AY Honors/Christian Grooming & Manners/Answer Key

1. What well-balanced combination of strengths did Jesus develop as a growing youth? (Luke 2:52)

"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." - Luke 2:52

This verse indicates that Jesus grew mentally (wisdom) as well as physically (stature). He also grew spiritually (in favor with God) and emotionally (in favor with men). These four aspects of personal growth are the focus of the Adventist education system as well as the Pathfinder program.

2. According to Psalm 8 what estimate does God place on your personal worth?

The New International Version translates Psalm 8 as follows:

1 O LORD, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory

above the heavens.

2 From the lips of children and infants

you have ordained praise

because of your enemies,

to silence the foe and the avenger.

3 When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him,

the son of man that you care for him?

5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings

and crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands;

you put everything under his feet:

7 all flocks and herds,

and the beasts of the field,

8 the birds of the air,

and the fish of the sea,

all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

4. Demonstrate or discuss proper conversational skills, including:

a. The proper way to talk to adults

Children should address adults using the words Mr, Mrs, and Miss, followed by that person's last name. They should avoid using an adult's first name unless it is also used with a last name. For example, "I talked to John about borrowing his tools," would be considered disrespectful, but saying "I talked to John Smith about borrowing his tools" or "I talked to Mr. Smith about borrowing his tools" shows proper respect.

When speaking to an adult (or anyone else), do not mumble. Avoid slang. Be sure to use such words as "sir," "ma'am," "please," and "thank you." Make eye contact.

b. How to address people and make proper introductions

When addressing adults, again it is respectful to use their last names, as in "Mr Smith" or "Miss Jones." When making introductions, say a woman's name before a man's. If they are both the same sex, use the the older person's name before using younger person's. For instance, you would introduce Mr. Smith and Miss Jones by saying "Miss Jones, I would like for you to meet Mr. Jones." Be sure to allow room so that they may shake hands. You would introduce Mr. Smith to your friend William by saying "Mr. Smith, this is my friend William." You may then tell something about William: "William and I have known each other since the third grade."

c. Questions to avoid

Do not comment on any physical defects in a person, or ask personal questions:

"How long have you had that wart on your elbow?"

"Don't you think you should try to lose a little weight?"

"How much money do you make?"

d. How to think of pleasant things to say

• Think of something that has happened to you in the recent past that you found pleasant and talk about that.
• When talking to adults with children or grandchildren, ask about them.
• Ask where the person grew up and what it was like there.
• Ask if the person has a pet, and if so, what that per's favorite thing to do is.
• Tell about a recent Pathfinder event, such as a campout or a club meeting.
• Tell about an honor that you have enjoyed earning, and what you had to do to earn it.

e. How to show concern for the feelings of others

One way to show concern for others during a conversation is to practice active listening. In active listening, you restate what the other person has said to you, but in different words. If you misunderstand what was said and restate it incorrectly, your partner in conversation will know and can clarify. Active listening is one way to let the other person know that you are indeed listening.

One mistake that people often make in conversing is changing the subject before the partner was ready to. For example:

Bad Form

Alice: "My sister was in a car accident yesterday."

Bob: "That's too bad. Did I tell you I beat level 14 in 'Mega Chipmunk Death Rally' this morning?"

Better Form

Alice: "My sister was in a car accident yesterday."

Bob: "Your sister was in an accident? Is she OK?"

It is also important to show concern for the person before considering other ramifications:

Bad Form

Alice: "My sister was in a car accident yesterday."

Bob: "Really? She still owes me five bucks!"

Better Form

Alice: "My sister was in a car accident yesterday."

Bob: "I'm sorry to hear that. Did she have to go to the hospital?"

f. What to say when you answer the door

When answering the door, if the visitor has come to speak to an adult in the family and he is known to you, invite him in while you get the person requested. If the visitor is unknown, kindly ask him to wait until you can get the person requested. If no one else is home, tell the visitor so only if you know the visitor, and ask if you can relay a message for him.

g. How to answer the telephone correctly

When answering the phone at home, nothing beats this old classic: "Hello?"

There is no need to give out personal information by saying "Anthony residence, this is Susan," nor do you need to tell them the number they have just dialed. A simple "Hello" is all you really need.

When answering for a business, the rules change. In this case, you are expected to answer with the name of the company, as in "Spacely Sprockets, how may I help you?"

6. List seven points showing the power of correct posture. Check your posture and body profile. Demonstrate how to stand and sit correctly. Read Education, by Ellen G. White, page 198, paragraph 3, and note the benefits mentioned that come to you as a result of correct posture.

Good posture does the following:

1. Provides optimal balance.
2. Optimizes breathing.
3. Affects the circulation of bodily fluids.
4. Reduces back pain.
5. Protects the joints from strain.
6. Expresses confidence.
7. Is considered an integral part of physical attractiveness.
8. Improves the body's ability to carry heavy loads.
9. Protects against spinal deformity as a person ages.

Education, page 198, paragraph 3 reads as follows:

"Among the first things to be aimed at should be a correct position, both in sitting and in standing. God made man upright, and He desires him to possess not only the physical but the mental and moral benefit, the grace and dignity and self-possession, the courage and self-reliance, which an erect bearing so greatly tends to promote. Let the teacher give instruction on this point by example and by precept. Show what a correct position is, and insist that it shall be maintained."

7. Give two reasons why physical fitness is important. Explain the relationship between proper diet, exercise, and weight control.

Exercise keeps your organs functioning properly, avoiding blockages and poor circulation. A healthy diet is also important for weight control. Excessive weight causes disease.