“With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world! How soon might the end come—the end of suffering and sorrow and sin!” (Education, 271).
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:18-20).
“But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So, affectionately longing for you, were pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us….as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8, 11-12).
“With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world! How soon might the end come—the end of suffering and sorrow and sin!” (Education, 271).
“God’s purpose has been made known, that our people should have an opportunity to study the sciences and at the same time to learn the requirements of His word. Biblical lectures should be given; the study of the Scriptures should have the first place in our system of education” (Testimonies, Volume 5, 21).
“The church is organized for service; and in a life of service to Christ, connection with the church is one of the first steps. Loyalty to Christ demands the faithful performance of church duties. This is an important part of one’s training; and in a church imbued with the Master’s life, it will lead directly to effort for the world without.
There are many lines in which the youth can find opportunity for helpful effort. Let them organize into bands for Christian service, and the co-operation will prove an assistance and an encouragement. Parents and teachers, by taking an interest in the work of the young people, will be able to give them the benefit of their own larger experience, and can help them to make their efforts effective for good” (Education, 268-269).
“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” (Child Guidance, 296).
“In this work, as in every other, skill is gained in the work itself. It is by training in the common duties of life and in ministry to the needy and suffering, that efficiency is assured. Without this the best-meant efforts are often useless and even harmful. It is in the water, not on the land, that men learn to swim” (Education, 268).
“The usefulness learned on the school farm is the very education that is most essential for those who go out as missionaries to many foreign fields. If this training is given with the glory of God in view, great results will be seen. No work will be more effectual than that done by those who, having obtained an education in practical life, go forth to mission fields with the message of truth, prepared to instruct as they have been instructed. The knowledge they have obtained in the tilling of the soil and other lines of manual work, and which they carry with them to their fields of labor, will make them a blessing even in heathen lands” (Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 534).
“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. . . . There is a simplicity and purity in these lessons direct from nature that makes of the highest value to others besides the heathen. The children and youth, all classes of students, need the lessons to be derived from this source. In itself the beauty of nature leads the soul away from sin and worldly attractions, and toward purity, peace, and God” (Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students, 186).
“Whether in foreign missions or in the home field, all missionaries, both men and women, will gain much more ready access to the people, and will find their usefulness greatly increased, if they are able to minister to the sick. Women who go as missionaries to heathen lands may thus find opportunity for giving the gospel to the women of those lands, when every other door of access is closed. All gospel workers should know how to give the simple treatments that do so much to relieve pain and remove disease” (Counsels on Health, 389).
“It is necessary to their complete education that students be given time to do missionary work—time to become acquainted with the spiritual needs of the families in the community around them. They should not be so loaded down with studies that they have no time to use the knowledge they have acquired. They should be encouraged to make earnest missionary effort” (Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 545).
· What training do you need to become a more effective worker for the finishing of the Great Commission to the world?
· Which young people could you help train by mentoring them or financially helping to send them for training?
Because Jesus wants to come soon, let’s seek more training for ourselves, and train others in the things God has taught us!
Rabbi, my Teacher, equip me to finish Your Great Commission. We have tried many methods and programs, but Your ways are always the best. Help me to sit at Your feet and learn by following in Your footsteps. Send the Holy Spirit to educate and empower me. Raise up many more homes, churches, and institutions to train an army of youth and adults to quickly finish Your work.
Study more about God's plan for training His young people for finishing the Great Commission in books like Education,.
Read a summary of Ellen White's Emphasis on True Education.
Explore various training programs for agriculture, evangelism, health, and mission skills.
Explore homeschool options at The Adventist Home Educator and find various homeschool resources.
Find a Seventh-day Adventist elementary or high school in North America.
Discover options for education at a Seventh-day Adventist College or University.
An inclusion of a link here does not mean an endorsement by Home for All Nations. You should carefully examine God's plan for education in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy and compare your options prayerfully and carefully.
