Education
How were the young people in Israel educated in Old Testament times? What important principles can we take from these texts regarding the spiritual aspect of all proper education? Gen. 18:19; Deut. 6:4–7, 20–25.
Through the father’s instructions Hebrew children were taught what God had done for His people in the past, how they were to live in His presence, and what God’s promises were for the future. They also were taught the skills they would need to be successful members of their community. It was, therefore, both an education in practical skills along with spiritual and religious instruction.
In the earliest days of the Adventist movement, private initiatives among our pioneers led to several attempts to establish a school for Adventist children, but none of them lasted long.
Then at the beginning of 1872 Ellen White received a vision on the proper principles of education. On the basis of this vision she wrote 30 pages on those principles. Among other things she wrote: “We need a school where those who are just entering the ministry may be taught at least the common branches of education, and where they may also learn more perfectly the truths of God's word for this time.”—Fundamentals of Christian Education, pp. 45, 46.
In May 1872 the General Conference Committee agreed to assume responsibility for a locally operated church school in Battle Creek, Michigan, and on June 3 the first official Seventh-day Adventist school opened its doors (there were twelve students). Two years later 100 students were enrolled in the newly established Battle Creek College.
Today more than six-thousand Adventist schools, colleges, and universities serve more than one million students around the world.
| What should an Adventist school today be like? How should it be different from other schools? Make a list of specific characteristics and discuss them in class. |
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