"Care in Training the Youth The Lord has presented to me, in many ways and at various times, how carefully we should deal with the young,—that it requires the finest discrimination to deal with minds. Every one who has to do with the education and training of youth, needs to live very close to the great Teacher, to catch His spirit and manner of work. Lessons are to be given which will affect their character and life-work. GW 333"
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6 is a foundational verse on child training. EGW's statement directly echoes this principle, emphasizing the importance of careful and thoughtful education of youth to shape their character and future.
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
Both passages emphasize the importance of learning from Jesus. Matthew 11:29 is a direct invitation to learn from Christ's meekness and lowliness. EGW's statement encourages educators to live close to the 'great Teacher' to catch His spirit and manner of work, which aligns with the call to learn from Jesus.
"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."
Both passages emphasize the importance of growth and development, particularly in the context of a relationship with God. Luke 2:52 describes Jesus' growth, while the EGW passage discusses the need for educators to emulate Jesus' spirit in guiding youth. The connection is thematic, focusing on the development of character and wisdom.
"All who become co-workers with Christ will have a great deal of hard, uncongenial labor to perform, and their lessons of instruction should be wisely chosen, and adapted to their peculiarities of character, and the work which they are to pursue. GW 333.1"
"Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all."
Both passages emphasize the diversity of gifts and roles within the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 speaks directly about different gifts and administrations, while EGW highlights the need to adapt instruction to individual character and work, reflecting the same principle of diverse roles and contributions.
"judgment of others, which tends directly to self-exaltation. The religion of Jesus never degrades the receiver, nor makes him coarse and rough; nor does it make him unkind in thought and feeling toward those for whom Christ died. GW 333.3"
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
The EGW passage describes the effects of true religion, contrasting it with self-exaltation and unkindness. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruits of the Spirit, which directly contradict the negative qualities mentioned in the EGW passage. The connection is a direct principle, as the EGW passage reflects the positive attributes associated with the Spirit-filled life described in Galatians.
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."
Both passages emphasize kindness, humility, and a lack of self-exaltation. The EGW passage specifically contrasts judging others with the spirit of Jesus, while 1 Corinthians 13 describes the characteristics of love, which inherently opposes judgment and self-righteousness.
"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;"
Both passages promote kindness and consideration for others. Romans 12:10 encourages brotherly love and preferring others, while the EGW passage speaks against unkindness and judgment. The connection is present, though not a strong, direct allusion.
"There is danger of attaching too much importance to the matter of etiquette, and diverting much time to education upon the subject of manner and form, that can never be of great use to many youth. Some are in danger of making the externals all-important, of overestimating the value of mere conventionalities. The results will not warrant the expenditure of the time and thought given to these matters. Some who are trained to give much attention to these things, manifest little true respect or sympathy for anything, however excellent, that fails to meet their standard of conventionality. GW 333.4"
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity."
Both passages condemn focusing on outward appearances and neglecting inner righteousness. The EGW passage criticizes excessive attention to etiquette, while Matthew 23:25-28 denounces the Pharisees' hypocrisy in emphasizing external cleanliness while being inwardly corrupt. The parallel is clear and strong.
"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."
Both passages contrast outward appearance with inner character. 1 Samuel 16:7 states that God looks at the heart, not the outward appearance, while the EGW passage warns against overvaluing externals and conventionalities. The EGW passage directly applies the principle found in 1 Samuel.