Eden, a Model School

The system of education instituted at the beginning of the world was to be a model for man throughout all aftertime. As an illustration of its principles a model school was established in Eden, the home of our first parents. The Garden of Eden was the schoolroom, nature was the lesson book, the Creator Himself was the instructor, and the parents of the human family were the students. . .To Adam and Eve was committed the care of the garden, "to dress it and to keep it." Genesis 2:15. . .The book of nature, which spread its living lessons before them, afforded an exhaustless source of instruction and delight. On every leaf of the forest and stone of the mountains, in every shining star, in earth and sea and sky, God's name was written. With both the animate and the inanimate creation--with leaf and flower and tree, and with every living creature, from the leviathan of the waters to the mote in the sunbeam--the dwellers in Eden held converse, gathering from each the secrets of its life. God's glory in the heavens, the innumerable worlds in their orderly revolutions, "the balancings of the clouds" (Job 37:16), the mysteries of light and sound, of day and night--all were objects of study by the pupils of earth's first school. 

Ellen White, Education, Chapter 2 (portions).

No School Equal

There is no school equal to a decent home and no teacher equal to a virtuous parent.

Mahatma Gandhi

I can't think of one great human being in the arts, or in history generally, who conformed, who succeeded, as educational experts tell us children must succeed, with his peer group...If a child in their classrooms does not succeed with his peer group, then it would seem to many that both child and teacher have failed. Have they? If we ever, God forbid, manage to make each child succeed with his peer group, we will produce a race of bland and faceless nonentities, and all poetry and mystery will vanish from the face of the earth.

Madeleine L'Engle, A Circle of Quiet

The Power to Think and to Do

Every human being, created in the image of God, is endowed with a power akin to that of the Creator-- individuality, power to think and to do. The men in whom this power is developed are the men who bear responsibilities, who are leaders in enterprise, and who influence character. It is the work of true education to develop this power, to train the youth to be thinkers, and not mere reflectors of other men's thought. Instead of confining their study to that which men have said or written, let students be directed to the sources of truth, to the vast fields opened for research in nature and revelation. Let them contemplate the great facts of duty and destiny, and the mind will expand and strengthen. 

Ellen White, Education, pg. 17

What is True Education?

True education is not the forcing of instruction on an unready and unreceptive mind. The mental powers must be awakened, the interest aroused. For this, God's method of teaching provided. He who created the mind and ordained its laws, provided for its development in accordance with them. In the home and the sanctuary, through the things of nature and of art, in labor and in festivity, in sacred building and memorial stone, by methods and rites and symbols unnumbered, God gave to Israel lessons illustrating His principles and preserving the memory of His wonderful works. Then, as inquiry was made, the instruction given impressed mind and heart.

In the arrangements for the education of the chosen people it is made manifest that a life centered in God is a life of completeness. Every want He has implanted, He provides to satisfy; every faculty imparted, He seeks to develop. 

Ellen White, Education, pg. 41

Teach Service to God

When the happiest period of their life has come, and they in their hearts love Jesus and wish to be baptized, then deal faithfully with them. Before they receive the ordinance, ask them if it is to be their first purpose in life to work for God. Then tell them how to begin. It is the first lessons that mean so much. In simplicity teach them how to do their first service for God. Make the work as easy to be understood as possible. Explain what it means to give up self to the Lord, to do just as His word directs, under the counsel of Christian parents.

Testimonies to the Churches, vol. 6, p. 94

Lambs of Jesus Flock

Those who love God should feel deeply interested in the children and youth. To them God can reveal His truth and salvation. Jesus calls the little ones that believe on Him, the lambs of His flock. He has a special love for and interest in the children. . . . The most precious offering that the children can give to Jesus, is the freshness of their childhood. 

Reflecting Christ, p. 373

Laborers Together with God

Children should be so educated that they will sympathize with the aged and afflicted and will seek to alleviate the sufferings of the poor and distressed. They should be taught to be diligent in missionary work; and from their earliest years self-denial and sacrifice for the good of others and the advancement of Christ’s cause should be inculcated, that they may be laborers together with God.

Testimonies, v. 6, p. 429

Learning is a Treasure

Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.

Chinese Proverb

Formation of Home Characters

How interestedly the Lord Jesus knocks at the door of families where there are little children to be educated and trained! How gently he watches over the mothers' interest, and how sad He feels to see children neglected. . . . In the home characters are formed; human beings are molded and fashioned to be either a blessing or a curse.

That I My Know Him, p. 39

True Education & Knowledge

True education does not ignore the value of scientific knowledge or literary acquirements; but above information it values power; above power, goodness;above intellectual acquirements, character.

Education, p.225

True Education is...

True education means more than the perusal of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental,and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come.
Education, page 13

Sabbath, a Special Favor

God granted special favor to his children by offering them the Sabbath. Six days a week we can spend time with Jesus, but he set the Sabbath day apart especially for time with him. Celeste perrino Walker says... 

• "he meets with us just to be with us, to refresh us, to celebrate with us. The thousands of things that haunt us, the multiple forms of media that clamor for our attention, the need to do, to find, and to see is stilled for twenty-four hours as the God of the universe stoops low to meet with us for a weekly spiritual date." [Making Sabbath Special, page 16]

What a special favor!

What is a Blessing?

Blessing:  1. a. The act of one who blesses.  b. The prescribed words of ceremony for such an act.  2. An expression or utterance of good wishes.  3. A special favor granted by God.  4. Something promoting or contributing to happiness, well-being, or prosperity.  5. Approbation; approval.  6. A short prayer before or after a meal.

The American Heritage Dictionary

The Sabbath Blessing

"Blessed is the man who does this, the man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil."

Isaiah 56:2

Heaven is a School

Heaven is a school; its field of study, the universe; its teacher, the Infinite One.

Education, p. 301

Teacher & Mother

The child's first teacher is the mother.

Education, p. 275

Cultivating Every Faculty

In making a profession of faith in Christ we pledge ourselves to become all that it is possible for us to be as workers for the Master, and we should cultivate every faculty to the highest degree of perfection, that we may do the greatest amount of good of which we are capable.

Christ's Object Lessons, page 220 

Christ's Teaching

The subject of Christ's teaching and preaching was the word of God.

Christ's Object Lessons, page 39

Ragamuffin Irreverence

It is important that students bring a certain ragamuffin, barefoot irreverence to their studies; they are not here to worship what is known, but to question it.

Jacob Bronowski

Teaching from Nature

In His teaching from nature, Christ was speaking of the things which His own hands had made, and which had qualities and powers that He Himself had imparted.

Christ Object Lessons, p.18

He Received Them Gladly

As the children gathered the wildflowers growing so abundantly around them, and crowded up to present to Him their little offerings, He received them gladly, smiled upon them, and expressed His joy at seeing so many varieties of flowers.

TheUpward Look, p. 57

Sharing Childish Joys & Sorrows

Christ watched children at their play, and often expressed His approval when they gained an innocent victory over something they were determined to do. He sang to children in sweet and blessed words. They knew that He loved them. He never frowned on them. He shared their childish joys and sorrows. Often He would gather flowers, and after pointing out their beauties to the children, would leave them with them as a gift. He had made the flowers and He delighted to point out their beauties.

Upward Look, p. 57

Children, His Heritage

These children were His heritage. He knew that He had come to ransom them from the enemy by dying on the cross of Calvary. He spoke words to them that ever after they carried in their hearts. They were delighted to think that He appreciated their gifts and spoke so lovingly to them.

Upward Look, p. 57

Aim for Success

Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life. Remember that fear always lurks behind perfectionism.

David Burns

Self Education

Children have to be educated, but they have also to be left to educate themselves.

Ernest Dimnet

Jesus Smiled & Sang

It has been said that Jesus never smiled. This is not correct. A child in its innocence and purity called forth from His lips joyous song.

Manuscript 20, Feb. 12, 1902

A Hammer, a Nail

If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.

Abraham Maslow

Try Something New

Never be afraid to try something new.  Remember amateurs built the ark, but professionals built the Titanic.

Unknown

Create Your Future

The best way to predict your future is to create it.

Abraham Lincoln

A Right Direction or a Wrong One

It is during the first years of a child's life that his mind is most susceptible to impressions either good or evil. During these years decided progress is made in either a right direction or a wrong one.

Child Guidance, p. 193

Adopted into His Family

God wants every child of tender age to be His child, to be adopted into His family.

Counsels to Teachers and Parents, p. 169  

Jesus Draws the Children

When Jesus told the disciples not to forbid the children to come to Him, He was speaking to His followers in all ages,--to officers of the church, to ministers, helpers, and all Christians. Jesus is drawing the children, and He bids us, Suffer them to come; as if He would say, They will come if you do not hinder them.

Desire of Ages, p. 517

Choosing a Course of Action

Many neglect their duty during the first years of their children's lives, thinking that when they get older, they will then be very careful to repress wrong and educate them in the right. But the very time for them to do this work is when the children are babes in their arms. It is not right for parents to pet and humor their children; neither is it right for them to abuse them. A firm, decided, straightforward course of action will be productive of the best results.  

Child Guidance, p. 194  

Early Training of Children

Too much importance cannot be placed upon the early training of children. The lessons learned, the habits formed, during the years of infancy and childhood, have more to do with the formation of the character and the direction of the life than have all the instruction and training of the after years.

Ministry of Healing, p. 380

Conversion & Baptism

After faithful labor, if you are satisfied that your children understand the meaning of conversion and baptism, and are truly converted, let them be baptized. But, I repeat, first of all prepare yourselves to act as faithful shepherds in guiding their inexperienced feet in the narrow way of obedience. God must work in the parents that they may give to their children a right example, in love, courtesy, and Christian humility, and in an entire giving up of self to Christ. If you consent to the baptism of your children and then leave them to do as they choose, feeling no special duty to keep their feet in the straight path, you yourselves are responsible if they lose faith and courage and interest in the truth.

Testimonies to the Churches, vol. 6, p. 94

The First Seven Years

Too much importance cannot be placed on the early training of children. The lessons that the child learns during the first seven years of life have more to do with forming his character than all that it learns in future years.

Child Guidance, p. 193

Spiritual Development

Religious instruction should be given to children from their earliest years. It should be given, not in a condemnatory spirit, but in a cheerful, happy spirit. Mothers need to be on the watch constantly, lest temptation shall come to the children in such a form as not to be recognized by them. The parents are to guard their children with wise, pleasant instruction. As the very best friends of these inexperienced ones, they should help them in the work of overcoming, for it means everything to them to be victorious. They should consider that their own dear children who are seeking to do right are younger members of the Lord's family, and they should feel an intense interest in helping them to make straight paths in the King's highway of obedience. With loving interest they should teach them day by day what it means to be children of God and to yield the will in obedience to Him. Teach them that obedience to God involves obedience to their parents. This must be a daily, hourly work. Parents, watch, watch and pray, and make your children your companions.

Testimonies to the Churches, vol. 6, p. 93

Baptism & Character Building

Parents whose children desire to be baptized have a work to do, both in self-examination and in giving faithful instruction to their children. Baptism is a most sacred and important ordinance, and there should be a thorough understanding as to its meaning. It means repentance for sin, and the entrance upon a new life in Christ Jesus. There should be no undue haste to receive the ordinance. Let both parents and children count the cost. In consenting to the baptism of their children, parents sacredly pledge themselves to be faithful stewards over these children, to guide them in their character building. They pledge themselves to guard with special interest these lambs of the flock, that they may not dishonor the faith they profess. 

Testimonies to the Churches, Vol. 6, p. 93

The Seed and God's Word

The word of God is the seed. Every seed has in itself a germinating principle. In it the life of the plant is enfolded. So there is life in God's word.

Christ's Object Lesson, p. 38

Let the Children be Taught

Let the children be taught that as they open their minds to pure, loving thoughts and do loving and helpful deeds, they are clothing themselves with His beautiful garment of character.

Education, p. 249

Early Education Begins at Home

It is in the home that the education of the child is to begin.

Child Guidance, p. 17

Faithfulness in Duties

Parents, help your children to do the will of God by being faithful in the performance of duties which really belong to them as member of the family.

Child Guidance, p. 36

Faithful Work Home Educates

Faithful work done in the home educates others to do the same class of work.

Adventist Home, p. 33

Obedience

Parents must learn the lesson of implicit obedience to God's voice.

Child Guidance, p. 24