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.)
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.
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Cherry Urhere says
April 26, 2019 at 2:20 amI really loved this piece. Thank you Lisa, for allowing God to use you . God bless your home continually.
Summer says
September 14, 2013 at 10:31 pmThis is amazing! Going for everyone to follow.
david ekeng says
September 6, 2013 at 7:20 amThanks
Ma. del Carmen Martínez. says
August 15, 2013 at 5:54 pmgracias por compartir la sabiduria que Dios te ha dado
Ma. del Carmen Martínez. says
August 15, 2013 at 5:53 pmgracias por compartirla sabiduria que Dios te ha dado
Ma. del Carmen Martínez. says
August 15, 2013 at 5:50 pmque Dios te ha dado
Grace says
July 15, 2013 at 7:25 pmThanks! I have two girl and a boy and he is my baby. I always tell people I’m glad he came last because he might have been an only child. Loved it!
Frances Enid Vazquez says
July 4, 2013 at 12:06 pmDoy gracias a Dios por su ministerio. Ha sido de gran bendicion para mi y mi familia. Estamos implementando en nuestro ministerio de ninos y juveniles en Puerto Rico muchas de sus ideas y consejos. Excelente!
AndyG says
June 30, 2013 at 1:23 amThis is an excellent list, although the omission of prayerfulness is striking- surely none of the others are possible without it.
Lisa says
June 30, 2013 at 6:12 pmYou are so right! I can’t believe prayer isn’t on this list. If I had to do it over again, I’d make it “25 Ways” and put prayer very close to the top! Thanks for pointing that out. Blessings, Lisa
Hannah says
May 24, 2013 at 7:10 pmI hope my guy is like this one day
Dawndra says
May 22, 2013 at 3:15 pmI’m a cub scout leader and these will be a great addition to our teaching ideas!
Thanks!
Kendra says
May 7, 2013 at 1:30 pmI shared your wonderful blog on my blog! With an idea on how to get the kids to notice it 🙂 Have a blessed and joyous day!
Lisa says
May 7, 2013 at 8:01 pmThank you, Kendra! How kind of you! And blessings on your day, as well.
Beka says
May 3, 2013 at 7:11 amSuch a great biblical list! So practical too! Thanks for sharing!
Cam says
May 3, 2013 at 6:53 amThank you for this.
Cami says
April 30, 2013 at 8:21 pmIs there a free printable for the girl verses?
Lisa says
April 30, 2013 at 8:39 pmNot yet, Cami, but I’m working on one and should have it ready in a couple of days!
Agnes says
April 25, 2013 at 5:48 pmThank you for sharing this. I’m happy to know that there are mums who sharing such good “old-fashioned” wisdom and values.
Tehila says
April 25, 2013 at 2:49 amFantastic list! Will be following my little men around and drumming these requirements into them 🙂
Blessings and love to you… xxx
ginny says
April 25, 2013 at 12:51 amI have 4 grandsons 2 who are old enough to understand this I want to frame a copy of this and give it to them and hopefully they will follow.
sarah says
April 23, 2013 at 9:30 pmthese are great thoughts! Thanks for sharing them – with three boys I know I’ll be referring back to this often.
Heather says
April 23, 2013 at 8:15 pmi LOVE this. i love that almost all of them have scripture references. i thought of psalm 119:11 for #14. can anybody else think of other scripture references for the others that don’t have references? i’d like to post this in my home too and think it would be even more powerful with scriptures attached to each number.
i teach my boys #19. i’d like to add to offer her your seat. specifically if a woman is in a room when my boys are present, they stand up and offer their seat and usually don’t sit down even if she doesn’t want the seat. same with people who are older than they are
Momofmany says
April 23, 2013 at 1:58 pmI have 5 boys and love that someone else shares my goals of raising REAL gentlemen! This is very well done and very well stated! Thank you so much!
Susie@homemaker-mom.com says
April 23, 2013 at 1:37 pmAmazing list of wisdom. I love it. Thanks so much!
Mapipi says
April 23, 2013 at 8:01 amThank you. Exactly what I need.
April Chin says
April 23, 2013 at 7:57 amThank you so much for these!! I have 3 boys, 13, 10 and 4! I just copied these into Word so I could print it and frame it and hang it on the wall! Thanks again, this is just what I was looking for!
Jenifer says
April 23, 2013 at 7:51 amLisa, I LOVE this! Thank you for sharing. I have two boys that are very much…BOYS. 🙂 This is wonderful encouragement.
Christy Fitzwater says
April 23, 2013 at 6:31 amThis is wonderful. Thank you!!