Education for Eternity
Education for Eternity: The Purpose of Adventist Education
I moved to the United States when I was 12. I stood out from all of my friends. One obvious difference was that I did not speak English. But other signs showed I wasn't from here. For example, when we had pizza at school, I was the only one eating it with a fork and a knife. I was also the only one adding ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise to my pizza. I was so shocked that my classmates were shocked; wasn’t this the way everyone ate pizza?
I also soon learned that people did not hug nearly as much, and kisses were unheard of. Americans were so cold and distant (this was in New England; other parts of the US have warmer cultures). As time went by, I learned the language; I learned to eat pizza with my hands (it still feels barbaric), but some differences remained. My language continues to be different. Though my accent has improved through careful effort, my sentence structure still betrays me every now and then. My high school Advanced Placement English teacher said she could pick out my essays without even looking at the name of who wrote them. Apparently, I write differently and use unique words. According to Grammarly, I use more unique words than 92% of its users. So I have an accent even when I write.
But more than my accent, unique words, and odd sentence structure, I have another kind of accent. My Brazilianness sets me apart from my friends. It wasn't easy being the only boy in my middle and high school who loved to play volleyball; apparently, it was considered a girl’s sport. But there was more. My vocabulary is also different in that I avoid cursing and taking God’s name in vain. I don’t smoke; I don’t drink alcohol; I don’t do drugs. I decided to wait until marriage for intimacy. I was honest and refused to lie even if it was part of a game or prank. I attended church on Saturday and kept the day holy. This really confused my Jewish classmates.
My point is that although my culture is shaped by my Brazilianness, it has been shaped even more by my love for Jesus. I can eat pizza with a fork and knife or with my hands. I can add ketchup or eat it without it. I can call football a game where you mostly hold the ball with your hands, and call soccer the game where you mostly use your feet. I can learn English and work on my pronunciation. But what has a more significant impact on my life is my love for Jesus. Because regardless of the culture I am in- Brazilian, American, or any other place on this globe- there are things that I will do or refuse to do because of my love for Jesus. Regardless of the local culture, I will be honest. I will not take God’s name in vain. Regardless of the culture around me, I will not abandon my convictions simply because they are unpopular. I will not bow down and worship other gods. You get the idea. But the accent of heaven is more than a list of things we don't do. At its deepest level, it reflects the character of Jesus—love for God and love for people.
Those of us who follow God have an accent. We treat people differently; our values are different; we handle conflict differently; we refuse to compromise when it comes to our moral standards; the way we speak and live is different, and it is all shaped by Who we worship.
My behavior is an accent from my true home, the kingdom of God. I learned from Jesus to desire for God’s will to be done as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). My obedience is not an attempt to earn my citizenship; it is simply evidence of where my heart is. My primary identity, over my Brazilian or American citizenship, is that of a child of God.
That is what Adventist education is ultimately about: helping us develop the accent of another kingdom.
True education
My education began long before I ever set foot in a school. Education is about far more than just classes you take in school.
“True education means more than the pursual of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come.”
—Education (Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1903), 13.
I grew up in an environment and culture largely shaped by the quote above. From an early age, I understood I needed to develop my mind, body, and spirit. My parents always emphasized eating healthy foods and avoiding junk. Sleep mattered in our household, and though I didn’t appreciate it, my parents set a strict bedtime for my sister and me. Reading mattered, and my mom often read to us when we were little. We had a whole collection of Bible stories illustrated for kids. I don’t remember the first time I learned about God’s great love for me, that Jesus was coming soon to put an end to death and suffering, and that one day the earth would be made new; that understanding has been there from the beginning. Prayer has been part of my life since my earliest memories. I learned to pray as soon as I woke up, thanking God for another day of life and asking for help, protection, and guidance for the day ahead. We prayed as a family in the car before leaving the house; we prayed before every meal. God has been a real, present friend and helper since my earliest memories. I learned to begin each day with gratitude and an awareness of my need for God to do what He was calling me to do that day.
These may seem like trivial details. But my sense of worth, identity, and purpose was clear from a young age, built on a solid foundation: Jesus Christ and the Bible. My identity as a child of God, a follower of Christ, and a missionary was established early on. I knew I was called to live as Jesus lived. I should be honest and kind, strong, and help those in need. I should use the gifts God gave me to help those around me. This identity helped me navigate life. It gave me a foundation and direction, which helped me face life’s uncertainties.
From the Bible, we learn that God created humans in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). Debate continues over what exactly comprises the image of God, but one characteristic I see is that we are all endowed with individuality and the power to think and do. When we develop this power, we can bear responsibilities, lead companies, and influence character. It is the work of true education to develop this power, to train students to be thinkers, and not mere reflectors of the thoughts of others. Instead of confining their study to that which others have said or written, students should be directed to the sources of truth, to the vast fields opened for research in nature and revelation. Students should contemplate the great facts of duty and destiny; this will expand and strengthen their minds. Instead of educated weaklings, our school will send forth men and women strong to think and to act, people who are masters and not slaves of circumstances, who possess breadth of mind, clearness of thought, and the courage of their convictions. This kind of education provides more than mental discipline; it provides more than physical training. It strengthens the character, so that truth and honesty are not sacrificed to selfish desire or material ambition. It fortifies the mind against evil. Instead of some master passion becoming a power to destroy, every motive and desire is brought into conformity to the great principles of right according to the Bible. (Education, 17–18)
What should education teach?
According to Colossians 2:2-3, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in God. The clearest revelation of God is found in Jesus (John 1:14, 18; 14:6-10; 17:25-26; Matthew 11:27; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:2-3; etc.), and Jesus expertly summarizes the Old Testament teachings in two main principles.
37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
—Matthew 22:37-40 NKJV
In all that we do, we must always keep in mind that God is above all, and we should love Him with all that we have, and other people should be loved as we love ourselves. This principle helps us not only navigate life better but also understand and apply the scriptures properly. The Bible is the perfect standard of truth, and as such should be given the highest place in education. To obtain an education worthy of the name, we must receive a knowledge of God, the Creator, and of Christ, the Redeemer, as they are revealed in the Bible. The best way to develop and grow every aspect of our being is to anchor it in the Bible.
Education should teach us how to think, what is ultimately true, and what kind of people we should ultimately become.
Discipleship
When Israel was about to enter the promised land, Moses reminded them of who they were and the God they worshiped.
4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
—Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NKJV
In this passage, Moses outlines how education was to take place. The parents should have the word of God in their hearts and teach their children and talk about it when they sat at home, when they walked together, when they went to bed, and when they woke up. The word of God should shape their thoughts and their behavior (a sign on their hand and between their eyes); it should shape the culture in their homes (doorposts and gates).
Adventist Education
Adventist Education focuses on the holistic development of the person, physical, mental, and spiritual. We teach all subjects from a biblical worldview. Health, service, and mission are important. We value and encourage critical thinking, along with character development. We long for the return of Jesus, and that blessed hope (Titus 2:13) helps us navigate current challenges and places our ultimate hope in Jesus and His kingdom. So we make decisions now in light of eternal realities. We also highlight the Sabbath and the importance of rest, and that our value is not found only in doing things; God invites us to rest in Him and with Him, and to worship and celebrate who He is.
True education begins in the home.
As much as I love and value Adventist Education, I recognize that no teacher or institution can do all the work of educating our children. This work takes an entire community. Parents have one of the most important influences in their children's lives. Adventist Education partners with parents to raise kids with biblical values. We want our children to be safe in the love of Jesus and live a bold life of service from that place of security in Christ. The best way to achieve this is for the parents to be loving and for the family to seek God together. Family worship is key; loving God with their all and loving others as themselves should be part of the family culture. Our kids should know that nothing can ever separate them from the love of God (Romans 8:31-39), and that they were created to do good things (Ephesians 2:10).
The practical application of this is that they are loved just for existing; they don’t have to earn it. The good behavior, kindness, honesty, etc. are simply what they were made to do. This is how we live our lives as children of God. This does not earn our salvation or God’s love. Our obedience to God blesses those around us and gives glory to God (Matthew 5:16; John 15:8). Our behavior stems from our identity in Christ. Our salvation rests securely in Jesus. Similarly, our children should know that we love them simply because they exist. Yes, their choices have consequences, and they need guidance, but they should never feel unloved. Especially when there is discipline and consequences, we must help the child understand them in the context of love.
More caught than taught
Children will learn to pray by hearing others pray. Parents, I encourage you to pray for your children out loud. Let your child hear how you talk to God; let your child hear you interceding for them. Every child should know that they have parents, grandparents, and other adults who pray for them. I am so happy that at our local school (Boise Valley Adventist School), the teachers pray for their students. They begin the day with a devotional thought. But this does not replace the importance of worship at home as a family. Our kids may be too young to grasp abstract theological points. Still, they can learn by observing how you relate to God and how your relationship with God molds your behavior and the quality of your relationships.
They learn prayer by watching us pray.
They learn forgiveness by watching us forgive.
They learn service by watching us serve.
Our children don't just hear our theology. They watch our theology walk around the house.
The beauty of Adventist Education is that the experience of our kids in school is congruent with what they experience in a loving Christian home. Our teachers, staff, and volunteers aim not only to help students advance academically but also to create a harmonious atmosphere where Jesus is at the center of all we do. We want to set our kids up to succeed in life. Learning math, science, history, and English is important. But it is also important to know that you are loved, that you belong, that you should be honest and kind, and that you should share, forgive, and get along with your peers. It is important for our kids to know that life is more than having the most toys or doing whatever you want; there is also eternal life in a perfect world with Jesus. That eternal reality is our destiny as children of God, and we begin to practice what life will be like in a perfect world by obeying God right now, especially when situations are less than ideal.
Our obedience today is not an attempt to earn our place in heaven, but a revelation that the kingdom of God is our true citizenship. Our kids will learn this by how we treat each other, how we treat them. They will learn what Jesus is like and that Jesus loves them from their interactions with us, from their parents and teachers.
Making it practical
What does this look like? What can we actually do to help form our children for God’s kingdom?
1. Help your children know they belong to Christ.
2. Make your home a place where God is known.
3. Let your children see your faith, not merely hear it.
4. Teach them how to think, not merely what to think.
5. Give them opportunities to serve others.
True education is not simply about preparing children to succeed in this world. It is about helping them know God, understand who they are in Christ, develop the ability to think for themselves, form Christlike character, and learn to live as citizens of God's kingdom.
In an ideal world, the parents at home, the church, and the school all work together to help guide the children to grow and mature, protected and equipped to succeed in life. But families have different circumstances, resources, opportunities, and beliefs, so do the best you can with what God has made available to you.
If you can homeschool your kids well, go for it! If that is not a viable option, Adventist Schools are a great option. If there are no Adventist Schools in your area, a Christian school can be a good option. If Christian education is not a viable option, I encourage parents to prioritize discipleship at home and strong involvement with their local church and age-appropriate ministries for their kids. The best Christian school cannot compensate for a home that neglects discipleship, and a Christian home doesn't have to carry the entire burden of education alone. We do this as a community.
If you don’t have kids but care about discipling the next generation, get involved at your local church or church school, or donate so kids have the option of a Christian education. It takes a village to disciple our kids, and we get to be that village.
One day our children will leave our homes.
They will enter classrooms, workplaces, universities, friendships, marriages, and cultures that we cannot control. We won't always be there to tell them what to do. But we can give them something that travels with them.
An accent.
An accent that says, “I know whose I am.”
“I will tell the truth even when lying would be easier.”
“I will forgive because I have been forgiven.”
“I will serve because Jesus has taught me to serve.”
“I will rest because my worth does not come from everything I accomplish.”
“I will love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and I will love my neighbor as myself.”
That is the accent of heaven. And our children learn that accent from what they see in us. They learn it in our homes. They learn it in our churches. They learn it from their teachers. They learn it from the way we pray, the way we forgive, the way we serve, the way we worship, and the way we treat one another. That is why true education is about more than preparing children to succeed in this world. It is about preparing them for eternity. It is about helping them know Jesus, know who they are in Christ, learn to think, develop Christlike character, and live as citizens of God's kingdom.
So let us give the next generation more than an education. Let us help them learn the accent of heaven. Because one day Jesus is coming back. And by His grace, we will finally be home.
