Education by Ellen G. White AUDIOBOOK Part 2-3

Chapter 2: The Eden School

This chapter discusses the education system established in the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve were taught by God himself.

The Model School

• The Garden of Eden was the schoolroom, and nature was the lesson book.

• Adam and Eve were created to be the image and glory of God, with high mental and spiritual gifts.

• God personally directed their education, often visited by his messengers, the holy angels.

• Useful occupation was appointed to them as a blessing to strengthen their body, expand their mind, and develop their character.

The Book of Nature

• The book of nature spread its living lessons before them, affording an exhaustless source of instruction and delight.

• The laws and operations of nature were opened to their minds by the infinite author of all.

Earth's First School

• Earth's first school provided a fit study for those who were made in His image.

• It was God's purpose that as the human family increased in numbers they should establish other homes and schools like the one he had given.

Chapter 3: The Knowledge of Good and Evil

This chapter discusses how our first parents were not placed beyond the possibility of wrongdoing despite being created innocent and holy.

Power of Choice

• God gave Adam and Eve the power of choice -the power to yield or withhold obedience.

• In order for them to receive blessings fully, their love and loyalty must be tested.

Tree Of Knowledge Of Good And Evil

• In the Garden of Eden was the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

• The Lord God commanded the man saying, "Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."

The Temptation and Fall of Man

This section describes how Satan tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, leading to the fall of man.

Satan's Deception

• Satan denied God's word and insinuated distrust of His wisdom and goodness.

• He claimed that eating the forbidden fruit would impart wisdom and power, which God was withholding from them.

• Although Satan claimed to have received great good by eating the forbidden fruit, he concealed the truth that he had become an outcast from heaven.

Eve's Transgression

• Eve disregarded God's admonition concerning the forbidden tree and came in contact with her foe.

• She coveted what God had forbidden, distrusted His wisdom, and cast away faith.

• She ate the fruit, felt a vivifying power, and imagined herself entering upon a higher state of existence.

• Having transgressed, she became a tempter to her husband.

The Consequences

• Adam and Eve chose the knowledge of evil over good, bringing into the world a knowledge of evil that opened the door to every species of falsehood and error.

• They lost their position in Eden and went forth to dwell upon earth where rested the curse of sin.

• Nature now revealed both good and evil as every living thing must die due to sin.

Redemption Promised

This section describes how God promised redemption after the fall of man.

The Promise

• In the sentence pronounced upon Satan, there was an intimation of redemption.

• Christ would come to earth as a man and take upon Himself the penalty of sin, thus reconciling man to God.

The Hope

• Through faith in Christ, we can be restored to our original position before the fall.

• We can have hope for eternal life and a future free from sin and its consequences.

The Message of Hope

In this section, the speaker talks about how nature can bring hope to those who have lost their way and how it speaks not only of creation but also of redemption.

Nature as a Messenger of Hope

• Words that bring hope can be found in nature.

• Despite the curse and signs of decay, nature is still rich and beautiful in life-giving power.

• The objects and operations of nature that remind us of great loss become messengers of hope.

• As far as evil extends, the voice of our father is heard bidding his children to see in its results the nature of sin, warning them to forsake evil, and inviting them to embrace righteousness.