Are you all preparing to become members of the heavenly family? Are you seeking in the home life to be fitted to become members of the Lord’s family? If so, make the home life happy by mutual self-sacrifice. If we want Jesus in our home, let kind words only be spoken there. The angels of God will not abide in a home where there is strife and contention. Let love be cherished, and peace and Christian politeness, and angels will be your guests.
The Youth’s Instructor, April 14, 1886.
“For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Exodus 20:11
Photo Credit: Stehekin ©2015 Nathan Clark. Used by permission.
Obedience, Discipline
“The Character Qualities
Read:
Matthew 19:16-22
Mark 10:17-22
Luke 18:18-23
The Desire of Ages p 518-523
Our lesson begins with the story of the rich young ruler who came to Christ and posed the question: “…What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Mark 10:17
“Fathers and mothers need to understand their responsibility. The world is full of snares for the feet of the young. Multitudes are attracted by a life of selfish and sensual pleasure. They cannot discern the hidden dangers or the fearful ending of the path that seems to them the way of happiness. Through the indulgence of appetite and passion, their energies are wasted, and millions are ruined for this world and the word to come. Parents should remember that their children must encounter these temptations. Even before the birth of the child, the preparation should begin that will enable it to fight successfully the battle against evil.”
“More than human wisdom is needed by parents at every step, that they may understand how best to educate their children for a useful, happy life here, and for a higher service and greater joy hereafter.” (CG 21)
“The Watchword for Obedience is Consistency”
“Under the general heading of selfishness comes every other sin. How important for the parent to practice an unselfish spirit with their children and teach them to do likewise. Developing this unselfish spirit only comes with much prayer, study, and the practice of saying ‘no’ to self!”
“Many children have inherited selfishness from their parents, but parents should seek to uproot every fiber of this evil tendency from their natures.
Parents should seek, on the first exhibition of selfish traits of character, whether in their presence or when in association with other children, to restrain and uproot these traits from the character of their children.
One of the characteristics that should be especially cherished and cultivated in every child is that self-forgetfulness which imparts to the life such an unconscious grace. Of all excellences of character this is one of the most beautiful, and for every true lifework it is one of the qualifications most essential
“Study how to teach the children to be thoughtful of others. The youth should be early accustomed to submission, self-denial, and regard for other’s happiness. They should be taught to subdue the hasty temper, to withhold the passionate word, to manifest unvarying kindness, courtesy, and self-control” (CG 133)
When Christ answered the young ruler’s questions about which commandments he should keep, He quoted the ones that deal with how we should treat our fellow man.
“Teaching our children to have that unselfish trait of giving, giving time, service and means to others, is most important in their character development. If you as a parent have not acquired this quality-learn together with your children. True happiness comes in serving others and enjoying happiness.
“Selfishness was the sin of the rich young ruler. Unselfishness would be its cure. Love was the tool Jesus used with him. In teaching our children unselfishness, love must be the motivating factor that moves them to overcome.
Selfishness includes covetousness, ambition, jealousy and intemperance while selflessness includes self-denial, modesty, generosity, and temperance
Obedience and Love
Children Respond to Love. The rich young ruler responded to Jesus’ love.
“Do not, I beg of you, correct your children in anger. That is the time of all times when you should act with humility and patience and prayer. Then is the time to kneel down with the children and ask the Lord for pardon. Seek to win them to Christ by the manifestation of kindness and love and you will see that a higher power than that of earth is co-operating with your efforts” (CG 245-246
“Never raise your hand to give them a blow unless you can with a clear conscience bow before God and ask His blessing upon the correction you are about to give. Encourage love in the hearts of your children. Present before them high and correct motives for self-restraint. Do not give them the impression that they must submit to control because it is your arbitrary will, because they are weak and you are strong, because you are the father, they are the children. If you wish to ruin your family, continue to govern by brute force, and you will surely succeed.” (CG 252
Deal with Your Children in Love
“The mother mus keep her mind refreshed and stored with the promises and blessings of God’s Word, and also the forbidden things, that when her children do wrong she may present as a reproof the words of God, and show them how they are grieving the Spirit of God. Teach them that the approbation and smiles of Jesus are of greater value than the praise or flattery or approval of the most wealthy, the most exalted, the most learned of the earth. Lead them to Jesus Christ day by day, lovingly, tenderly, earnestly. You must not allow anything to come between you and this great work.” (RH 4-14-1885)
The work of education in the home, if it is to accomplish all that god designs it shall, demands that parents be diligent student of the Scriptures. They must be learner of the great Teacher. Day by day the law of love and kindness must be upon their lips. Their lives must reveal the grace and truth that was seen in the life of their Example. Then a sanctified love will bind the hearts of the parents and children together, and the youth will grow up established in the faith and rooted and grounded in the love of God.”
“The mother must realize that God is her helper, that love is her success, her power. If she is a wise Christian, she will not attempt to force the child into submission. She will pray; and as she prays, she will be conscious of a renewal of spiritual life within herself. And she will see that at the same time the power that is working in her is working also in the child. And the child, in the place of being compelled, is led and grows gentler; and the battle is gained. Each kindly thought, each patient action, each word of wise restraint, is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. The mother has gained a victory more precious than language can express. She has renewed light and increased experience. The ‘true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world,’ has subdued her will. There is a peace after the storm, like the shining of the sun after rain” (CG 212)
“Parents much learn the lesson of implicit obedience to God’s voice, which speaks to them out of His Word; and as they learn this lesson, they can teach their children respect and obedience in word and action. This is the work that should be carried on in the home. Those who do it will reach upward themselves, realizing that they must elevate their children. This education means much more than mere instruction” (CG 24)
“Daily the children of Israel had to gather the manna (Exodus 16) early in the morning before the sun came up! So responsible parents must gather their strength early in the day to meet the enemy as he especially attacks the weaker members of the family, our lambs. Set aside time in the early morning to daily seek God. One to three hours is a worthy goal. (TP 24)
“Here is the only safeguard for individual integrity, for the purity of the home, the well-being of society, or the stability of the nation. Amidst all life’s perplexities and dangers and conflicting claims the one safe and sure rule is to do what God says. ‘The statutes of the Lord are right,’ and “he that does these things shall never be moved’ (Psalms 19;8; 15:5) (Education 225-229)
“As the rich young ruler needed his character changed, so do we. May it not be said of us our our children in the end, ‘one thing thou lackest.’ Character building can only be accomplished by preserving effort on our part together with God’s power-His part. Are you willing?”
“Every child born into the home is a sacred trust. God says to the parents, “Take this child, and bring it up for Me, that it may be an honor to My name, and a channel through which My blessings shall flow to the world.”
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 145
Teach Truth
(Dress, Music)
As we continue in lesson 7, our next topic is that of dress. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
There are 2 paths mentioned, the narrow way and the broad way. The lesson refers to them as the disciplined way and the undisciplined way respectively. We must choose between the narrow way (self denial) and the broad way (self-indulgence).
The parties that travel the different roads are opposite in character, in life, in dress, and in conversation.
“Those who travel in the narrow way are talking of the joy and happiness they will have at the end of the journey. Their countenances are often sad, yet often beam with holy sacred joy. They do not dress like the company in the broad road, nor talk like them, nor act like them. A pattern has been given them.”
Those on the broad way are occupied with (1) their persons, (2) their dress, (3) and the pleasures in the way. “They indulge freely in hilarity and glee, and think not of their journey’s end, of the certain destruction at the end of the path. Every day they approach nearer their destruction: yet they madly rush on faster and faster. Oh, how dreadful this looked to me!”
“I saw that the words, dress, and actions should tell for God.” “I saw that the outside appearance is an index to the heart. When the exterior is hung with…needless things, it plainly shows that the love for all this is in the heart…”
“I was shown the conformity of some professed Sabbathkeepers to the world. Oh, I saw that it is a disgrace to their profession, a disgrace to the cause of God. They give the lie to their profession. They think they are not like the world, but they are so near like them in dress, in conversation and actions, that there is not distinction.”
“Parents should be exemplary. They should exert a holy influence in their families. They should let their dress be modest, different from the world around them. As they value the eternal interest of their children, they should rebuke pride in them, faithfully rebuke it, and encourage it not in word or deed.”
Music
The Purpose of Music
“Music was given to man by God as a language of the soul. It is through music that the soul can find utterance in a way that words alone are too feeble to express. When the soul is engaged in song, God understands, and communion is established with Him. Music is how all can participate in the language of heaven, that sweet communion with God, in unison together.” (Ten Principles)
“As a part of religious service, singing is as much an act of worship as is prayer. If the child is taught to realize this, he will think more of the meaning of the words he sings and will be more susceptible to their power.” (Education 168)
Christ used song as an aid to temptation-“When Christ was a child like these children here, He was tempted to sin, but He did not yield to temptation. As He grew older He was tempted, but the songs His mother had taught Him to sing came into His mind, and He would life His voice in praise. And before His companions were aware of it, they would be singing with Him. God wants us to use every facility which Heaven has provided for resisting the enemy.” (Evangelism 498)
“Music prepares the listeners for the word of God and deepens the impression made by the word.
Satan Has a counterfeit-“Satan can pervert music so that it accomplishes the opposite of what God intended, which is communion with Satan, leading to the destruction of the soul.”
There is a wonderful chart on page 6 of the lesson that compares God’s Music to Satan’s Music.
Why Should We Study Music?
“The subject of music is mentioned more than 800 times in the Bible. Music affects us mentally, physically and spiritually and has this power without us doing anything. “Music enters the body through the ears and the sense of touch and goes directly to the hypothalamus. This route complete bypasses the higher brain’s reasoning center. Music is not just heard, but the whole body absorbs it.” “We have a responsibility to know and understand what harmonious singing and music are so we can participate in them and glorify God.”
The Character of Music
Music is made up of three main elements: the melody, the harmony and the rhythm. “The character of a musical piece is the result of all the elements combined to make a whole, to make it balanced. If some elements, even one, are not in accordance with godly principles, then the whole character of the musical piece is faulty. A little leaven leaveneth the whole…(Galatians 5:9)
“Melody is a musical thought made by a series of tones. It identifies the song or makes it recognizable. It is like a profile.”
“Harmony occurs when two or more compatible tones are sounded at the same time. Harmony adds depth, perspective mood, atmosphere and color to a melody.”
“Rhythm is the orderly movement of music through time. It is because of rhythm that we can discern a song at all, for without rhythm the music is dead.” “Rhythm should never be dominant in a musical piece but should be balanced with the melody and harmony; just as our physical natures should be balanced with our spiritual and mental natures.”
When listening to the words of music we should watch out for:
Each of these is discussed in more detail in the lesson.
Principles for Evaluating Text:
“Music is the language of the soul. It can either be a language that God and the soul can understand or communicate with together, or a language that Satan and the soul can understand and communicate with together. Whatever the language is, remember that music is eternally important to help form our character for good or for evil.”
Principles of Good Music
(Quick Reference to Good Music)
Lesson 7-Teach Truth
Toys, Books, Drama
The seventh lesson is divided up into several parts. In this post we will look at 3 of those sections.
Toys and Children’s Play
How our children play is an index to what is going on in their minds.
“Our words index the state of our heart and whether men talk much or little, their words express the character of their thoughts. A man’s character may be quite accurately estimated by the nature of his conversation. Sound, truthful words have the right ring in them. (Sons and Daughters of God 180)
There are different kinds of Fantasies
Side Note: I personally have seen little boys who believe they are Bat Man. Perhaps you have seen them too. They dress up as the character and wear the costume to just about anywhere that their parent’s will let them and a few of them I have seen will not even respond to their mother if she calls them by any other name.
There are four areas of dangerous toys (Toys that are dangerous to the spiritual life).
If our children have toys that fall under these categories, we need to get rid of them and replace them with useful items and items that are non-offensive such as bed spreads that do not have fictitious characters on them. When family members ask for ideas of what to get your children for birthdays and holidays, present a list of useful items such as tools and books.
Books
“The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd” (Ecclesiastes 12:11)
“The Bible contains all that is needful for the saving of the soul, and at the same time it is adapted to strengthen and discipline the mind. Used as a textbook in our schools, it will be found far more effective than any other book in guiding wisely in the affairs of this life, as well as in aiding the soul to climb the ladder that reaches to heaven. The Bible gives the true seeker an advanced mental drill; he comes from the contemplation of divine things with his faculties enriched. Self is humbled, while God and His truth are exalted. It is because men are unacquainted with the truths of the bible that there is so much lifting up of man and so little honor given to God.” (Counsels to Teachers 448)
Our children should not read fiction. Fiction:
Imparts no real knowledge
Inspires no great good and purpose
Kindles in the heart no earnest desire for purity
Excites no soul hunger for righteousness
“Even fiction which contains no suggestion of impurity, and which may be intended to teach excellent principles, is harmful. It encourages the habit of hasty and superficial reading merely for the story. Thus it tends to destroy the power of connected and vigorous thought; it unfits the soul to contemplate the great problems of duty and destiny.” (The Ministry of Healing 445-446)
Note: John Bunyan’s work the Pilgrim’s Progress is not included in this category. See references to Bunyan in 9 Testimonies 217 “Allegory;” Christ Object Lessons 236 “Redeemed from Sinful Life” for more details.
We should stay away from those things that are Impractical, Intemperate, Secular, Uninspired, Confusing, and Hasty. When these warning are not heeded, the results seen are often: loss of healthful tone of the brain, diseased imagination, the nerves being taxed unnecessarily, the mind being dwarfed, and many other things.
“Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there by any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
Drama
“Many of the amusements popular in the world today, even with those who claim to be Christians, then to the same end as did those of the heathen. There are indeed few among them that Satan does not turn to account in destroying souls. Through the drama he has worked for ages to excite passion and glorify vice. The opera, with its fascinating display and bewildering music, the masquerade, the dance, the card table, Satan employs to break down the barriers of principle and open the door to sensual indulgence. In every gathering for pleasure where pride is fostered or appetite indulged, where one is led to forget God and lose sight of eternal interests, there Satan is binding his chains about the soul” (Patriarchs and Prophets 459-460)
There are four basic steps that Satan uses to educate the mind to sin:
“Among the most dangerous resorts for pleasure is the theater…” (Counsels to Teachers 334)
“Acting is pretending as is a counterfeit of witnessing.”
Hypocrite-one who acts or performs on the stage acting under a feigned part.
“Worldly or theatrical entertainments are not essential for the prosperity of the sanitarium or for the health of the patients. The more they have of this kind of amusements, the less will they be pleased unless something of the kind shall be continually carried on. The mind is in a fever of unrest for something new and exciting, the very thing it ought not to have. And if these amusements are once allowed, they are expected again, and the patients lose their relish for any simple arrangement to occupy the time. But repose, rather than excitement, is what many of the patients need.
As soon as these entertainments are introduced, the objections to the theater going are removed from many minds, and the plea that moral and high toned scenes are to be acted as the theater breaks down the last barrier. (4 Testimonies 578)
For those that have been involved in drama, there are four ways that God can heal:
May Psalm 119:30 be our prayer: “I have chosen the way of truth thy judgments have I laid before me.
The Adventist Home Educator 