October Virtue: Patience

DEFINTION: waiting until later without complaint

MEMORY VERSE: “But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” Romans 8:25 (ESV)

CONNECTION: the ocean or beach that reminds us to relax & not be in such a hurry!

    (a connection is a visual reminder of the virtue)

SYNONYMS: self-control, stoicism, composure, calmness,

tranquility, peace, perseverance

We are commanded to be patient: “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

We can set our mind to be patient: “A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)

Patience is the result of God’s Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.” Colossians 1:10-12 (NIV)

We need patience despite our circumstances:“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 (NIV)

“Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 (NIV)

 ^“You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.” 2 Timothy 3:10, 11 (NIV)

Persistence & patience go together: “With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.” Proverbs 25:15 (ESV)

“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.” Ecclesiastes 7:8 (NIV)

-stated above- Romans 8:25 (ESV)

Love & patience go together: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” I Corinthians 13:1 (NIV)

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)

Faith & patience go together: “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU.”And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.” Hebrews 6:11-15 (NASB)

“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.” James 5:7-8 (NIV)

“As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” James 5:10-11 (ESV)

"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” Psalms 37:7 (NIV)

“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.” Psalms 40:1 (NIV)

“As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15 (ESV)

The Lord is patient unto salvation: “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?” Romans 2:1-4 (NIV)

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV)

“Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.” 2 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

The Lord is patient with His wrath to show His power: “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH.” So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? …What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?” Romans 9: 17-20, 22 (NASB)

ANTONYMS: impatience, anxious,

eager, longing, yearning (for ungodly things)

Anger & impatience go together: “A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.” Proverbs 14:29 (NIV)

“A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.” Proverbs 15:18 (NIV)

Complaining & impatience go together: “They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!"” Numbers 21:4-5 (NIV)

God punishes eagerness in ungodly things, such as riches: “A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.” Proverbs 28:20 (NIV)

“A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him.” Proverbs 28:22 (NIV)

BIBLE STORIES/LESSONS

Abraham waits for a son (Genesis 15:1-6; 18:1-15; 21:1-7)—Abraham waits on the LORD’s promises for an heir.  Isaac is born at his old age.

Esau & his birthright (Genesis 25:24-34)—Esau trades his birthright for food that Jacob has prepared because he is too impatient to do it himself

Jacob waits for a wife (Genesis 29)—Jacob waits 7 years to marry his love, Rachel.

Rachel waits for a son (Genesis 29:1-15; 30:1-24)—Rachel watches Leah conceive. She gives Jacob her maidservant, Bilhah.  Rachel has her first son Joseph after many years of waiting.

Joseph waited on the Lord’s timing (Gen 37, 38-47)—Joseph waits through being sold, Potiphar’s Wife’s lies, the Baker & Cupbearer’s forgetfulness & then reuniting with his family.

Hannah waits for a son (I Samuel 1:1-20)—Hannah prays fervently for her first child.  Eli prays for her request. Samuel is born to her & Elkanah the next year.

Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18: 21-35)—We must forgive no matter how many times it takes for the Lord is patient with us.

Waiting for Jesus’ return (James 5:7-11)—Waiting for Jesus’ coming is compared to a farmer who waits for his crops to bear fruit.

Optional Definition for Patience
 -tolerance for delay
 -waiting when you want it now

Respect the Elderly

Respect for the Elderly is a struggle for many children.  Many children don't even realize when they are disrespecting the older generations.  We need to show & teach our children or students how to be intentionally respectful. 

What are ways that we show RESPECT to the Elderly?

+  Show interest in their past.  Don't be afraid to ask questions.  When you do, make sure to be a good listener!
+  Use proper titles when addressing them.  Use Mr., Mrs. or Ms. & their LAST name!
+  Acknowledge when an elder comes or leaves.
+  Don't forget your manners!  "Please" & "Thank you" go along way! If their your host, make sure to thank them specifically for their hospitality; maybe even make a thank you card!

Take a day & go to a nursing home!

Here are some ideas of what you can do:
+  Put on a program for them---sing some songs & say some favorite verses!
+  Make some cute drawings or cards to pass out to them.
+  Make some quilts.  Let your students or children decorate the squares with fabric markers.

http://www.craftelf.com/Craft_elf_general_no_sew_fleece_blanket.htm

+  Make some no-sew fleece blankets. Have your children help you cut & tie the fleece.
+  Find some postcards from your area & then have your children write some encouraging notes on the back.

+  Decorate some mini pumpkins with funny faces for them to put in the cafeteria for all of the residents to enjoy. You might even check a local farm to see if they would donate the pumpkins. If it isn't fall, make centerpieces that go with the season.
+ Offer to push a patient, who doesn't have many visitors, around the grounds.
  
Ideas are my own.  Feel free to use them however you want!

Refreshing Authority

Sometimes as an authority figure you can be burdened by those that you are leading.  The problems begin to overweigh all of the good things.  Sit down with your children or students & make a list of authority figures that you have over all of you. In my case I would choose my administrator, pastor, principal & husband.

Find out their favorite drink.  Is it coffee? diet coke? iced tea? lemonade? water?  You can even use those water packet flavors if you want!  Then they have a couple to pick from.  Check out these cool links for some ideas on how to make your card & packets hang from the drink bottles here & here.  For the coffee, you could just attach it around the cup or cardboard finger protector.

Make encouragement cards for them.  Tell what you love about their leadership.  Tell them that you are praying for them (if possible, make a list of prayer requests that you are praying about). 

Attach the verse Philemon 1:7 to the drink: “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.”  or the verse Proverbs 11:25 that says "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."

Before you deliver it, pray specifically for each individual, especially for wisdom as they follow what God would have them to do.

http://reigninggifts.com/MUGS.htm

This would be great to do during October, Pastor Appreciation month. Teacher Appreciation week is always the first full week in May. The 3rd Saturday in April is Husband Appreciation Day. You can find other appreciation day ideas on this site. Get CREATIVE & show a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T!!

http://www.more4kids.com/personalized-dad-gifts.htm

This idea came from a great teacher friend & partner of mine, Jill Eger!  She has impacted my life in how important it is to teach children to pray & be thankful for those that minister to us!

It's Taught: Respect

Let’s say that you overhear Steven, your 8 year old, commenting to his friend about how he hates his Second Grade teacher because she is always giving him too much homework.

This is how I would handle this situation:

1) QUOTE SCRIPTURE!

“Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers (peers), fear God, honor the king (authority).” I Peter 2:17 (NIV)

2) TEACH!

Steven, I know that you are frustrated with all of the homework you are getting from Mrs. Smith. She is giving you homework so that you can have some independent practice of what she is teaching you. When she sees your work she can see if you understand what you are going over in class. If you think that you are getting way too much homework, we can sit down & ask her about it, but you can not talk bad about her. Mrs. Smith is your authority. God has placed her as your teacher this year. You need to respect her whether you feel like it or not! When you disrespect her with your words, you disrespect God.

If we decide to talk to her about your homework, then we also need to be careful how we speak to her. Mrs. Smith may not change her mind about the amount of homework, but either way you need to be OK with it. I will help you by setting up a meeting with her & planning what you will say. Let’s make a list of things you would like to talk to her about & any reasons you feel the way you do. When we meet with her I will help you bring up things, but you have to be the one to explain some of the things you are asking about.

3) PRAY!

Let’s ask God to forgive you for disrespecting Mrs. Smith. Let’s also ask him for wisdom on how to talk to her about your homework & to help you respect all of your authority at school & home.

 Make it Right!

Now that you are right with God, He tells us that we must make things right with others. You need to go & ask forgiveness from your friend. You need to tell them that you were being disrespectful to your teacher. You also need to ask forgiveness from your teacher when we go to speak to her because it was not right to talk about her that way.

 Don't Fight All of Their Battles!

This situation would be such a great opportunity to show your child how to speak respectfully to a teacher, or any authority.  Don't be afraid to get your children involved in things that can be discussed in front of them.  You won't always be able to fight their battles!  Allow them to learn under your leading!  Give them the tools to be successful.  This is also a great lesson for teaching them how to ask for forgiveness & make things right with other people.

Note: Please do not copy or paste this onto another site. If you want to share this on Twitter or Facebook, use the share options below.  If you would like to share this on a website, please just add this link. Thanks.

Attracting & Repelling With Our Words

Materials: strong magnet with positive & negative poles

Show the magnet. Show how positive & negative poles attract. "Respectful words draw people to want to be with us. They also encourage people to respect others."

Show how the two negative poles repel. "Disrespectful words repel people.  They push people away. Disrespectful words are like a posion or chain reaction causing others to be disrespectful."


NOTE: The basic idea, is not my own.  I have found this idea in several different books & online sources, so I don't really know who to give the credit to.  I just changed the idea to make it relate to respect. I don't believe there is a copyright on this. If you find this copyrighted anywhere, please let me know so I can put the correct information on it.  I always want to give credit where credit is due :) Thanks!

Respectful Words or Actions?

List some ways we can show respect to God. Write them on cards. Sort them & put them into a “Show Respect by our Words” or “Show Respect by our Actions” catergories. Pray & ask God to help you do all of these things.
                    
Here are some ideas of ways to respect God: praising Him, singing praise songs, telling others about Jesus, praying, obeying His Word, bowing your head & closing your eyes while you pray, taking care of your body (the temple of the Holy Spirit), reading His Word, obeying your authority (president, coaches, employers, parents, elders, peers, etc.), talking about Him, quoting the Bible, fearing the Lord, working hard at everything, taking care of our planet & going to church.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T-F-U-L Spelled Out

Display or make an Acrostic Poem on RESPECTFUL. Discuss ways that a person shows respect. You can also use the poem to write your family's or classroom's Respectful Rules. Display this as a reminder & review it weekly or as needed.

Here is my poem:


 Read God’s Word

 Everyone needs to know about Jesus

 Say please & thank you

 Pray with your eyes closed & head bowed

 Encourage others

 Care for your body, the temple of the Holy Spirit

 Treat everyone like you want to be treated.

 Follow all of the rules

 Use God’s name in a nice way

 Let your Light Shine!

Note: This idea was inspired by a forum at http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/showthread.php?t=16389.  This is a must see for all teachers... great idea!

It's Caught: Respect

It’s Caught!

Respect should be optional, right? I mean if someone treats me disrespectfully then s/he doesn’t deserve respect! I’ll show them!

This is the world’s way of thinking about respect. God looks on respect in whole different way. Respect is showing someone is important by what you say and do. Romans 13:1, tells us that God places ALL those in authority & that we must submit to them. I Peter 2:17 (NIV) goes on to say “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” That means the unsaved husband, the obnoxious boss, the oppressive governmental official, the rude customer service representative, the insensitive lady at church, & the unloving father! From your authority (“honor the king”), to your peer (“the brotherhood of believers”), & then God himself!

I have to admit that this is one of the hardest characters for me to exhibit. When someone disrespects me or my family, I want to tell them what’s what. Unfortunately I was raised around some parental figures who thought of themselves as superior.  Everyone else was inferior & always out to get them! This idea caused so much unhappiness, loneliness, fear & rage.

I struggle with this in my marriage especially, mainly because he is a man who is my authority. I want it my way. I only want to give respect when it is given to me. This is NOT how God designed respect. Despite how I feel, what I want, or how my husband or daughter acts, I am responsible to God for how I react. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…” Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

David makes a great picture of undeserving respect in his relationship with King Saul. King Saul seeks to kill David. David has done nothing wrong, but he must flee his family to hide in caves. David has several opportunities to kill King Saul. One day King Saul enters David’s cave to relieve himself. David allows him to go unhurt, but cuts a piece of his robe. David emerges from the cave because he fears he has disrespected Saul. David bows down & says, “Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, 'I will not lift my hand against my master, because he is the LORD's anointed.' … look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. Now understand and recognize that I am not guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion… May the LORD judge between you and me… my hand will not touch you” I Samuel 24:10-12 (NIV). King Saul was focused on himself, not what God would have him to do. He was jealous of David’s fame throughout Israel as a great leader on the battle field. King Saul was self-focused & selfish.

In order to teach your children respect, you must show your children how to be selfless & to look out for the needs of others. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 (NIV) First, help them see the emotions of others. Then, help them see how they might meet the needs of others. This is no easy task, especially for a child that is under 5 or 6 years old.

During my first year of teaching, I had a very sweet, young girl in my class. Her name was Carson. Her parents were always concerned about their children noticing others’ needs. Carson was very mature in the area of respect.

One day, a boy in our class dropped his pencil box & one of the pieces broke off. This young boy was not very loving to others or very obedient in class, but she saw his need. The next day she came in all excited. She handed the boy a pencil box. She explained that she had it at home & thought he would like a new one.

I am not sure if this little boy remembers this act of kindness, but this moment is forever ingrained in my mind. Not many 5 year olds would think of others. In fact, most children can’t really get beyond what affects them until around age 7. This little moment reminds me that respect & selflessness can be taught, even before it can really be caught!

Do not copy & paste this section.  If you would like to pass this on or post it, just attach this website page. Thank you.

September Virtue: Respect

DEFINTION: elevating someone by what you say and do

MEMORY VERSE: "Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king." I Peter 2:17 

CONNECTION: thumbs-up to show that you are elevating a person to their higher position.

    (a connection is a visual reminder of the virtue)

SYNONYMS: honor, revere, courtesy, obey, devote, esteem

We must respect God, Authority & our peers: I Peter 2:17 (shown above)

We must respect God: “It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.” Deuteronomy 13:4 (NIV)

We must respect our governmental authority: “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Romans 13:1 (NIV)
We must respect our peers:“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10 (NIV)
We must respect all elders:“Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:32 (NIV)
We must respect our parents: “Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 19:3 (NIV)

ANTONYMS: condemn, disobey, dishonor, scorn, disregard, ignore

We disrespect God when we disrespect our authorities: “Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:2 (NIV)
True respect is in the heart, not just in actions: “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows' houses, and for appearance's sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” Luke 20:46, 47 (NASB)

BIBLE STORIES/LESSONS

• Abram Bows to the Angel of the Lord (Genesis 18: 1-15)—Abram is visited by 3visitors who tell him Sarah will be with child the following year
• Eli’s sons Honor Themselves Above the Lord (I Samuel 2:12-17; 22-25)—Hopni & Phinehas were wicked priests that changed God’s laws to fit their desires 
• Eli Honors His Sons Above the Lord (I Samuel 2:27-36; 3:12-14)—After reprimanding his sons, Eli did nothing further to correct them.
• Samuel Honors the Lord (I Samuel 3)—The Lord calls out to Samuel & the Lord promises to honor him.
• The Israelites Honor the World (I Samuel 8)—The Israelites want a king like the other nations instead of having God as their King.
• Goliath Disrespects Israel (I Samuel 17:1-52)—David defeats Goliath
• David Respects Saul (I Samuel 18:28-29; 19:1-12; 22:14; 24:1-22)—David respects Saul because God has made him king even though Saul seeks to kill him.
• Kids Make Fun of Elisha (2 Kings 2:23-25)—Some youth make fun of his bald head so God sends 2 bears to kill them.
• God is Worthy of Our Best (1 Chronicles 29:10-16)—David praises the Lord.
• Hezekiah’s Prayer (Isaiah 36:13-21, 37:1-4, 14-15, 21-23, 33-39)—Sennacherib’s men mocked Hezekiah & God. Hezekiah prayed & God sent an angel to fight for them. We should remain silent when others mock us! Those that disrespect God will be punished.
• King Belshazzar Disrespects God (Daniel 5; I Samuel 2:30)—He uses some of the temple gold goblets for a party. He dies later that night.
• The Golden Rule (Mathew 7:12; Philippians 2:3)—Treat others as you would want to be treated.
• A Centurion meets Jesus (Mathew 8:5-13)—God is in charge of everything
• Respecting Authority (Romans 13:1-7)—God calls us to respect those that He has put in authority over us. 
• Anger vs. Respectfulness (James 1:19-20)—We should be quick to listen, slow to speak & slow to become angry.
• Taming the Tongue (James 3:9-12)—We should use our words to praise God & to be kind to others.

Optional definitions for Respect
 -displaying someone is in charge by what you say & do
 -honoring those around you by your words & actions
 -showing someone is important by your attitude, words & actions