What Comprises True Education?
225
It Is Not the Natural Choice of Youth—The kind of education
that fits the youth for practical life, they naturally do not choose.
They urge their desires, their likes and dislikes, their preferences and
inclinations; but if parents have correct views of God, of the truth, and
of the influences and associations that should surround their children,
they will feel that upon them rests the God-given responsibility of
carefully guiding the inexperienced youth
It Is Not a Method of Escape From Life’s Burdens—Let the
youth be impressed with the thought that education is not to teach
them how to escape life’s disagreeable tasks and heavy burdens; that its
purpose is to lighten the work by teaching better methods and higher
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aims. Teach them that life’s true aim is not to secure the greatest
possible gain for themselves, but to honor their Maker in doing their
part of the world’s work, and lending a helpful hand to those weaker
or more ignorant
Education Should Awaken the Spirit of Service—Above any
other agency, service for Christ’s sake in the little things of everyday
experience has power to mold the character and to direct the life into
lines of unselfish ministry. To awaken this spirit, to encourage and
rightly to direct it, is the parents’ and the teacher’s work. No more
important work could be committed to them. The spirit of ministry is
the spirit of heaven, and with every effort to develop and encourage it
angels will co-operate.
Such an education must be based upon the Word of God. Here only
are its principles given in their fullness. The Bible should be made
the foundation of study and of teaching. The essential knowledge is a
knowledge of God and of Him whom He has sent
It Places Moral Training Above Intellectual Culture—
Children are in great need of proper education in order that they may
be of use in the world. But any effort that exalts intellectual culture
above moral training is misdirected. Instructing, cultivating, polishing,
and refining the youth and children should be the main burden of both
parents and teachers
8
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 132
.
9
Education, 221, 222
.
10
The Ministry of Healing, 401
.
11
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 84, 85
.