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Studies for the Church School

The Bible

“Used as a text-book in our schools, the Bible will do for mind and morals what can not be done by books of science or philosophy. As a book to discipline and strengthen the intellect and ennoble, purify, and refine the character, it is without a rival.”—Special Testimonies on Education, 53. PH140 25.2

“If there were not another book in the wide world, the Word of God, lived out, through the grace of Christ, would make man perfect in this world, with a character fitted for the future immortal life.”—Special Testimonies on Education, 149. PH140 25.3

“The Bible should not be brought into our schools to be sandwiched in between infidelity. The Bible must be made the ground-work and subject-matter of education. It is true that we know much more of the Word of the living God than we knew in the past, but there is still much more to be learned. It should be used as the Word of the living God, and esteemed as first, and last, and best in everything. Then will be seen true spiritual growth.”—P. C., “The Bible in our Schools.” PH140 25.4

“The Word of God is to stand as the highest educating book in our world, and is to be treated with reverential awe. It is our guide book; we shall receive from it the truth. We need to present the Bible as the great lesson book, to place it in the hands of our children and youth, that they may know Christ, whom to know aright is life eternal. It is the book to be studied by those of middle age and those who are aged.”—Special Testimonies on Education, 233. PH140 26.1

“If used as a text-book in our school, it will be found far more effective than any other book in the world.”—Christian Education, 108. PH140 26.2

“The Word of God is the most perfect educational book in our world.”—Special Testimonies on Education, 19. PH140 26.3

“In searching its pages, we move through scenes majestic and eternal.”—Christian Education, 108. PH140 26.4

“In the Bible every vital principle is declared, every duty made plain, every obligation made evident.”—Christian Education, 84. PH140 26.5

“The Bible is a directory by which you may know the way to eternal life.”—Special Testimonies on Education, 194. PH140 26.6

“It unfolds a simple and complete system of theology and philosophy.”— Christian Education, 106. PH140 26.7

“What other book presents to students more ennobling science, more wonderful history?”—Special Testimonies on Education, 18. PH140 26.8

“The searching of all books of philosophy and science can not do for the mind and morals what the Bible can do if studied and practiced.—Christian Education, 107. PH140 26.9

“Of all the books that have flooded the world, be they ever so valuable, the Bible is the book of books, and is most deserving of the closest study and attention.”—Christian Education, 105. PH140 27.1

“Do not think the Bible will become a tiresome book to the children. Under a wise instructor, the work will become more and more desirable. It will be to them as the bread of life, and will never grow old. There is in it a freshness and beauty that attract and charm the children and youth.... God's holy educating Spirit is in his Word.... The promises spoken by the Great Teacher will captivate the senses and animate the soul of the child with a spiritual power that is divine. There will grow in the faithful a familiarity with divine things which will be as a barricade against the temptations of the enemy.”—P.C. December 15, 1897. PH140 27.2

Nature study

“While the Bible should hold the first place in the education of children and youth, the book of nature is next in importance.”—Special Testimonies on Education, 59. PH140 27.3

“The most effective way to teach the heathen who know not God, is through his works. In this way, far more readily than by any other method, they can be made to realize the difference between their idols, the works of their own hands, and the true God, the Maker of heaven and earth.”—Special Testimonies on Education, 59. PH140 27.4

“A return to simpler methods will be appreciated by the children and youth. Work in the garden and field will be an agreeable change from the wearisome routine of abstract lessons, to which their young minds should never be confined..... God has, in the natural world, placed in the hands of the children of men the key to unlock the treasure house of his Word. The unseen is illustrated by the seen; divine wisdom, eternal truth, infinite grace, are understood by the things that God has made. Then let the children and youth become acquainted with nature and nature's laws.—Special Testimonies on Education, 61. PH140 27.5

Physiology and healthful living

“The youth should be taught to look upon physiology as one of the essential studies, and they should not be satisfied with the mere theory; they should practice the knowledge obtained from books on this subject. This matter has not yet been patiently and perseveringly worked out. Those who neglect this branch of study, which comprehends so much, will make hazardous work in attempting to teach the youth. They are not qualified to direct in our schools, because the way of the Lord must be learned in order to be practiced.”—P. C., “Our School Work.” PH140 28.1

“A practical knowledge of the science of human life is necessary in order to glorify God in our bodies. It is therefore of the highest importance that among studies selected for childhood, physiology should occupy the first place. PH140 28.2

“It is well that physiology is introduced into the common schools as a branch of education. All children should study it. It should be regarded as the basis of all educational effort. And then parents should see to it that practical hygiene be added. This will make their knowledge of physiology of practical benefit.”—Healthful Living, 13. PH140 28.3

Common branches

“If teachers were receiving light and wisdom from the divine Teacher, the common, essential branches of education would be more thoroughly taught, and the Word of God would be honored and esteemed as the Bread sent down from heaven, which sustains all spiritual life, binding the human agent with Christ in God.”—Special Testimonies on Education, 164, 165. PH140 29.1

“The common branches of education should be fully and prayerfully taught.”—P.C. December 20, 1897. PH140 29.2

“Children should be educated to read, write, to understand figures, to keep their own accounts, when very young. They may go forward, advancing step by step in this knowledge.”—P.C. December 15, 1897. PH140 29.3

“The education given in our schools is one-sided. Students should be given an education that will fit them for successful business life. The common branches of education should be fully and thoroughly taught. Bookkeeping should be looked upon as of equal importance with grammar. This line of study is one of the most important for use in practical life; but few leave our schools with a knowledge of how to keep books correctly.—P.C. December 20, 1897. PH140 29.4

Singing

“I heard the songs of children and of parents: ‘Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain,’ ‘Praise ye the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul. While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have my being. Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.’ ‘Praise ye the Lord from heavens; praise him in the heights. Praise ye him, all his angels, praise ye him, all his hosts; praise ye him, sun and moon; praise him, all ye stars of light.’” .. PH140 29.5

Manual training

“When the child is old enough to be sent to school, the teacher should co-operate with the parents, and manual training should be continued as a part of his school duties. There are many students who object to this kind of work in the school. They think useful employment, like learning a trade, degrading; but such persons have an incorrect idea of what constitutes true dignity. Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who is One with the Father, the Commander in the heavenly courts, was the personal instructor and guide of the children of Israel; and among them it was required that every youth should learn how to work. All were to be educated in some business line, that they might possess a knowledge of practical life, and be not only self-sustaining, but useful. This was the instruction which God gave to his people.” PH140 30.1

Example set by Christ

“In his earth life Christ was an example to all the human family, and he was obedient and helpful in the home. He learned the carpenter's trade, and worked with his own hands in the little shop at Nazareth..... He was not willing to be defective even in the handling of tools. He was perfect as a workman as he was in character.”—Special Testimonies on Education, 37-39. PH140 31.1

Various lines of manual training

“Education, in felling trees, tilling the soil, erecting buildings, as well as in literature, is the education our youth should each seek to obtain. Further on, a printing-press should be connected with our school, in order to educate in this line. Tent-making also should be learned. There are also many things which the lady students may be engaged in. There is cooking, dressmaking, and gardening to be done. Strawberries should be planted, plants and flowers cultivated. This the lady students may be called out of doors to do. Thus they may be educated to useful labor. Bookbinding also, and a variety of trades, should be taken up. These will not only be putting into exercise brain, bone, and muscle, but will also be gaining knowledge.”—P. C. PH140 31.2

“Students are here for special training, to become acquainted with all lines of work, that should they go out as missionaries they could in one sense be morally independent, and be able to furnish themselves with conveniences, because they have educated ability. Whether men or women they should learn to mend, wash, and keep their own clothes in order. They should be able to cook their own meals.”—“Practical Missionary Work a branch of Education”, July 21, 1898. PH140 31.3