telling us that God expects us to put other first. We need to put their needs before our own. ( 5)
Running the Race
When you came into Olympians, you were handed a piece of candy. We tallied up those who said, “Thank you,” and also those who used the correct name when they thanked us. [Give the results to the group.]
“Please,” “thank you,” and “you’re welcome” are words we should use each day. [Read 1 Timothy 4:12 and Luke 6:31.] These verses tell us how we should treat others. Are you treating others the way that God wants you to? Are you putting others ahead of yourself?
Today in Personal Training Time, you are going to be given one of these cards. [Display Visual #6.] This will help you think through the manners and actions that you display each day. The card asks these questions:
1. Are my words pleasing to God?
2. Are my actions pleasing to God?
3. Am I doing this for the right reason?
4. Do I have good and godly attitudes?
5. Am I trusting God to help me have the right actions?
6. Do I have a clear conscience?
7. Am I treating others the way I would like to be treated?
If the answer is no to any of these questions, why not ask God to forgive you and help you in that area each day? These are questions you need to ask yourself when you are making decisions. We want to encourage you to place this card in your Bible, Quiet Time Journal, or another place where you will see it. / When you came into Olympians, you were handed a piece of candy. We tallied up those who said, “Thank you,” and also those who used the correct name when they thanked us. [Give the results to the group.] “Please,” “thank you,” and “you’re welcome” are words we should use each day.
Having good manners is important. How are you doing at being kind and friendly when a new person comes into Olympians? Are you reaching out to them and making them feel welcome? [Read 1 Timothy 4:12 and Luke 6:31.] These verses tell us how God wants us to treat others. Are you treating others the way God wants you to? Are you putting others ahead of yourself?
Today in Personal Training Time, you are going to be given one of these cards. [Display Visual #6.] These questions will help you think through the manners and actions you display each day.
Are you willing to work on pleasing God with your manners and actions at all times? Let’s pray and ask God to help all of us do those things that would be pleasing to Him.
[Close in Prayer.]
Personal Training Time