"The directions given concerning the Hebrew children teach us that nothing which affects the child's physical well-being is to be neglected. Nothing is unimportant. Every influence that affects the health of the body has its bearing upon mind and character. MH 380.1"
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s."
EGW's statement about the importance of physical well-being affecting mind and character aligns with the principle in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and should be used to glorify God. The connection is a direct application of the biblical principle to child-rearing.
"Too much importance cannot be placed upon the early training of children. The lessons learned, the habits formed, during the years of infancy and childhood, have more to do with the formation of the character and the direction of the life than have all the instruction and training of after years. MH 380.2"
"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, emphasizing the importance of early childhood training in shaping character and life direction.
"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
Both passages highlight the importance of early exposure to scripture/training. While Proverbs 22:6 is a more direct parallel, 2 Timothy 3:15 also supports the idea that early training is important.
"Parents need to consider this. They should understand the principles that underlie the care and training of children. They should be capable of rearing them in physical, mental, and moral health. Parents should study the laws of nature. They should become acquainted with the organism of the human body. They need to understand the functions of the various organs, and their relation and dependence. They should study the relation of the mental to the physical powers, and the conditions required for the healthy action of each. To assume the responsibilities of parenthood without such preparation is a sin. MH 380.3"
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
While Proverbs 22:6 is a general statement, the EGW passage expands on the *how* of training a child, which is implied in the proverb. It emphasizes the need for parents to be knowledgeable and prepared, which aligns with the principle of training a child 'in the way he should go'.
"Most of the evils that are bringing misery and ruin to the race might be prevented, and the power to deal with them rests to a great degree with parents. It is not a “mysterious providence” that removes the little children. God does not desire their death. He gives them to the parents to be trained for usefulness here, and for heaven hereafter. Did fathers and mothers do what they might to give their children a good inheritance, and then by right management endeavor to remedy any wrong conditions of their birth, what a change for the better the world might see! MH 380.5"
"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."
EGW's discussion of children as a gift from God and the responsibility of parents to provide a good inheritance thematically parallels Psalm 127:3, which states that children are a heritage from the Lord. The connection highlights the divine origin and value of children.