"Parents should not forget their childhood years, how much they yearned for sympathy and love, and how unhappy they felt when censured and fretfully chided. They should be young again in their feelings and bring their minds down to understand the wants of their children. Yet with firmness, mixed with love, they should require obedience from their children. The parents’ word should be implicitly obeyed. 1T 388.1"
"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."
The EGW passage directly addresses the principle of not provoking children, expanding on the need for sympathy and understanding, which aligns with the intent of Ephesians 6:4.
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Both passages deal with child-rearing. Proverbs 22:6 focuses on the long-term impact of training, while the EGW passage focuses on the parent's attitude and methods. They share a common theme of proper upbringing.
"comfort of His company, and be to us a perpetual guide. He does not despise, neglect, or leave behind the children of the flock. He has not bidden us move forward and leave them. He has not traveled so hastily as to leave us with our children behind. Oh, no; but He has evened the path to life, even for children. And parents are required in His name to lead them along the narrow way. God has appointed us a path suited to the strength and capacity of children. 1T 388.2"
"Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
EGW directly references the concept of the 'narrow way' leading to life, which is a key element of Matthew 7:14. The context of guiding children along this path further strengthens the connection.
"He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake."
Both passages speak of God leading individuals on a path. Psalm 23:3 refers to 'paths of righteousness,' while EGW speaks of 'the path to life' and a path suited to children. The shared theme of divine guidance makes this a thematic parallel.
"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
Both passages emphasize the importance of children in the context of faith and salvation. While EGW focuses on guiding children, Matthew 19:14 highlights their inherent place in the kingdom of heaven. The connection is thematic, revolving around children and their relationship with God.