"It is still true that children are the most susceptible to the teachings of the gospel; their hearts are open to divine influences, and strong to retain the lessons received. The little children may be Christians, having an experience in accordance with their years. They need to be educated in spiritual things, and parents should give them every advantage, that they may form characters after the similitude of the character of Christ. DA 515.1"
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle of Proverbs 22:6 regarding the importance of early childhood education and its lasting impact. The focus on training children and shaping their character aligns closely with the proverb's message.
"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."
Ephesians 6:4 speaks to the responsibility of parents in raising children in the Lord. The EGW passage emphasizes the need to educate children in spiritual things and help them form Christ-like characters, which aligns with the principle of nurturing and admonishing children in the Lord.
"Fathers and mothers should look upon their children as younger members of the Lord's family, committed to them to educate for heaven. The lessons that we ourselves learn from Christ we should give to our children, as the young minds can receive them, little by little opening to them the beauty of the principles of heaven. Thus the Christian home becomes a school, where the parents serve as underteachers, while Christ Himself is the chief instructor. DA 515.2"
"And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."
Both passages emphasize the importance of parents teaching their children about faith and spiritual matters. Deuteronomy 6:7 is a broader command to teach diligently, while the EGW passage focuses on teaching children about Christ. It's a thematic parallel in the context of religious education within the family.
"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."
Both passages address the role of fathers (and parents) in raising children in a way that is pleasing to God. Ephesians 6:4 speaks of nurture and admonition, while the EGW passage speaks of educating children for heaven. The underlying principle of raising children in faith is the same.
"teach them to bring their sins to Jesus, asking His forgiveness, and believing that He pardons and receives them as He received the children when He was personally on earth. DA 515.3"
"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
The EGW passage directly references Jesus' acceptance of children and connects it to the idea of bringing sins to Him for forgiveness, echoing the spirit of Matthew 19:14.
"As the mother teaches her children to obey her because they love her, she is teaching them the first lessons in the Christian life. The mother's love represents to the child the love of Christ, and the little ones who trust and obey their mother are learning to trust and obey the Saviour. DA 515.4"
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right."
The EGW passage uses the analogy of a child obeying their mother out of love to illustrate the principle of obedience to God, which aligns with the general principle of children obeying parents found in Ephesians 6:1.
"Jesus was the pattern for children, and He was also the father's example. He spoke as one having authority, and His word was with power; yet in all His intercourse with rude and violent men He did not use one unkind or discourteous expression. The grace of Christ in the heart will impart a heaven-born dignity and sense of propriety. It will soften whatever is harsh, and subdue all that is coarse and unkind. It will lead fathers and mothers to treat their children as intelligent beings, as they themselves would like to be treated. DA 515.5"
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:"
The EGW passage explicitly states that Jesus was an example, which directly reflects the sentiment in 1 Peter 2:21 that Christ left us an example to follow.
"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
The EGW passage's call to treat children as one would like to be treated is a clear application of the Golden Rule found in Matthew 7:12.