Thursday: Education

The Hebrew word for education comes from a word that means to build up and to begin. All these meanings are contained in the Hebrew idea of education: when we train up a child (Prov. 22:6), we build up, we begin, and we lay the groundwork for the future.

Image © Providence Collection from GoodSalt.com

Parents and educators are therefore responsible for their children’s future and, by implication, the future of the world. What we do with our children today will impact society for generations to come.

Read Proverbs 22:6. What does this say about the importance of educating children correctly?

It is significant that the Hebrew word for educate is the very word used for the dedication of the temple (1 Kings 8:63). Early education means to dedicate our children to God in the same way that the temple is dedicated. It has an impact on our salvation, even beyond our own life. To parents is committed the great work of educating and training their children for the future, immortal life. — Ellen G. White, Child Guidance, p. 38. Such education has an eternal effect. The apostle Paul seems to allude to Proverbs 22:6 when he commends Timothy for his early training in the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation (2 Tim. 3:15, NKJV).

Read Proverbs 22:8, 15. What principles do we find here?

Education can be compared to the activity of sowing. The future of our society and of our children depends on what we have sown. If our seed was iniquity, then our education (the rod) will fail, and we shall reap trouble (Proverbs 22:8). If our seed touched the hearts of the children (Proverbs 22:15), then the rod of our education will drive the children’s foolishness far from them.

We so often teach others (especially children) by our example. Think about your example: What kind of legacy are you leaving? In what areas, if any, might your example be better?

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Training and correction are important and required as children grow up

Training:
We are reminded that what I am today (my fear of the Lord, my success in career, my patience with others, my value of all humanity, not superior/inferior, my compassion and willingness to help the poor/needy etc) reflects to some extent my upbringing or the efforts of my parents.

Granted, that some parents have put in so little but end up with good children and vice versa. God is in control. But there's a call to sincerity for (us) parents, to be true to duty, submitting ourselves to be taught of God in order for us to perform a correct duty in our children.

We must be taught of God; we must understand and know wat this "way" in Prov 22:6 is, if we are to direct accordingly. See below:

Prov 22:6Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION, PAGE 239

"Parental Training.—Children are what their parents make them, by their instruction, discipline, and example. Children should early be taught the sacredness of religious obligations. This is a most important part of their education. Our duty to God should be performed before any other. The strict observance of God’s law, from principle, should be taught and enforced.

Deal honestly and faithfully with your children. Work bravely and patiently. Fear no crosses, spare no time or labor, burden or suffering. The future of your children will testify to the character of your work.

This language is positive. The training which Solomon enjoins is to direct, educate, and develop.

In order for parents and teachers to do this work, they must themselves understand “the way” the child should go. This embraces more than merely having a knowledge of books. It takes in everything that is good, virtuous, righteous, and holy. It comprehends the practice of temperance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love to God and to one another. In order to attain this object, the physical, mental, moral, and religious education of children must have attention.13Testimonies For The Church 3:131, 132."

Correction
I've always taken the route of "reasoning" with our children, thinking it comes out of my "soft" personality which at times I feared would be a sign of failure. I am happy to read from SoP that it is the correct way.

We are also implored to first pray before correcting. This is as in dealing with settling disputes among fellow adults. It simply means there's provision, and importantly so, for cooling down not addressing our children in anger. May God help us! See below:

Prov 22:15Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

TESTIMONIES FOR THE CHURCH, VOL. 1, PAGE 398

"Impatience in the parents excites impatience in the children.

Parents should first learn to control themselves, then they can more successfully control their children.

Every time they lose self-control, and speak and act impatiently, they sin against God. They should first reason with their children, clearly point out their wrongs, show them their sin, and impress upon them that they have not only sinned against their parents, but against God.

With your own heart subdued and full of pity and sorrow for your erring children, pray with them before correcting them. Then your correction will not cause your children to hate you. They will love you. They will see that you do not punish them because they have put you to inconvenience, or because you wish to vent your displeasure upon them; but from a sense of duty, for their good, that they may not be left to grow up in sin."

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Thursday: Education — 9 Comments

Nzooma Shimaponda Mataa on February 18, 2015 at 8:06 pm said:

Training and correction are important and required as children grow up

Training:
We are reminded that what I am today (my fear of the Lord, my success in career, my patience with others, my value of all humanity, not superior/inferior, my compassion and willingness to help the poor/needy etc) reflects to some extent my upbringing or the efforts of my parents.

Granted, that some parents have put in so little but end up with good children and vice versa. God is in control. But there's a call to sincerity for (us) parents, to be true to duty, submitting ourselves to be taught of God in order for us to perform a correct duty in our children.

We must be taught of God; we must understand and know wat this "way" in Prov 22:6 is, if we are to direct accordingly. See below:

Prov 22:6Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION, PAGE 239

"Parental Training.—Children are what their parents make them, by their instruction, discipline, and example. Children should early be taught the sacredness of religious obligations. This is a most important part of their education. Our duty to God should be performed before any other. The strict observance of God’s law, from principle, should be taught and enforced.

Deal honestly and faithfully with your children. Work bravely and patiently. Fear no crosses, spare no time or labor, burden or suffering. The future of your children will testify to the character of your work.

This language is positive. The training which Solomon enjoins is to direct, educate, and develop.

In order for parents and teachers to do this work, they must themselves understand “the way” the child should go. This embraces more than merely having a knowledge of books. It takes in everything that is good, virtuous, righteous, and holy. It comprehends the practice of temperance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love to God and to one another. In order to attain this object, the physical, mental, moral, and religious education of children must have attention.13Testimonies For The Church 3:131, 132."

Correction
I've always taken the route of "reasoning" with our children, thinking it comes out of my "soft" personality which at times I feared would be a sign of failure. I am happy to read from SoP that it is the correct way.

We are also implored to first pray before correcting. This is as in dealing with settling disputes among fellow adults. It simply means there's provision, and importantly so, for cooling down not addressing our children in anger. May God help us! See below:

Prov 22:15Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

TESTIMONIES FOR THE CHURCH, VOL. 1, PAGE 398

"Impatience in the parents excites impatience in the children.

Parents should first learn to control themselves, then they can more successfully control their children.

Every time they lose self-control, and speak and act impatiently, they sin against God. They should first reason with their children, clearly point out their wrongs, show them their sin, and impress upon them that they have not only sinned against their parents, but against God.

With your own heart subdued and full of pity and sorrow for your erring children, pray with them before correcting them. Then your correction will not cause your children to hate you. They will love you. They will see that you do not punish them because they have put you to inconvenience, or because you wish to vent your displeasure upon them; but from a sense of duty, for their good, that they may not be left to grow up in sin."

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Stephen Joseph on February 18, 2015 at 9:22 pm said:

How many times parents can get frustrated with their children not listening to their instructions or guidance. But awareness of ones own behaviour sometimes reveals how we can frustrate God when we as parents do not admonish the instruction in scripture. A great responsibility lies upon the shoulders of parents, may we fulfil our responsibilities to prepare a Godly generation for the future.

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Fofi [Last name?] on February 18, 2015 at 11:30 pm said:

Amen! Today's lesson was a blessing. I'm 23 looking forward to be a mom. I sometimes wonder and worry about the future of of my child if i am to have any. I have found such joy and comfort knowing that i can dedicate my child to God and that it is alright and up to me to bring up a child in an environment that's Godly.

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kipe Hasimuna on February 19, 2015 at 5:00 am said:

Brothers ad Sisters in as much as we need true education in this post mordern world its important to involve God first in helpng them understand who God is ad they shall foever in Gods hands ad church.Let the parents or guardians first know God ad hence shall on the other take lead in educating the young ones

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Regina Forman on February 19, 2015 at 2:21 pm said:

It is so important to know God for yourself (parents/children) If for some reason the parents has elected not to know God, they should at least allow their children the opportunity to know Him for themselves. Parents can be so selfish at times when it comes to making decisions for the family. Serving God should never be an option. The world does not ask if they can teach your children different things, so we should not hesitate to equip our children with the tools he/she need to make smart decisions. God loves the little children, all the children of the whole world. We should too.

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Ampomah Hayford on February 20, 2015 at 12:10 am said:

"A Woe rest upon parents who have not train their children to be God fearing,but have allowed them to grow to manhood and womanhood undiscipline and and uncontrolled"..Child Guidance pg 275.O

Lord of mercy forgive us and pardon us for we have failed in the upbringing of our children.Let the congregation say Amen.

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Paul Blanke on February 20, 2015 at 6:23 pm said:

I believe that we as parents need to be correct examples of what we teach. There was a saying that was used often when I was growing up many years ago, that didn't express this need. It was " Don't do as I do, do as I say". Rearing children today, is even more of a challenge. There are many more distractions to deal with, and ungodly life styles, that are acceptable to much of our society today, that making God first in our lives takes a concerted effort.

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bonface kenani on February 20, 2015 at 10:12 pm said:

indeed what we portray to others as christians has a great impact in their character.,therefore we should strife to exhibit a `noble` character

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Emmanuel Mumba on February 21, 2015 at 2:02 am said:

I love these lessons

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Thursday: Education — 9 Comments

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