The record of Holy Scripture is very clear on the origins of man. Genesis 1:26–27 presents a factual, historical account of God’s intention in creation: “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them have dominion over… all the earth.’ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
It follows, then, that every human being—having been created in the image of God—is endowed with power akin to that of the Creator. This includes individuality, the capacity to think, and the power to do. This is what God originally intended for mankind. In those in whom this power is nurtured and developed, we see the emergence of people who embrace responsibility, take initiative, and shape the character of others. Such individuals become leaders in society and enterprise.
In our fallen nature, however, this divine ideal does not come naturally, as it may have to Adam before sin entered the world. Reclaiming this ideal requires deliberate, lifelong effort. True education exists to support this noble work: to develop in each child the capacity for independent thought, moral courage, and purposeful action. It is especially vital that this work begins in the formative years. For education to be true, it must not produce mere reflectors of others’ thoughts, but train young people to be critical, principled thinkers.
The aim of such education must be to lead young minds to a knowledge of God the Creator and of Christ the Redeemer, as revealed in Scripture. But how is this to be done? Thankfully, God has not left us to guess. In Matthew 6:33, Christ gives this profound instruction: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”. The context here is powerful—Christ addresses the anxiety of His followers regarding material needs. His reassurance is simple yet profound: prioritise God’s kingdom, and everything else will fall into place. If we train our young people to seek God first, we position them for success in every other area, including the sciences, arts, and practical skills.
The Psalmist gives a powerful testimony in Psalm 119:97–100, declaring: “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. Through Your commandments, You make me wiser than my enemies… I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Your precepts.” This remarkable passage reveals that divine wisdom—surpassing even educators and elders—comes not merely from knowledge acquisition, but from a deep love for God’s law and a life anchored in His Word.
If our students can hear and discern the voice of the Lord, if they can learn to love His commandments and meditate on His word, their lives will be immeasurably transformed. The pursuit of true education is ultimately a spiritual journey—one in which learning is guided by divine light.
Reflecting further on the dignity of man, the Psalmist in Psalm 8 expresses awe:
“What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?”
He continues, “You have made him a little lower than the angels.” This is striking, for the angels, in Scripture, are depicted as mighty, swift, and ever ready to do God’s bidding. They rejoice in worship and count it a privilege to serve their King. The challenge for our model of education is to inspire such devotion in our students—that they, too, may find joy in seeking and serving the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Those who partner with the divine in educating youth—who seek to impart a love for God, a pursuit of righteousness, and a character aligned with heaven—do a high and noble work. They awaken a desire to reach God’s ideal. Such education is “as high as heaven and as broad as the universe”. It transforms narrow and low views of learning, expanding the vision and deepening the purpose. This kind of education nurtures the whole being—preparing students for joyful service in this life and for the higher joy of eternal service in the life to come.
What then shall we say about these things?
The conclusion is clear: true education is far more than completing a course or mastering a subject. Its core aim is to train young people to “fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man”. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
At Aurum Adventist Academy, we are committed to living out these ideals. We are dedicated to the character development of our students—preparing them not only for life in this world, but for the world to come.
To learn more about our Academy, visit aurum.org.za.
