Punctuality: A Spiritual
Reinforcement
“Then Jesus said to them, My time has not
yet come, but your time is always ready.”
John 7:6
Punctuality
“You know his proven character…” Philippians 2:22
Punctuality is the character trait for the month of April. Listed below are suggestions that could be used
as a springboard to partner with NRCA teachers in instructing and explaining this principle to your
children.
Definition – Being consistently on time. Promptness, reliability, timekeeping, regularity
Antonym – Lateness, tardiness, delay
Key Verse – “Then Jesus said to them, My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.”
John 7:6
Related Hymns. Sing these Songs with Your Children! Focus on Songs about Punctuality.
• Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Thomas O. Chisholm, 1
• I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go (Mary Brown, 19th cent.)
• It May Be at Morn (H.L. Turner 1878)
• Jesus Is Coming Again (John W. Peterson, 1957)
• Just When I Need Him (William C. Poole, 1907)
• Zion, Haste (Mary A. Thompson, 1868)
• When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder (James M. Black, 1893)
Bible Verses Related to Punctuality - Spend several evenings looking at just one of these verses at a
time. Don’t forget to ask your children the questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? And How?
Discuss with your family what each verse teaches about the character quality of Punctuality and give
vital application of how this quality can be applied to your family. Choose several verses to memorize
together as a family.
Genesis 21:2 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God
had spoken to him.
Esther 4:14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall enlargement and deliverance
arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth
whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Psalms 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: He is their strength in the time of
trouble.
Psalms 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Psalms 108:2 Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 He hath made every thing beautiful in His time: also He hath set the world in their
heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Song of Solomon 2:7 I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the
field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.
Song of Solomon 3:1 To every thing there is]a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
Matthew 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time
the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into
prison.
Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with
him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mark 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
Mark 14:72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto
him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny Me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Romans 13:11 And that, knowing that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation
nearer than when we believed.
1 Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I
speak this to your shame.
2 Corinthians 6:2 For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I
succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman,
made under the law,
Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again
which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of
strong meat.
Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall
He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or
else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Revelation 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword
of my mouth.
Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this
book.
Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according
as his work shall be.
Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come,
Lord Jesus.
Bible Stories as a part of your family devotions. All of these stories emphasize Punctuality.
• Abraham when asked to offer Isaac (Gen. 22:1-18) (Key Verse:3)
• Esther in responding to Mordicai's plea and he in carrying out her request (Esther 4)
• Jesus' Birth and Death (Luke 2 and 23) (Key Verses: Gal. 4:4-5 and Rom 5:6)
• The Magi in bringing gifts to Jesus (Luke 2:1-12) (Key Verse: 11)
How to Demonstrate Punctuality
at Home
• Giving priority to appointments made with family members.
• Assisting other family members so they can be where they need to be, on time.
• Being in the car in good time so as not to make the whole family late.
• Going to bed on time in order to get up on time the next day.
• Promptly responding to letters and phone calls.
• Being quick to praise other family members.
• Paying bills promptly.
at Work/School
• Working ahead so as to complete homework assignments and projects on time.
• Being at your desk before class begins.
• Being on time for appointments.
• Planning each day's activities ahead of time.
at Church
• Arriving early before each service begins.
• Not holding grudges with other church members - being quick to forgive.
• Giving your tithe promptly each week.
The "I Wills" of Punctuality
• I will be at the right place at the right time.
• I will prepare for unexpected delays.
• I will do my work ahead of time.
• I will plan a daily schedule and keep it.
• I will not fall into the trap of "just once more."
Character Definitions of Punctuality
• Learning to arrange my schedule around the appointments that are made.
• Showing respect for others by doing the right thing at the right time.
• Showing consideration for other people and their time.
• Exact in keeping time and appointments; done at the exact time.
How to Teach Punctuality to Children
There is nothing more obnoxious than an adult who is always late. This bad habit can affect an adult's
career and relationships in a negative manner. Early childhood offers many opportunities to teach children
their place in a relationship to others. Taught early, children can develop good traits such as being
punctual and honoring others' time. These five steps will help enhance punctuality in your children.
1. Be a good example. Tell your child when you are working on a deadline to be on time and why
you feel it is important. Try your best to get to places on time, or even a bit early, and remark how
good it makes you feel to be punctual.
2. Point out negative tardiness in others when you see it happen. Without being harshly judgmental,
explain to your children that being late can be hurtful and self-centered. Especially when someone
is late for them, show them that what they are feeling is how others feel when he/she is late.
3. Reward good punctual behavior with compliments and treats. Positive reinforcement is always the
best teacher.
4. Allow children to experience consequences when they are late. They may lose a chance to go to a
special place because they miss a ride, lose their place in line, or miss out on a coveted seat at the
table. Don't rush to make things right when your children are not punctual due to their own
behavior.
5. Teach children how to pace themselves and how to project how much time is needed to be
prepared for a ride or responsibility. Watch the clock with them when they are dressing or bathing,
and point out how long it typically takes them. Tell them when you see them procrastinating.
Yellowstone's Old Faithful – A Well-known Example of Punctuality
Old Faithful is a cone geyser located in Wyoming, in Yellowstone National
Park in the United States.
Old Faithful erupts more frequently than any of the other big geysers in
Yellowstone National Park. Its average interval between eruptions is about 76
minutes. An eruption lasts 1 1/2 to 5 minutes, expels 3,700 - 8,400 gallons of
boiling water, and reaches heights of 106 - 184 feet.
It was named by members of the Washburn Expedition in 1870 for its
consistent performance. Old Faithful is still as spectacular and punctual as it
was a century ago.