Teacher
God bless you! How have you been this week?
Student
God bless you! I’ve been doing well.
By the way, why do we always say “God bless you” when we greet each other at church?
By the way, why do we always say “God bless you” when we greet each other at church?
Teacher
We say it because we want others to always receive God’s blessings. God gives us so many blessings, but the greatest of all is the blessing of the kingdom of heaven.
Just as the compliments we give to our brothers and sisters can come back to us, when we sincerely wish God’s blessings upon them, we too can receive many blessings. “God bless you” is a beautiful greeting that God has taught us.
Just as the compliments we give to our brothers and sisters can come back to us, when we sincerely wish God’s blessings upon them, we too can receive many blessings. “God bless you” is a beautiful greeting that God has taught us.
Student
I think I’ve been saying “God bless you” just out of habit.
And there have been many times when I didn’t say it at all.
And there have been many times when I didn’t say it at all.
Teacher
Greetings are really important in everyday life too. They’re one of the most basic ways we show respect to others. We should greet not only our friends and teachers, but also the people meet in our daily lives, such as bus drivers and store clerks.
Student
Ever since I was little, I’ve often been told that I should greet people properly.
But I feel shy about being the first to say hello. It can feel awkward, like I’m being overly familar, and it would be embarrassing if they didn’t greet me back.
But I feel shy about being the first to say hello. It can feel awkward, like I’m being overly familar, and it would be embarrassing if they didn’t greet me back.
Teacher
It might feel awkward at first. Taking the first step is the hardest part, but once you keep doing it, it’ll become a good habit.
The Bible tells us to love our brothers and sisters and honor them above ourselves, right?
We can put that into practice in our greetings too—by taking the initiative and saying hello first. It makes the other person feel good, and you’ll feel good about it too.
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Ro 12:10
The Bible tells us to love our brothers and sisters and honor them above ourselves, right?
We can put that into practice in our greetings too—by taking the initiative and saying hello first. It makes the other person feel good, and you’ll feel good about it too.
Student
Okay! Starting today, I’ll be brave and try to say hello first!
Teacher
Good! Practicing each of these good manners is also an expression of the love that God’s children should have.
“Not dishonoring others” means being respectful in the way we speak and act. In other words, good manners are one way we can show love.
Greet people warmly, treat them with courtesy and kindness, and use polite and appropriate language when you speak to them.
Showing good manners like this is one way we practice the kind of love God wants us to have.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
1 Co 13:4—7
“Not dishonoring others” means being respectful in the way we speak and act. In other words, good manners are one way we can show love.
Greet people warmly, treat them with courtesy and kindness, and use polite and appropriate language when you speak to them.
Showing good manners like this is one way we practice the kind of love God wants us to have.
Student
I’m so comfortable around my family and close friends that sometimes I speak without thinking.
Teacher
The closer we are to someone, the more careful we should be about our manners and the way we speak. That way, we can avoid misunderstandings and hurting each other’s feelings.
“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.”
Eph 4:29
Teacher
We should use kind and encouraging words that build others up. That means avoiding rude or offensive language, slang, and disrespectful ways of speaking, as well as words that put others down or criticize them.
One good way to do this is to think about the words that have encouraged or comforted you and try saying those same kinds of words to others.
One good way to do this is to think about the words that have encouraged or comforted you and try saying those same kinds of words to others.
Student
Greeting people and choosing our words carefully seem simple, but they’re actually harder than they look.
Teacher
That’s true. Think about God. Although God is the Most High, He Himself came to this earth and set an example of serving others. He also gives us strength and courage through warm, encouraging words.
We have received God’s abundant love and even the blessing of going to heaven. When we think about all the grace we have received, we too can become more like God. And although greetings and the words we use may seem like small things, they can make us shine and play an important role in revealing God’s glory.
We have received God’s abundant love and even the blessing of going to heaven. When we think about all the grace we have received, we too can become more like God. And although greetings and the words we use may seem like small things, they can make us shine and play an important role in revealing God’s glory.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Mt 5:16
Student
Wow! From now on, I’m going to make sure I greet people properly and speak more thoughtfully too.
Thank you! And God bless you sooo much!
Thank you! And God bless you sooo much!
Teacher
Haha. Thank you! God bless you sooo much too!