It is a godly thing to respect the elderly, and yet this does not happen a lot in our society today. I believe it is important that we practically teach our children how to respond to older people. The following are 10 pointers for young people, and to help you teach your children. You may like to print them out and pin them up for your children. I will also be grateful to hear other pointers from you.
1. Do not ignore them. If older people are in the room, always make an effort to speak to them. Do not only talk to your peers and forget about them
2. When you meet them, tell them your name clearly and shake their hand. When shaking the hand of an older person it is nice to place both your hands on their hand. This shows further endearment and honor because of their age. In some African countries they bow before elders. They did this in biblical times, too.
3. Address them appropriately. Do not call elders by their first name, but show respect and address them as Mr. or Mrs. unless you are told otherwise.
4. If you are sitting in a room when an elderly person walks in, immediately stand up to greet them. This is mandated in God's Word. Leviticus 19:32: "Thou shalt RISE UP before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord." The NET translation says: "You must STAND UP in the presence of the aged."
5. Speak clearly, articulately, and slowly when talking to the elderly. Do not mumble. A lot of older people are deaf and cannot understand the mumbling of many young people. They want to understand what you are saying, so make sure they can hear and understand you.
6. Look out for opportunities to assist them by opening doors, helping them to walk steadily, or carry parcels or their bag for them.
7. Listen politely to what they have to say. Look in their face when you speak to them. God wants you to learn from your elders. Stay interested even when they repeat the same story over and over again.
8. Ask questions. When you ask questions about their life and what they have done during their life, you will be surprised what you will learn. Gain all the information you can from them for the time will come when that information will go to the grave and you won't be able to retrieve it. Get all the information you can now.
9. Think of kind things you can do for them. Ask if there is anything you can get for them. Ask if you can make them a cup of tea or coffee. Ask them if they would like you to read to them. Think of special treats for them.
10. If your grandparents do not live close and you cannot visit them regularly, send letters and cards to them regularly. They long to hear from you. Don't deprive them.
~ Nancy Campbell