"Parents, in the training of your children, study the lessons that God has given in nature. If you would train a pink, or rose, or lily, how would you do it? Ask the gardener by what process he makes every branch and leaf to flourish so beautifully, and to develop in symmetry and loveliness. He will tell you that it was by no rude touch, no violent effort; for this would only break the delicate stems. It was by little attentions, often repeated. He moistened the soil, and protected the growing plants from the fierce blasts and from the scorching sun, and God caused them to flourish and to blossom into loveliness. In dealing with your children, follow the method of the gardener. By gentle touches, by loving ministrations, seek to fashion their characters after the pattern of the character of Christ. DA 516.1"
"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 the training of children. Proverbs 22:6 provides the general principle, while the EGW passage expands on this principle by using the analogy of a gardener and emphasizing gentle, loving care in child-rearing.
"Encourage the expression of love toward God and toward one another. The reason why there are so many hardhearted men and women in the world is that true affection has been regarded as weakness, and has been discouraged and repressed. The better nature of these persons was stifled in childhood; and unless the light of divine love shall melt away their cold selfishness, their happiness will be forever ruined. If we wish our children to possess the tender spirit of Jesus, and the sympathy that angels manifest for us, we must encourage the generous, loving impulses of childhood. DA 516.2"
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."
Both passages emphasize the importance of love. 1 John 4:7 states that love is of God, while the EGW passage discusses the importance of encouraging love in children and the negative consequences of suppressing it.
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you."
Both passages encourage kindness and tenderheartedness. Ephesians 4:32 directly commands these qualities, while the EGW passage explains the importance of encouraging love and affection in childhood to prevent hardheartedness.
"Teach the children to see Christ in nature. Take them out into the open air, under the noble trees, into the garden; and in all the wonderful works of creation teach them to see an expression of His love. Teach them that He made the laws which govern all living things, that He has made laws for us, and that these laws are for our happiness and joy. Do not weary them with long prayers and tedious exhortations, but through nature's object lessons teach them obedience to the law of God. DA 516.3"
"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:"
Both passages connect the natural world with God's character and power. Romans 1:20 states that God's invisible attributes are understood through creation. EGW encourages teaching children to see Christ's love expressed in nature, reflecting a similar theme of understanding God through the created world.