Preparing for Church Membership
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their minds absorbed in overcareful provision for this life; but do not
let them cherish the thought that they have no need to toil and may
spend their leisure moments in idleness. God’s Word is plain on this
point
Teach the Knowledge of God—To know God is eternal life. Are
you teaching this to your children, or are you teaching them to meet
the world’s standard? Are you getting ready for the home that God is
preparing for you? ... Teach your children of the Saviour’s life, death,
and resurrection. Teach them to study the Bible.... Teach them to form
characters that will live through the eternal ages. We must pray as we
never have before that God will keep and bless our children
Teach Daily Repentance and Forgiveness—It is not essential
that all shall be able to specify to a certainty when their sins were
forgiven. The lesson to be taught the children is that their errors and
mistakes are to be brought to Jesus in their very childhood of life.
Teach them to ask His forgiveness daily for any wrong that they have
done, and that Jesus does hear the simple prayer of the penitent heart,
and will pardon, and receive them, just as He received the children
[495]
brought to Him when He was upon earth
Teach Sound Doctrine—Those who have seen the truth and felt
its importance, and have had an experience in the things of God, are
to teach sound doctrine to their children. They should make them
acquainted with the great pillars of our faith, the reasons why we are
Seventh-day Adventists—why we are called, as were the children of
Israel, to be a peculiar people, a holy nation, separate and distinct
from all other people on the face of the earth. These things should be
explained to the children in simple language, easy to be understood;
and as they grow in years, the lessons imparted should be suited to
their increasing capacity, until the foundations of truth have been laid
broad and deep
Instruct Briefly and Frequently—Those who give instruction to
children and youth should avoid tedious remarks. Short talks, right
to the point, will have a happy influence. If there is much to be said,
make up for brevity by frequency. A few interesting remarks, every
3
Testimonies For The Church 5:42
.
4
Manuscript 16, 1895
.
5
Manuscript 5, 1896
.
6
Testimonies For The Church 5:330
.