Philosophy of Work II

Lesson 1 : Manual Training and Practical Duties

This lesson explains the view of God about work as one of His blessings to man.

Most essential Learning Outcome: At the end of the lesson you have conceptualized
and committed to value and live the significance and philosophy of work. 

Performance Indicator: At the end of the lesson, you will be able to conceptualize
and commit the significance of manual training and work education

Enabling Outcomes: At the end of this lesson, each one of you should be able to

1. Explain manual training in the development of the physical dimension of a person.

2. Explain the Adventist concept of Work Education.

3. Discuss the Creator’s expectation to humanity’s putting of talents, skills, time, and
education.

4.Explain God’s ultimate plan in the works of our hands

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Overview

Work is God’s idea. In the ideal world before sin, God gave Adam and Eve the task of
caring for the garden (Gen. 2:15). Like their Creator, in whose image they were
made, they were to be employed in creative labor and loving service. That is, even in
an unfallen world, a world without sin and death and suffering, humanity was to be at
work.

The Adventist Concept of Work Education

Ellen G. White, summarized the central, grounding principle of Adventist education.

''True education means more than the perusal 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"

This statement focuses on certain fundamental principles that should govern Adventist
concepts of education.

(1) True education is a concentrated perusal of a course of study, but it is more than
that.

(2) It prepares the student for the challenges and the duties of life here.

(3) It must also prepare the student for the whole period of existence open before
human beings; that is to say, education is a concern of both now and the hereafter,
both time and eternity.

(4) To accomplish this objective, education must deal with the whole being-physical,
mental, and spiritual dimensions of a person.

(5) This multidimensional development must be harmonious. That is to say, all

dimensions must receive equal attention, without exclusion of any and with
cooperative development of all.

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(6) Only when these five principles are fully understood and followed can the purpose
of true education will be achieved: that is, preparation of students for "the joy of
service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come."

The significant point to note in this foundational statement on education is the word
"harmonious." Ellen White places the physical first, to be followed by the mental and
the spiritual. Not that physical is more important than others, but it is as equal as the
others. Seventh-day Adventist educators stressed the importance of manual work
even as they pressed on the road to excellence in academic studies, spiritual, moral,
and social development.

Work Education. Why important?

Adventist educators believe that education must deal with the whole being-physical,
mental, and spiritual dimensions of a person. In other words true education must be a
harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. Thus
the development and care of the physical is a Scriptural imperative.

Almost all the philosophies of the world have recognized this in one way or the other.
Hindus have their yoga. The Buddhists have their control of the bodily impulses. The
Greeks talked in terms of athletics. Modem education places much emphasis on
gymnasium, related exercises and physical fitness. But the uniqueness of Adventist
emphasis of physical development is not in any of the above, not even in all of the
above. It is to be found in linking physical development with academic and spiritual

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growth, and that physical dimension is further linked to useful work. While
gymnastics, exercises, swimming and other sports do have a place in the cocurricular
activities of a school, they do not necessarily make up the physical dimension of
education that Ellen White proposed and Adventist church embraced. The Adventist
philosophy of physical development is grounded on useful work, leading to the
learning of a skill, developing a purpose in life. Again to quote Ellen White: "Useful
manual labor is a part of the gospel plan”. The body, mind, and the soul become
the objective of true education.

Manual Training

Many of the branches of study that consume the student's time are not essential to
usefulness or happiness; but it is essential for every youth to have a thorough
acquaintance with everyday duties.

If need be, a young woman can dispense with a knowledge of French and algebra, or
even of the piano; but it is indispensable that she learn to make good bread, to
fashion neatly-fitting garments, and to perform efficiently the many duties that
pertain to homemaking.
To the health and happiness of the whole family nothing is more vital than skill and
intelligence on the part of the cook. By ill-prepared, unwholesome food she may

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hinder and even ruin both the adult's usefulness and the child's development. Or by
providing food adapted to the needs of the body, and at the same time inviting and
palatable, she can accomplish as much in the right as otherwise she accomplishes in
the wrong direction.To make a bed and put a room in order, to wash dishes, to
prepare a meal, to wash and repair his own clothing, is a training that need not make
any boy less manly, it will make him happier and more useful.

"The benefit of manual training is needed also by professional men. A man may have a
brilliant mind; he may be quick to catch ideas; his knowledge and skill may secure for
him admission to his chosen calling; yet he may still be far from possessing a fitness
for its duties. An education derived chiefly from books leads to superficial thinking.
Practical work encourages close observation and independent thought. Rightly
performed, it tends to develop that practical wisdom which we call common sense. It
develops the ability to plan and execute, strengthens courage and perseverance, and
calls for the exercise of tact and skill" As a rule, the exercise most beneficial to the
youth will be found in useful employment.
The youth need to be taught that life means earnest work, responsibility, caretaking.
They need training that will make them practical—men and women who can cope with
emergencies. They should be taught that the discipline of systematic, well-regulated
labor is essential, not only as a safeguard against the vicissitudes of life, but as an aid
to all-around development.
Jesus was a model workman.Faithfully and cheerfully He did His part in helping to
support the family. As soon as He was old enough, He learned a trade and worked in
the carpenter’s shop with Joseph.By His example He taught that we ought to be
industrious, that we should do our work carefully and well. His life showed that work
is honorable. All should find something to do that will be helpful to themselves and
others. God gave us work as a blessing. It makes Him happy when children cheerfully
take their part in household tasks and share the burdens of father and mother. Such
children will leave home to be a blessing to others.

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The Many Sides of Work
Work. One syllable in English, yet it has many possible meanings. Out of necessity, we
work to put food on our tables, pay the bills, and save a little for hard times. Losing
a job is often worse than putting up with a poor work situation.

Work can give a person a sense of worth. Work is a common way to answer the
question “What do you do?” or even “What are you?” Most retirees continue to work
part-time as long as they are able, whether for pay or as a volunteer. A job offers a
reason for getting up in the morning. Give a teenager a job, and there’s one fewer
candidate for delinquency.

Why work?

Being in work:

> keeps us busy, challenges us and gives us the means to develop ourselves;

> gives us a sense of pride, identity and personal achievement;

> enables us to socialise, build contacts and find support;

> provides us with money to support ourselves and explore our interests.

Today work, particularly physical work, is considered as one of toil, weariness, and
hardship.For some, work means only the drudgery of daily toil. In fact, in many
countries, the type of work defines the social status of the individual. But this was not
the case in the beginning when God created this world. God Himself sanctified work
by creating the universe. Even before humans worked, God worked.

Work is apparently a natural and necessary part of man’s life. The concepts that it is
only for slaves or that one should not expect the rich and influential to labor are
false. Idleness can lead only to ill-health, boredom, and crime. In contrast, honest
work can lead to respect in the community and a feeling of well-being.

The work of our Hands

God has given us “the work of our hands” so that we can find fulfillment and joy . In
psychology, “self-efficacy” describes the belief that every person has the ability to

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accomplish something meaningful in life. Self-efficacy is not increased by repeating,
“I think I can! I think I can!” Only actually doing something increases self-efficacy.

While “the work of our hands” is God’s blessing to us and allows us to live a
meaningful life, God’s ultimate plan is that “the work of our hands” would bless
others.We must work, doing something useful with our hands, so that we may have
something to share with others.

Work and Excellence

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (Eccles. 9:10, NKJV).

We are called to do all things “for the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31). That includes
working or anything else good that our “hand finds to do.” We should live this life to
the full in the presence of God, filling every minute here on earth with meaningful
activity.Why do anything in a mediocre way? Wise people say, “If it is worth doing, it
is worth doing right.” Add to that, “If it is worth doing, it is worth giving your very
best.” Some people have a way of rationalizing mediocre work because people in
today’s culture are plagued by a sense of entitlement. The thinking is that unless you
give me this much reward, I will only give you this much effort. But that is not the
way God intended his people to operate. Rather, being like him, we should seek to be
excellent in our efforts, trusting God for the results. Whatever our situation, we must
learn to put work in its proper perspective.With God, sloppy work is not accepted!

When one is truly effective at work, he manages his time well, communicates
clearly, and has a good attitude. Effective workers are often the most respected and
the most productive in their workplaces.

God expects us always to perform at our best, putting our talents, skills, time, and
education to good use for great causes.

Prepared by: Cabasag, Rubie C., MM, LPT

Conclusion

Work education may be seen by some as an irrelevant waste of time. But anyone who
subscribes to biblical priorities and Adventist philosophy of education as defined by
Ellen White cannot subscribe to such a view. Just as faith is essential for the
development of the spiritual life, just as development of academic skills are essential
for the development of the mind, so is work education important for the development
of the physical. The body, mind, and the soul become the objective of true
education. Their harmonious development is one value that Adventist education
cannot afford to neglect. Leave one out, we have an incomplete education. Have all
three, and provide emphasis for all, we have a holistic education.

References:

Uyeda, M. (2005).THE ADVENTIST CONCEPT OF WORK EDUCATION: ITS

IMPLEMENTATION AT HIROSHIMA ADVENTIST ACADEMY, JAPAN
.https://christintheclassroom.org/vol_33/33cc_347-362.pdf

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Geraty , T. (1993). WORK EXPERIENCE EDUCATION FOR SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES IN THE 21st CENTURY:
https://christintheclassroom.org/vol_10/10cc_187-203.htm

SDA Sabbath School Lesson. (2020). The Christian and Work:

https://ssnet.org/lessons/20d/less11.html

Coy, G. (1987). MANUAL TRAINING: IT’S ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM:
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1849&context=etd

Prepared by: Cabasag, Rubie C., MM, LPT