Elementary Level, Block 7—Salomon, Kings and Prophets
Week 67
Daniel—Knowing How to Properly Ask for Something
Point to Emphasize: We can use our manners and speak respectfully to others.
Reference Reading: Daniel 1:3-19
Memory Verse: …But pleasant words are pure. (Proverbs 15:26)
Story Sample:
Do you remember whom we talked about last week? We talked about four boys—who can tell me their names (Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah)? We learned that from the time they were young they had a good habit of learning so many different things.
Now, I want to tell you more about Daniel. While he and all of God’s people were in this different country, he had to learn many things, including a new language. At that time, the people in that country did some things that were not right for God’s people. One day Daniel was asked to do something he knew was wrong, and Daniel had to make a big decision against the king’s orders. You know what he did? He decided in his heart to follow his parents’ way and to refuse to do something he knew was not right. Daniel did not refuse in a very proud and rude way, but refused in a proper and polite way by saying, “please.”
Daniel made the best decision to take his parents’ way of following God, and he also knew how to properly ask for something. Manners are so important. Daniel knew how to speak respectfully to adults.
What other things can we say to show good manners? (Thank you, May I __?, Good morning, Excuse me.) Did we use these words this morning? Did you greet the serving ones when you came in the door? How about when the snacks were being passed around and you didn’t want any grapes? Did you say, “I don’t want that!”? Or did you say, “No, thank you”? Did you say “Please” when you asked for more crackers?
Daniel was really a fine young man. He made a big decision for God and he used the word “please.” And it was not just him. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah stuck together. They were companions who took God’s way, their parents’ way, together. Isn’t it good that God gave Daniel such companions?
My daughter is 6 years old and my son is 3 years old. Sometimes, my son would ask for a snack but would forget to say “please.” At times, his older sister would remind him, but she would say it in a bossy way, “You forgot to say ‘please’!” Other times, she would remind him in a very nice way, “Remember to ask nicely and say ‘please’.” Whenever his sister would remind him nicely, he would always be happy to say “please.” As their mom it makes me very happy when they are polite to me and to each other. And it’s even better when they remember to say it without anyone reminding them. [Storyteller, insert your own story about using good manners or not using good manners.]
Maybe this week we can all practice speaking respectfully like Daniel and practice having good manners and using polite words. We can do this with adults and also with one another. If one of us forgets, we can remind one another in a nice way that we should speak politely.