May | Respect
God created us in His image; He values everyone.
Respect is showing that we care about how others feel.
We show respect with our words and actions.
Respect is a translation of the Greek word timēsate, meaning “honor or value.”
Valuable Verses
“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” 1 Peter 2:17 (NIV)
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Romans 12:10 (NIV)
“Do not speak angrily to an older man, but plead with him as if he were your father. Treat younger men like brothers, older women like mothers, and younger women like sisters. Always treat them in a pure way.” 1 Timothy 5: 1-2 (NCV)
A Word of Encouragement
To give or receive...What comes first? It seems like an easy question. Gifts must be given before one can receive them, right? When we think about respect, do we first think about giving (being respectful) or receiving (being respected)? We sometimes expect respect without realizing we may be falling short of extending it first.
Respect can be learned if we start by teaching it with our words; then it can be practiced if we model it with our actions, and finally, it will become a habit if we consistently encourage it. We can teach respect by simply using words like “Please” and “Thank you” and by reading what God says about respect. As we model respect constantly and consistently, our children will not only gain self-respect but also learn how to act respectfully.
Get the Conversation Going
Take a moment to discuss these questions as a family:
• What are some actions that show others that they are valued?
• What words or phrases do you think of to describe respectful behavior?
• What can we do to show respect to others?
• Can you think of an example from the Bible where someone showed respect toward another? How many examples can you find in the Bible?
Be sure to check the monthly activity page for age-appropriate ideas and ways to live respectfully.
