Sucess in life and education

An excerpt from Education - Searching the Owner’s Manual by: Kevin Swanson

Dr. Thomas Stanley, a man who has dedicated his life to researching successful businessmen in America, has written a series of books on these millionaires. Although he does not refer to the Bible or the book of Proverbs in his discussion of success factors, his research correlates with the wisdom that descends fr om that ancient Book. In the survey of 733 millionaires, Dr. Stanley found the following to be the factors most important to success in life, (Thomas J. Stanley, PhD, The Millionaire Mind, (Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2000), P. 34):
1. Telling the Truth
2. Self discipline
3. Getting Along with People
4. Having a Supportive Spouse
5. Hard Work
Recently I did a statistical survey on the lessons most frequently taught in the book of Proverbs. Mentioned over 140 times in the book, the most repeated character theme in the Proverbs is honesty and the use of the tongue. The Number One factor on the list of factors claimed by millionaires to have contributed to success is “telling the truth!” An incredible coincidence? The next four factors on the millionaires’ list are also prominent lessons in the book of Proverbs. What about a supportive spouse? Ironically, that too can be found in the book of Proverbs (Prov. 31:10).
Several qualifications at this point are in order. Economic success is only one blessing among many potential blessings that attends a nation that upholds the character traits and lessons taught in the Proverbs. Moreover, not everyone who cultivates strength of character in his life is fabulously wealthy. There are undoubtedly some very rich people who refuse to incorporate these characteristics into their lives, but this kind of wealth is inevitably short lived.
After a century or two of ignoring God’s word in our psychology and education theory, many burned-out educators and parents are taking a second look at what God said about education. You can take ten minutes in God’s book and find a great deal of wisdom in this area of educating children. Here is what I found:
1. Character is 99% of the content of an education program.
2. Relationships matter. The parent-child relationship matters. The hearts of our children matter.
3. Sometimes you have to teach, sometimes you have to warn, sometimes you have to cry out in desperation, sometimes you have to repeat an important lesson ten different ways.
4. Learning is an honorable thing.
5. You need to teach knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.
6. The existence of God and the fear of God lies at the foundation of all knowledge and wisdom.
7. A good education includes wisdom which is knowledge lived out and applied.
These principles will transcend all other theories and lessons on education. You do not need a doctorate degree in education to become a competent educator. As a parent, God has already equipped you for the task. But you should take a few minutes to study God’s 20 page manual - the Proverbs.