Bible Verse

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: (Luk 22:17)

Coloring/Teaching

Let’s color a picture of Bobby today (point to Bobby and smile). Bobby is eating his lunch! Is Bobby’s mouth open while he is eating (point to Bobby’s mouth)? No! (shake head No) Bobby is eating with his mouth closed (go through the motions of chewing with your mouth closed and then with your mouth open). Good job, Bobby!! (smile and clap your hands). Do you see Bobby’s juice box? (point to the juice box) What happens when Bobby sips his juice box and it’s almost empty? (Show them what it sounds like by taking an almost empty glass of water and sip through a staw.) It is not good manners to make noise when we eat. Is it good manners for Bobby to make his juice box make noise while he sips? (shake your head No and frown) No, it’s not good manners at all! Bobby is smiling because he has used all his good manners at lunch today! Yeh, Bobby (clap your hands and smile)!

Table Manners
Author Unknown
(Sung to: “Frere Jacques”)

Chewing quietly, chewing quietly
Do not slurp, do not slurp,
We must say excuse me,
We must say excuse me
When we burp,
When we burp.

Oh, Before I Eat My Meals
Author Unknown
(Sung to: “If You’re Happy and You Know it”)

Oh, before I eat my meals, I wash my hands,
(scrub, scrub)
Oh, before I eat my meals, I wash my hands,
(scrub, scrub)
Oh, it’s very smart I think,
Sends those germs right down the sink.
Oh, before I eat my meals, I wash my hands.
(scrub, scrub)

Oh, before I eat my meals, I set my place,
(set, set)
Oh, before I eat my meals, I set my place,
(set, set)
I set everything I need,
I feel very proud, indeed.
Oh, before I eat my meals, I set my place.
(set, set)

Oh, before I eat my meals, I say my prayers,
(bow your head)
Oh, before I eat my meals, I say my prayers,
(bow your head)
‘Asking God to bless my food
Before I eat is always good
Oh, before I eat my meals, I say my prayers.

Oh, before I eat my meals, I pass the food,
(pass the plate)
Oh, before I eat my meals, I pass the food,
(pass the plate)
‘Cause we know it’s only fair
For us all to have our share
Oh, before I eat my meals, I pass the food.

Bible Time

Let’s open the Bible and learn what God says about lying.

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: (Luk 22:17)

Story

Bobby and Mary washed their hands and came running to the table to eat lunch. Bobby remembered the lesson on manners Mommy had taught them this morning at the breakfast table. Bobby wanted to surprise Mommy and do all the things she taught. Bobby and Mary sat down and bowed their heads and prayed. They thanked God for their food.

Bobby helped Mary open her straw and put it in her juice box. That was very nice of Bobby to help his sister, wasn’t it (shake head Yes, smile and clap your hands)? Bobby put potato chips in Mary’s plate and then he put some in his plate. Mommy saw that Bobby had done just what Jesus had done. He gave food to his sister before he helped himself. Good job, Bobby!, Mommy said. (smile and clap your hands)

Bobby took a bite out of his peanut butter sandwich and chewed with his mouth closed. He did not make loud noises while he was chewing. (shake head No and frown) Mommy saw how good Bobby’s manners were, so she said, “Bobby, your manners are very good! I am so proud of you!” (smile and clap your hands)

Mommy asked Bobby if he wanted more potato chips. Bobby said, “Yes, please!” When Mommy put more potato chips in Bobby’s plate, Bobby said, “Thank you, Mommy!” Good job Bobby! (smile and clap your hands)

After Bobby and Mary were finished eating, Bobby asked Mommy, “May I be excused from the table, please?” (smile while you’re saying this) Mommy excused Bobby from the table. Bobby helped pick up his dirty dishes and put his empty juice box and napkin into the trash can. Good job, Bobby! (smile and clap your hands)

Teaching Throughout the Day

Have a pretend meal to teach your children what manners are expected at the table.
1. Pray before eating
2. Serve others before yourself
3. Say please when asking for something
4. Say thank you when given something
5. Chew with your mouth closed
6. Don’t make noises when you eat
7. Ask to be excused from the table
8. Thank Mom for the good meal
9. Pick up your place setting

Take this time to teach your children that good manners show others how much we love God because we are following Jesus’ example. Jesus prayed over His food and passed it around to others. When we follow His example, we are showing others that we are like Him.

Dear God…
Help me to have good manners so people will see that I love You.
Amen!