Education

How did you learn and become the person that you are today? Chances are, you went to school. First with Elementary, then secondary, and then on to a form of higher education such as a university. But is that the only way? And is that the best way?

Education is a big topic that we will be discussing this Friday night. We will talk about the structure in America and Ukraine, as well as competing views on it. I (Beverly) was trained as an elementary school teacher in New York City and currently teach English with the ELC in Kiev. I have experienced many different forms of learning including formal (regular) education, homeschooling, a bit of "unschooling," and alternative/contract school (a mix of homeschool and regular school). I changed my major a few times in college and so have a wide variety of subjects that I have studied. Josh, (who will hopefully be joining us), has taken the normal route in education: traditional school, university, and finally law school. He also has a lot to say on his view of education. 

Why is education important? We all learn, so why does it matter how we learn or what we learn? It's important because it shapes our characters and makes us who we are. Whenever teachers get together to decide what they will be teaching their students, they ask themselves, "What do they need to know?" and "What books will we use to teach them?" This can be a very big task for them, because there is so much information in the world. As well as so many books and textbooks. How do we know what knowledge we should be learning? Proverbs 20:15 tells us that we can find gold and even many rubies, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel. In other words, it is hard to find.



We were created in God's image, but since humans sinned and turned away from God, we can no longer directly commune (talk) with Him to learn how we should be. But the Bible and nature reveal (teach) Him to us.

"To restore in man the image of his maker [God], to bring him back to the perfection in which he was created, to promote the development of body, mind, and soul, that the divine purpose in his creation might be realized - this was to be the work of redemption [Jesus coming to Earth to die for us and pa our penalty for sin]. This is the object [goal] of education, the great object of life...Love, the basis [foundation] of creation and redemption, is the basis of true education." (Ellen G. White - "Education")

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English Journal

What was your education like?
If you could, what would you change about your education?
Do you think that education is good in Ukraine?
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Resources:

Education- By Ellen G. White - http://www.ellenwhite.info/books/bk-ed-contents.htm

How Evolution Flunked the Science Test - by Joe Crews - http://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/book/e/33/t/how-evolution-flunked-the-science-test

Transcript for Friday April 3rd's Class "Philippians 4:8"

This is the class transcript for our meeting on Friday, April 3rd.  The transcript talks about the points that we made and the order in which we talked about them.  The questions that were asked of the class are also here.  This class is based on the entry called "Thinking About What We Focus On."

This class is based on one of my favorite verses in the Bible.  It is a powerful verse that has improved my life greatly.  

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Does anyone know what the verse means?

• The verse means to think about things that are good
• Thinking about things that make you feel good keep you happy.  
• Thinking about things that are bad make you feel bad.

What are some examples of things that make you feel bad?

Ideas:  Death, sickness, fights with people you have known, a bad job you had, bad financial situation, future events (possible loss of job; possible divorce; things that we are not quite sure about), past events (job lost, person who made you angry, ex boyfriend or girlfriend).

It is best to not dwell on these things.  To dwell in this way means to focus on something for a very long time.  They are either in the past and done with, and can not be changed, or they could happen in the future but may not happen.  It is best to not worry about them today.

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34

What then should you think about?

Good things

What are some things that you think about that make you feel good?

Ideas:  Nature, hobbies, friends, pets, family, God, health, blessings, food, some possible future events, or plans and goals.

Do you notice a difference in how you feel when you think of bad things and when you think of good things?

What we watch and listen to also influences how we feel.  Influence means tells us to do something or make our mind feel something.  This could also be said as the things we watch, the things we listen to, the things we see, they all can make our minds feel a certain way.

There are a lot of things that may make a person feel bad.  Watching certain movies may affect how you feel.  Everyone is different, and some people react differently to different types of media.  For example, I do not like horror movies. 

Are there any things that make you feel bad that you sometimes feel that you should have not paid attention to?

There is another saying that I think of often, and it is “by beholding we become changed.”

Does anyone know what this means?  

To behold means to hold something or to be a part of something.  It can mean to watch something, to do something, to spend time with something, to hold it in your hand.  To hold it in your mind, even.  When we hold something in our mind in this way we become like the thing we hold.  

For example, when we spend a lot of time thinking about something or doing something, we begin to integrate that into ourselves.  Integrate means to make it a part of us.  So, we make our actions and passions a part of us.

I have found throughout my own life that it is important to try to keep a mind that is healthy and in order to keep a healthy mind I must be careful what I think about, what I do, and how I spend my time. 

For example, there are many places on the internet where people are negative and hateful.  I have found that when I read such things I start thinking about what they said.  I sometimes rethink about what they say and I dwell on it, or think about it, for a very long time.  It becomes a part of me when I think of that.

Another example is spending time with certain people.  I found that some of the people I spent time with had bad habits.  Maybe they ate a certain way or thought a certain way.  Maybe they always talked about other people in a bad way.  I would start to think like them after a while.  I would start to talk like them, eat like them, and even live like them in some respects.  I found that I had to start guarding myself from that.  I found that it was best to avoid some people if I did not want to become like them.

Sometimes a certain person has a weakness that you may have.  For example, if you are trying to not drink alcohol because you have had a problem with it in the past and you start hanging out with a person who drinks alcohol and always wants to party, get drunk, or drink, chances are you are going to become like them.  This is not always the case, but it happens quite often and presents a type of danger to us.  The more time you spend in such company, the higher the odds are that you will do the actions that they do.

So, we want to focus on that which is pure. That which is good.  That which is just.  They are all words that mean good.  In the Biblical context, they mean the kind of things that God likes. 

The better our minds are, the better our lives are.  When we do things that make us feel good, things that are healthy, things that are truly good, we become better people.  We think clearer, are stronger both mentally and physically, and live more vibrant lives.  The cost of focusing on bad things is very high.  

How can we ignore the bad things when they hurt us so much?  Here are some things that work for us and have helped us a lot in life:

(These are things that you can do when you are upset to get bad thoughts and feelings out of your mind.  Replace the bad thoughts and feelings with good thoughts and feelings).

•  Tell ourselves they are in the past or that they will not last forever.
• Tell ourselves that they are not powerful enough to control our lives.
• We can pray about it and give the problems to God to solve.
• We can make goals and begin to change our lives day by day.
• We can focus on the present.  One thing we can tell ourselves is that “right now everything is alright.”
• When we think of something negative we can say “no, I will not dwell on that.”  Instead, think of something that is positive.
• If really angry or upset, do something you love.  Exercise, read, study, go for a walk, hold your pet, hold your child, think about the good things that you have in your life.  “Count your blessings.”  Take as cold as a shower as you can stand.  You will probably stop thinking about the bad things if you focus on this task. 
• Talk about your thoughts with a friend or family member.  But try not to dwell on the bad.  Focus on how you can get rid of the thoughts and change how you think.
• Think about the past and the good things we have done.  Things that make us happy.  Look at old pictures of places we have been, time with family, our daughter when she was young.
• Listen to your favorite music. 
• Make fun plans for a future weekend or day (some time not too far in the future).

Thinking About What We Focus On

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

One of my favorite verses from the Bible is the above verse.  It is an important thing to consider, even if you are not religious.  What we think about affects who we are and how we feel.

Think about it:  If you think bad thoughts or destructive and negative thoughts, do you feel good or do you feel bad?  Most people will say that they feel bad when they focus on things that are negative or "not good".  I do, too. 

There are many things in the world that make a person feel bad.  However, there are many things that make a person feel good.  The question is, what makes you feel good?  Think about those things, and focus on those things.

Thinking About What We Are Thankful For



Sometimes we lament (feel bad or focus on in a negative way) the bad things that have happened to us.  Sometimes we focus on the bad things that may happen to us.  And sometimes we are not happy about a circumstance in our life (circumstance means a condition).  We may wish we had more money, more friends, more power, or something else.  It is important to, instead of wishing we had something else, to be thankful and glad for the things that we do have.  Everyone is blessed with something great in their life.  Think of some examples of the good things you have.

Some things that we may have in common include:

• Family
• Friends
• Healthy enough to be able to come to Friday Night Club
• A good enough skill in English to be able to understand at least some of what is said here
• Warmer weather to look forward to
• The nature that is around us
• Fond memories of good events that have happened in the past
• We also have a loving God that looks out for us and who cares for us.  

You can add more to that list.  Think of some other things that you are glad for.  Think of your life circumstance, but only of the good things, the things that you are very happy to have.  They may not last forever, but you have been blessed with them now, and other good things that you do not have now will come to you as well.

The Things We Focus On

The above verse does not only talk about what we have, but what we should think about or focus on.  There are many things in the world that exist which do not make us feel good.  Some television shows and movies may make us feel upset.  Some music may not make us feel good.  There are certain websites that make a person feel negative thoughts.  Focusing your mind on these things is destructive.

There are many beautiful things in the world.  Much of this is in nature.  For example, the forest, the mountains, the water, and the sky.  There are flowers and animals in nature that are wonderful to look at.  There are the babies and the children.  There are beautiful poems and friends and good foods.  The ability to create is in itself a beautiful thing.  We should try to focus on these things, and not things such as disease, death, murder, hate, hurtful comments, and the things that are known as sin in the Bible.

When You Feel Sad

We all become depressed and sad.  Many times this is due to inactivity which brings the chance to think negative and sad thoughts.  When we sit alone, bored, we often think of bad things.  Instead, think of some ways that you can focus on good things when you are sad or upset.

Some things that I like to do when I feel sad that are helpful include:

• Go for a walk in nature
• Spend time with my family
• Write or make something
• Read a book such as the Bible
• Exercise
• Take a bath
• Make a nice dinner

Going out in nature makes many of us feel good.

Focusing on the parts of life that we are glad about and focusing our time on things that make us feel good are ways in which we can have a better life.  We choose to either think of things that make us feel sad or make us feel happy.  What we focus our time on right now affects how we feel for a long time.  Focus your time on that which makes you feel happy and good.  Do not dwell on the bad things in life.

Do not focus on tomorrow or what may happen to you in the future.  Focus on today and the good things that are a part of your life.  The Bible says:

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof Matthew 6:3.

In other words, focus on today.  There is enough to deal with at the present time without having to worry about things that may never happen.  There is much "evil" in the world, enough for one day.  Focusing on everything bad that may happen in the future makes a person feel much worse.  

Try it:  If you do something that makes you feel bad, go a few days without doing it.  Ask yourself how you feel without focusing on that thing.  You will probably find that you feel much better without partaking in that activity.

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If you are keeping an "English Journal," write about the following: 

1.  What you like to do when you feel sad.
2.  What do you like to focus on that makes you feel better.
3.  What things should you focus on in life?
4.  What are you thankful for? 

Extra ideas for writing:  Write three things that you are thankful for each day.  This can be done in the morning or at night.  Think about those things and write them down as you go through each day.

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Vocabulary:

Destructive means "to destroy."  Destructive thoughts are the kinds of thoughts that hurt us.
Religious means to spend a lot of time thinking about your religion or God.
Depressed is another way of saying sad.
Disease is another word for sickness.
Blessed means having something that is good.  Usually refers to a gift from God.
Dwell means to think about something a lot (it can also mean the place where someone lives).
Partake is another way to say "to do."