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The Importance of the Early Years
“Too much importance cannot be placed upon the early
training of children. The lessons learned, the habits
formed, during the years of infancy and childhood,
have more to do with the formation of the character
and the direction of the life than have all the instruction
and training of the after years.”
Ministry of Healing, p. 380.
“It is during the first years of a child's life that his
mind is most susceptible to impressions either good
or evil. During these years decided progress is made
in either a right direction or a wrong one.” Child
Guidance, p. 193.
“Many neglect their duty during the first years of their
children's lives, thinking that when they get older,
they will then be very careful to repress wrong and
educate them in the right. But the very time for them
to do this work is when the children are babes in
their arms. It is not right for parents to pet and
humor their children; neither is it right for them
to abuse them. A firm, decided, straightforward course
of action will be productive of the best results.”
Child Guidance,
p. 194.
“Too much importance cannot be placed on the early training
of children. The lessons that the child learns during
the first seven years of life have more to do with
forming his character than all that it learns in future
years.” Child Guidance, p. 193
Jesus Values Children
“Those who love God should feel deeply interested in the
children and youth. To them God can reveal His truth
and salvation. Jesus calls the little ones that believe
on Him, the lambs of His flock. He has a special love
for and interest in the children. . . . The most precious
offering that the children can give to Jesus, is the
freshness of their childhood.” Reflecting
Christ, p. 373.
 “How interestedly the Lord Jesus
knocks at the door of families where there are little
children to be educated and trained! How gently he
watches over the mothers' interest, and how sad He
feels to see children neglected. . . . In the home
characters are formed; human beings are molded and
fashioned to be either a blessing or a curse.” That
I My Know Him, p. 39.
“As the children gathered the wildflowers growing so abundantly
around them, and crowded up to present to Him their
little offerings, He received them gladly, smiled
upon them, and expressed His joy at seeing so many
varieties of flowers.” The Upward Look, p. 57.
“These children were His heritage. He knew that He had come
to ransom them from the enemy by dying on the cross
of Calvary. He spoke words to them that ever after
they carried in their hearts. They were delighted
to think that He appreciated their gifts and spoke
so lovingly to them.” Upward Look, p. 57.
“Christ watched children at their play, and often expressed
His approval when they gained an innocent victory
over something they were determined to do. He sang
to children in sweet and blessed words. They knew
that He loved them. He never frowned on them. He shared
their childish joys and sorrows. Often He would gather
flowers, and after pointing out their beauties to
the children, would leave them with them as a gift.
He had made the flowers and He delighted to point
out their beauties.” Upward Look, p. 57.
“It has been said that Jesus never smiled. This is not correct.
A child in its innocence and purity called forth from
His lips joyous song.” Manuscript 20, Feb. 12, 1902,
"Our Elder Brother." Upward
Look p. 57.
“God wants every child of tender age to be His child, to
be adopted into His family.” Counsels
to Teachers and Parents, p. 169.
“When Jesus told the disciples not to forbid the children
to come to Him, He was speaking to His followers in
all ages,--to officers of the church, to ministers,
helpers, and all Christians. Jesus is drawing the
children, and He bids us, Suffer them to come; as
if He would say, They will come if you do not hinder
them..” Desire of Ages, p. 517.
Children and Salvation
“Children of eight, ten or twelve years, are old enough to
be addressed on the subject of personal religion.
Do not teach your children with reference to some
future period when they shall be old enough to repent
and believe the truth. If properly instructed, very
young children may have correct views of their state
as sinners, and of the way of salvation through Christ.”
Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 400.
“In the closing scenes of earth’s history, many of these
children and youth will astonish people by their witness
to the truth, which will be borne in simplicity, yet
with spirit and power. They have been taught the fear
of the Lord, and their hearts have been softened by
a careful and prayerful study of the Bible. In the
near future, many children will be endued with the
Spirit of God, and will do a work in proclaiming the
truth to the world, that at that time cannot well
be done by the older members of the church.” Counsels to Teachers and Parents, pp. 166,167.
“Parents who can be approached in no other way are frequently
reached through their children. Sabbath school teachers
can instruct the children in the truth, and they will,
in turn take it into the home circle. But few teachers
seem to understand the importance of this branch of
the work. The modes of teaching which have been adopted
with such success in the public schools could be employed
with similar results in the Sabbath schools and can
be the means of bringing children to Jesus and educating
them in Bible truth. This will do far more good than
religious excitement of an emotional character, that
passes off as rapidly as it comes.” Testimonies
for the Church, v. 4, p. 70.
Education of Children
“Children should be so educated that they will sympathize
with the aged and afflicted and will seek to alleviate
the sufferings of the poor and distressed. They should
be taught to be diligent in missionary work; and from
their earliest years self-denial and sacrifice for
the good of others and the advancement of Christ’s
cause should be inculcated, that they may be laborers
together with God.” Testimonies, v. 6, p. 429.
“By your manner of dealing with the little ones you can by
the grace of Christ mold their characters for everlasting
life, or by a wrong course of action you can give
them the impress of a satanic character. Never act
from impulse in governing children. Let authority
and affection be blended. Cherish and cultivate all
that is good and lovely and lead them to desire the
higher good by revealing Christ to them.” Evangelism,
p. 582.
“In the children who were brought in contact with Him, Jesus
saw the men and women who should be heirs of His grace
and subjects of His kingdom, and some of whom would
become martyrs for His sake. He knew that these children
would listen to Him and accept Him as their Redeemer
far more readily than would grownup people, many of
whom were the worldly-wise and hardhearted. In teaching,
He came down to their level. He, the majesty of heaven,
answered their questions and simplified His important
lessons to meet their childish understanding.” Evangelism,
p. 579.
“God wants the children and youth to join the Lord's army.
. . . The children have as strong temptations to meet,
on the right hand and on the left, as do the older
soldiers. Satan and his legions will work every device
to ensnare the young. It is the privilege of the children
to enlist in the army of the Lord and seek to persuade
others to join their ranks. Children must be educated
and trained for Jesus Christ. They must be trained
to resist temptation and to fight the good fight of
faith. Direct their minds to Jesus as soon as they
can comprehend your lessons in simple words, easy
to be understood. Teach them self-control. Teach them
to begin the work of overcoming when young, and they
will receive the precious help that Jesus can and
will give, connected with prayerful efforts of parents.
Cheer them with encouraging words for the battles
they fight in resisting temptation and coming off
conquerors through grace given them of Jesus Christ.”
That I May Know Him, p. 42.
“Parents should hang in memory's hall the precious sayings
of Christ. The children will repeat the words they
hear often on the parents' lips--of Christ, and faith,
and truth. Precious truth may be spoken by children.
Whole armies of children may come under Christ's banner
as missionaries, even in their childhood years. Never
repulse the desire of children to do something for
Jesus. Never quench their ardor for working in some
way for the Master. Children rightly educated will
learn to love Jesus and to grieve if they think they
have grieved the Savior by any sin committed by them.
Keep their hearts tender and sensitive by your own
words and example.” That I May Know Him, p. 42.
“The angels of God are ever near your little ones. . . .
Let love and tenderness, patience and self-control,
be at all times the law of your speech. Winning love
is to be like deep waters, ever flowing forth in the
management of your children. All through His life,
Christ performed acts of love and tenderness for the
children.” That I May Know Him, p. 42.
“The children and youth, with their fresh talent, energy,
and courage, their quick susceptibilities, are loved
of God, and He desires to bring them into harmony
with divine agencies. Our children stand, as it were,
at the parting of the ways. On every hand the world's
enticements to self-seeking and self-indulgence call
them away from the path cast up for the ransomed of
the Lord. Whether their lives shall be a blessing
or a curse depends upon the choice they make. . .
. They belong to Christ. They are the purchase of
His blood, the claim of His love. They live because
He keeps them by His power. Their time, their strength,
their capabilities, are His, to be developed, to be
trained, to be used for Him.”. . . In
Heavenly Places, p. 217.
“The Christian worker may be Christ’s agent in drawing these
children to the Savior. By wisdom and tact he may
bind them to his heart, he may give them courage and
hope, and through the grace of Christ may see them
transformed in character, so that of them it may be
said, ‘Of such is the kingdom of God.’” Desire of Ages, p. 70.
如有问题和建议请与Mrs Kathy Peng 联系：kathyapeng@hotmail.com
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