24 Ways to Prepare Your Young Man to Become a Gentleman

How can we teach our sons to grow up with behavior that is godly? Being a boy doesn’t mean it’s acceptable to be rude and rowdy.

Boys will be boys.

For sure. But he can learn to be a gentleman as well. A gentleman in the right sense – not in a sissy, unreasonable manner – but a kind, respectful and godly young man.

It’s not that we’d ask our son to sit with his hands folded or keep him from running, building or exploring. No way. But we do hope he’ll learn to be wise, to consider others, and to remember that he’s a son of the King.

A true gentleman.

24 Ways to Prepare Him to be A Gentleman

Fear The Lord. It’s the beginning of knowledge. Prov. 1:7
Listen carefully. A wise man listens intently and learns much. Prov. 1:5
Pay attention to your father’s instruction. You’ll be glad you did. Prov. 1:8
And don’t forget your mother’s teaching. She has wisdom to offer. Prov. 1:8b
Control your temper. “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty. And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city” (Prov. 16:32).
Keep your word. A gentleman follows through on what he says he will do.
Don’t hang out with the ungodly. Bad company corrupts good morals. I Cor. 15:33.
Invest in strong, loyal friendships. The kind of friend who “sticks closer than a brother” (Prov. 18:24).
Do what needs to be done. Without being told. Don’t wait to be asked when you know what you should do.
Look sharp. Not sloppy or slovenly – simply neat and clean will do.
Trust in The Lord. And don’t rely on your own understanding. Prov. 3:5
Don’t chafe at correction. Consider it an opportunity to learn and grow. Prov. 3:11.
Be known as a hard worker. Learn to enjoy your job and take on whatever must be tackled. Prov. 6:6.
Walk in purity. Avert your eyes and run from immorality. There is power in purity.
Be polite. “Courtesy is as much a mark of a gentleman as courage.” – Theodore Roosevelt
Work out. Keep in shape. A young man should be strong and fit for whatever he might be called upon to carry out.
Watch over those who are younger or weaker than you. Never be too big for the small.
Serve others. To humbly serve is a very manly quality. Don’t let anyone ever tell you differently. Follow Christ’s example. (Phil. 2).
Look after the ladies. Step back to let her in the door first. Offer to carry heavy items for her. Protect and defend her.
Make study a life-long habit. Commit to learning as much as you can about as many subjects as you can. Read books, research, observe and ask questions.
Show respect for those who are older than you. Look them in the eye and shake their hand. Listen to what they have to say.
Flee from sin. Get out of there immediately when you encounter temptation. (I Tim. 6:11).
Be bold. As a lion. A righteous man doesn’t need be shy about what’s right. Prov. 28:1.
Love God’s Word. Blessed is the man…whose delight is in the law of The Lord. Psalm 1.

A FREE Printable of these can be found here: 24 Ways to a Gentleman – Free Printable

So yes, boys will be boys. But let’s prepare them to be gentlemen too.

In His grace,

(This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure.)

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Lisa

Owner at Club 31 Women

Lisa is the happily-ever-after wife of Matt Jacobson and together they enjoy raising and home-educating their 8 children in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She encourages women to embrace the rich life of loving relationships and the high calling of being a wife and mother. Lisa is the author of 100 Ways to Love Your Husband and her husband is the author of 100 Ways to Love Your Wife. Matt and Lisa are also the co-hosts of the FAITHFUL LIFE podcast where they talk about what it means to be a biblical Christian in marriage, parenting, church, and culture.