“To restore in man the image of his Maker, to bring him back to the perfection in which he was created, to promote the development of body, mind, and soul, that the divine purpose in his creation might be realized—this was to be the work of redemption. This is the object of education, the great object of life.”
Education (Ed 15.2)
Restore
…to the image of our Maker
…our mental health
…our physical health
…our focus on what is important
…our mindset to remove cognitive bias
Develop
…our characters
…mind, body & soul
…practical skills
…ability to reach others
Realize
…our identity
…our purpose
…our mission
Restore
“The true object of education is to restore the image of God in the soul.”
Christian Education (CE 63.3)
“To restore in man the image of his Maker, to bring him back to the perfection in which he was created...”
Education (Ed 15.2)
In the beginning we find that...
“God created man in His own image.”
Genesis 1:27
“He endowed him with noble qualities. His mind was well-balanced, and all the powers of his being were harmonious. But the fall and its effects have perverted these gifts. Sin has marred and well-nigh obliterated the image of God in man.” (CE 63.3)
“the moral image of God was almost obliterated by the sin...”
The Review and Herald (RH June 10, 1890, par. 6)
“It was to restore this that the plan of salvation was devised, and a life of probation was granted to man. To bring him back to the perfection in which he was first created, is the great object of life,—the object that underlies every other.” (CE 63.3)
“In the highest sense the work of education and the work of redemption are one,..”
Education (Ed 30.2)
True Education = Redemption
“God works all unseen upon the human heart; for without the divine power operating upon the understanding, the mind of man cannot grasp the sentiments of elevating, ennobling truth. It cannot read the book of nature, nor can it understand the simplicity of godliness found therein. When the human mind is freed from perverting influences, it can receive the lessons of Christ. But no man can understand the true science of education, only as God in His wisdom shall through the Holy Spirit sanctify his observation.”
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students (CT 376.1)
“When the light of truth for these last days come to the world in the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages, we were shown that a different order of things must be brought in. But it has taken much time to become aware of the changes that should be made in the lines of study in our schools.”
13LtMs, Ms 56, 1898, par. 3
“All wondered at His knowledge of the law and the prophecies; and the question passed from one to another, “How knoweth this Man letters, having never learned?” No one was regarded as qualified to be a religious teacher unless he had studied in the rabbinical schools, and both Jesus and John the Baptist had been represented as ignorant because they had not received this training. Those who heard them were astonished at their knowledge of the Scriptures, “having never learned.” Of men they had not, truly; but the God of heaven was their teacher, and from Him they had received the highest kind of wisdom.”
The Desire of Ages (DA 453.1)
Do you want to be ignorant by the world's standards?
How does "True Education" differ from "Worldly Education"?Develop
“...to promote the development of body, mind, and soul...”
Education (Ed 15.2)
“Every man, woman, and child should be educated to practical, useful work. All should learn some trade. It may be tent-making, it may be some other business, but all should be trained to use their powers to some purpose. And God is ready to increase the capabilities of all who will educate themselves to industrious habits. We are to be “not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.” God will bless all who will guard their influence in this respect.”
The Review and Herald (RH March 13, 1900, par. 8)
“Since the mind and the soul find expression through the body, both mental and spiritual vigor are in great degree dependent upon physical strength and activity; whatever promotes physical health, promotes the development of a strong mind and a well-balanced character. Without health, no one can as distinctly understand or as completely fulfill his obligations to himself, to his fellow beings, or to his Creator. Therefore the health should be as faithfully guarded as the character. A knowledge of physiology and hygiene should be the basis of all educational effort.”
Child Guidance (CG 360.4)
“The education centering in the family was that which prevailed in the days of the patriarchs. For the schools thus established, God provided the conditions most favorable for the development of character. The people who were under His direction still pursued the plan of life that He had appointed in the beginning.”
Adventist Home (AH 181.30)
“Let the mind be trained and disciplined to wrestle with hard problems in the search for divine truth.”
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students (CT 334.2)
“Religion ennobles the soul, purifies the taste and sanctifies the judgment. It makes the soul a partaker of heavenly purity.”
Patriarchs & Prophets (PP 600.2)
“...there is a higher training to be obtained through a vital connection with God. Let every student take his Bible and place himself in communion with the great Teacher.”
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students (CT 334.2)
Realize
“...the divine purpose in his creation might be realized—this was to be the work of redemption. This is the object of education, the great object of life.”
Education (Ed 15.2)
“It is the work of parents and teachers, in the education of the youth, to co-operate with the divine purpose; and in so doing they are “laborers together with God.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.]”
Christian Education (CE 63.3)
“God's purpose in giving the third angel's message to the world is to prepare a people to stand true to Him during the investigative judgment. This is the purpose for which we establish and maintain our publishing houses, our schools, our sanitariums, hygienic restaurants, treatment rooms, and food factories. This is our purpose in carrying forward every line of work in the cause.”
Manuscript Releases (1MR 228.2)
What is our Identity?
Called to be Ambassadors
“A character formed according to the divine likeness is the only treasure that we can take from this world to the next. Those who are under the instruction of Christ in this world will take every divine attainment with them to the heavenly mansions. And in heaven we are continually to improve. How important, then, is the development of character in this life.”
Child Guidance (CG 161.1)
“Character building is the most important work ever entrusted to human beings; and never before was its diligent study so important as now. Never was any previous generation called to meet issues so momentous; never before were young men and young women confronted by perils so great as confront them today.”
Education (Ed 225.3)
“The object of these studies is to give a better understanding of the reason for the decline and moral fall of the Protestant denominations at the time of the midnight cry in 1844, and to help us as Seventh-day Adventists to avoid their mistakes as we approach the loud cry, soon due to the world.”
Studies in Christian Education - E.A Sutherland
“The world was approaching the great day of atonement in the heavenly sanctuary, the year 1844. Prior to this date, history records a most remarkable Christian educational movement and religious awakening. The popular churches were rapidly approaching their crucial test. And God knew it was impossible for them to acceptably carry the closing message unless they should “come into the line of true education”—unless they had a clear understanding of “the true science of education.”
Studies in Christian Education - E.A Sutherland