Learning by Imparting

Let the youth advance as fast and as far as they can in acquiring knowledge. Their field of study should be as broad as their powers can compass. And, as they learn, they should impart their knowledge. Thus their minds will acquire discipline and power. It is the use they make of knowledge that determines the value of their education. To spend a long time in study, with no effort to impart what is gained, often proves a hindrance rather than a help to real development.MHH 227.1

In both the home and the school, students should learn how to study and how to impart the knowledge gained. Whatever their calling, they are to be both learners and teachers as long as life shall last. Thus they may advance continually, making God their trust, clinging to Him who is infinite in wisdom, who can reveal the secrets hidden for ages, who can solve the most difficult problems for minds that believe in Him.MHH 227.2

God’s Word places great emphasis upon the influence of association, even upon mature people. How much greater is its power on the developing minds and characters of children and youth! The company they keep, the principles they adopt, the habits they form, will decide the question of their usefulness here and of their future, eternal interest.MHH 227.3

It is a terrible fact, and one that should make the hearts of parents tremble, that in many schools and colleges to which the youth are sent for mental culture and discipline, influences prevail that misshape the character, divert the mind from life’s true aims, and debase the morals. Through contact with irreligious, pleasure loving, and corrupt associates, many youth lose the simplicity and purity, the faith in God, and the spirit of self-sacrifice that Christian fathers and mothers have cherished and guarded by careful instruction and earnest prayer.MHH 227.4

Many who enter school with the purpose of fitting themselves for some line of unselfish ministry become absorbed in secular studies. Their ambition is aroused to win distinction in scholarship and to gain position and honor in the world. They lose sight of the purpose for which they entered school, and their life is given up to selfish and worldly pursuits. Often habits are formed that ruin the life both for this world and for the world to come.MHH 227.5

As a rule, men and women who have broad ideas, unselfish purposes, noble aspirations, are those in whom these characteristics were developed by their associations in early years. In all His dealings with Israel, God urged upon them the importance of guarding the associations of their children. All the arrangements of civil, religious, and social life were made with a view to preserving the children from harmful companionship and making them, from their earliest years, familiar with the precepts and principles of the law of God. The object lesson given at the birth of the nation was of a nature to impress deeply all hearts.MHH 227.6

Before the last terrible judgment came upon the Egyptians in the death of the first-born, God commanded His people to gather their children into their own homes. The doorpost of every house was marked with blood, and all were to abide within the protection assured by this token. So today parents who love and fear God are to keep their children under “the bond of the covenant”—within the protection of those sacred influences made possible through Christ’s redeeming blood.MHH 227.7

Of His disciples Christ said, “‘I have given them Your word; and ... they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.’” John 17:14.MHH 228.1

“Do not be conformed to this world,” God bids us, “but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2.MHH 228.2

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? ... And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’ Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, ...MHH 228.3

Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.’
‘I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.’”
2 Corinthians 6:14-18.MHH 228.4

“Gather the children.” “Make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.” Joel 2:16; Exodus 18:16, KJV.MHH 228.5

“‘Put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.’” Numbers 6:27. “‘All peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord.’” Deuteronomy 28:10.MHH 228.6

“The remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples,
Like dew from the Lord,
Like showers on the grass,
That tarry for no man
Nor wait for the sons of men.”
Micah 5:7.MHH 228.7

We are numbered with Israel. All the instruction given to the Israelites of old concerning the education and training of their children, all the promises of blessing through obedience, are for us. God’s word to us is, “I will bless you ... and you shall be a blessing.” Genesis 12:2.MHH 228.8

Of the first disciples and of all who should believe on Him through their word Christ said, “‘The glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one; I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.’” John 17:22, 23.MHH 228.9

Wonderful, wonderful words, almost beyond the grasp of faith! The Creator of all worlds loves those who give themselves to His service, even as He loves His Son. Even here and now His gracious favor is bestowed upon us to this marvelous extent. He has given us the Light and Majesty of heaven, and with Him He has bestowed all the heavenly treasure. Much as He has promised us rich rewards in the life to come, so also He bestows princely gifts in this life. As subjects of His grace, He desires us to enjoy everything that will ennoble, expand, and elevate our characters. He is waiting to inspire the youth with power from above, that they may stand under the blood-stained banner of Christ, to work as He worked, to lead souls into safe paths, to plant the feet of many upon the Rock of Ages.MHH 229.1

All who are seeking to work in harmony with God’s plan of education will have His sustaining grace, His continual presence, His keeping power. To everyone He says:MHH 229.2

“‘Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you.’” “‘I will not leave you nor forsake you.’” Joshua 1:9, 5.MHH 229.3

“‘As the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
For you shall go out with joy,
And be led out with peace;
The mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you.
And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree,
And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree;
And it shall be to the Lord for a name,
For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.’”
Isaiah 55:10-13.MHH 229.4

Throughout the world, society is in disorder, and a thorough transformation is needed. The education given to the youth is to mold the whole social fabric.MHH 229.5

“They shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations,
And they shall repair the ruined cities,
The desolations of many generations.”
People shall call them “the Servants of our God. ...
Everlasting joy shall be theirs.
‘For I, the Lord, love justice; ...
I will direct their work in truth,
And will make with them an everlasting covenant.
Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles,
And their offspring among the people.
All who see them shall acknowledge them,
That they are the posterity whom the Lord has blessed.’ ...
For as the earth brings forth its bud,
As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth,
So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.”
Isaiah 61:4, 6-8, 9, 11.MHH 229.6