Philosophy of Adventist Education

Study Notes on Chapters 19, 20 and 23 in the book Education. These are named History and Prophecy, Bible Teaching and Study, and Recreation.

  1. How has Divinity been manifest in the accuracy of the Bible after it was written?
  2. How does sacred and secular history differ in regards to causation in national build-ups?
  3. Education pages 174:0-175:1 give a “philosophy of history.” Write the scripture references used in this section and, in your own words, the tenet or idea that Ellen White draws from the passage as part of the philosophy of history.
  4. Under two different figures, a tree and a slaughterhouse, the Bible illustrates national governments. Be prepared to explain how governments today may act to fit under one of these pictures.
  5. Explain briefly the meaning of Ez. 21:26-27.
  6. Secular human history begins with discovered written records and ends with today’s events. Bible history begins prior to creation and carries on to the future. In Sacred History, eschatology and history are one. Understand this sentence. Don’t write anything about it for this assignment.
  7. What does Ellen White mean by the phrase “the world’s first destruction” on page 183? Write the sentence that begins “Engrossed” with very simple words that most fourth graders could understand.
  8. Criticize this sentence: “Jesus demonstrated, during his life here on earth, a Divinely inspired knowledge of the Bible and thus gave evidence that he was truly God.”
  9. What portions of the Bible are specially adapted to the needs of children?
  10. What kind of methods does EGW suggest will help fix Bible lessons in the memory of chilodren?
  11. In the Great Controversy we find EGW speaking against innovation in worship forms. What does she have to say about innovation in teaching forms?
  12. What part should the Ten Commandments play in family worship?
  13. In 186:2-3 Ellen White’s presentation on family worship corresponds to her axiology. Examine the paragraph. Compare and contrast her axiology in worship with that of modern worship trends.
  14. The laws of heredity have been ordained in such a way that children inherit morals from their parent’s influence. Understand this statement in light of 187:1.
  15. How was Abraham qualified to be the father of the blessed nations in 187:2?
  16. Think creatively. How could an academic program be organized to work most in harmony with the principle in 188:1?
  17. What beauties does Ellen White refer to in 188:3 that would exert such a profoundly wholesome influence on the student?
  18. What influence does a wide reading of “even books that in themselves are not harmful” have on the mind?
  19. In 190:2 EGW suggest the relation of the Great Controversy (not the book) to Bible study. Understand this paragraph. Be prepared to discuss it.
  20. Which teachers in our schools should be prepared to explain the book of Revelation?
  21. The last portion of 191:4 was used to market the Pocket versions of the Conflict of the Ages series. This marketing strategy seems to have died away. I forget now to carry my copies with me. I cannot assign a revival, so I recommend this paragraph to your practical application.
  22. What are the three great motive powers of the soul? What does the Bible mean by the phrase “Beauties of holiness”?
  23. Define briefly and contrast: Recreation, Amusement.
  24. Recent studies have shown that one out of five people that fly on airplanes catch a cold[1] from the trip…from sitting so close to others and breathing air that shares moisture and germs. What does Ellen White say about the classroom that is related to this finding?
  25. What ages does Ellen White recommend as years when students should still be studying outdoors with their mothers without being kept confined to class-room studies away from home? What reason does she give in justification of this recommendation?
  26. How might posture when studying impact the later years of your life? Thought question: Do you breath deeply and easily while studying? Do you have sufficient ventilation? Do you “curl up” to study?
  27. What special advice does Ellen White give to poor students who are very busy because of their needs to earn money and to keep with their studies simultaneously?
  28. Ellen White speaks often about unbalanced minds and the damage they cause in the church. In the chapter on recreation she speaks of the etiology of an imbalanced mind. How might a mind become imbalanced?
  29. Be prepared to explain the relation of physiology to morality as expressed in 209:2
  30. In 209:3 EGW quotes the Bible without giving a reference. Write the entire verse and the reference where it may be found.
  31. Write a short paragraph on the gymnasium (ie, gym), its pros and cons.
  32. Ellen White divides sports into brutal and “not so brutalizing.” What danger does she indicate apply the former class or sports? What dangers does she indicate apply to both?
  33. What way has Inspiration pointed out for us to find wholesome and life-giving diversions from our regular activities and occupations?
  34. According to 211:4, what does our choice of home location show about our axiology?
  35. In 212:1 EGW describes how teachers “in some schools” benefit their students and indicates that it would be better if this practice were “more generally” followed. What practice is she speaking of?
  36. What practical suggestion does EGW give to help schools prevent vandalism of their property?
  37. What kind of activity does EGW suggest as an ideal form of recreation on page 212-213:2? Would this likely be considered cardiovascular exercise?
  38. The regular routine of school can ill bear interruptions from recreational activities. How would Ellen White respond to this statement?

[1] Quoted in Readers Digest, Nov. 2003, p. 54