"***** In sending children to the public schools, parents are placing them under demoralizing influences— influences that injure the morals and habits. In such surroundings, children often receive instruction that trains them to be enemies of Christ. They lose sight of piety and virtue. CT 200.1"
"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners."
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle of 1 Corinthians 15:33, warning against the corrupting influence of negative associations, particularly in the context of public schools.
"Many public schools are permeated by the baneful influence of boys and girls who are experts in sin. And the children who are allowed to play on the street are also obtaining a training that thoughtless parents will sometime learn leads to recklessness and lawlessness. CT 200.2"
"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners."
The EGW passage warns against the corrupting influence of sinful peers, which directly reflects the principle in 1 Corinthians 15:33 about evil communications corrupting good manners.
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
The EGW passage discusses the training children receive and the consequences of thoughtless parenting, which aligns with the principle of Proverbs 22:6 about training a child in the right way.
"***** God has given inquiring minds to youth and children. Their reasoning powers are entrusted to them as precious talents. It is the duty of parents to keep the matter of their education before them in its true meaning; for it comprehends many lines. They should be taught to improve every talent, expecting that all will be used in the service of Christ for the uplifting of fallen humanity. CT 200.3"
"For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
The EGW passage explicitly mentions talents given to youth and children and the expectation that they be used in service to Christ. This is a clear parallel to the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30.
"***** Much of the success of a church school depends upon the teacher chosen. The one placed in charge of a school should be of suitable age; and where the number of students is large enough, assistants should be chosen from among the older ones. Thus the students will gain an experience of great value. CT 200.4"
"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
The EGW passage discusses the importance of choosing suitable teachers and using older students as assistants to gain experience. While 1 Timothy 4:12 focuses on not despising youth and being an example, the underlying principle of using youth in leadership roles and setting a good example connects the two passages.