How to implement the following recommendations in the age of the internet and smartphones is a question worth investigating right from the start when reading.

What should our children read? A serious question that deserves a serious answer. It worries me that in Sabbath-keeping families I see magazines and newspapers with serials that, unfortunately, do not have a good influence on the thinking of children and youth. I have observed those who have acquired a taste for "beautiful" literature in this way. Although they have been allowed to hear the truth and learn the reasons for our faith, as they grow older, true godliness, applied fear of God, and devotion do not show in their lives. They reflect no heavenly light through which their friends would find the source of all true knowledge.

In the first years of life, the child's mind is most receptive to impressions, good or bad. During these years he makes great strides in the wrong or right direction. Either he collects a lot of useless information, or acquires a lot of good and valuable knowledge. A keen mind and extensive knowledge cannot be bought with gold from Ophir. They cost more than gold and silver.

However, young people do not embark on the educational path that prepares them for practical life on their own. They want to do whatever they want. They go by what they like, by their likes and inclinations. However, when parents have a proper understanding of God and truth, when they discern what influences and friendships are good for their children, they will feel responsible before God for lovingly showing the unskilled young the way.

Many young people are bookworms. They read everything they can get their hands on. I appeal to their parents: channel their hunger for reading! Do not leave magazines and newspapers with love stories on your tables! Replace them with books that provide youth with the very best material for character development: love of God, fear of God, and knowledge of Jesus. Encourage your children to fill their minds with valuable knowledge, engage in what is good, and use their mental abilities in such a way that there is no room for bad, degrading thoughts! Curb cravings for reading that is not good for the mind! Even if novel magazines don't cost much, there's no point in spending money on something so misleading and shoddy. Those who are in the service of God should invest neither time nor money in useless reading material.

lust for evil

The world is flooded with books that are better destroyed than spread. Young people would do well never to read books with sensational subjects that are published and marketed for profit. These books have a satanic fascination. The haunting accounts of crimes and atrocities exert an enchanting power on many. They feel like trying out for themselves what they can do to draw attention to themselves, even if it is through the most malicious deeds. The monstrosities, cruelties and lewd practices depicted in some of the purely historical works leaven the mind and lead to similar acts. Books that describe people's satanic behavior ultimately promote evil. Do you have to relive those horrific details and keep the memory alive? No one who believes in the truth for this time should be involved. For when the mind is fed and stimulated with this bad food, the thoughts become impure and sensual.

Dreamer in an imaginary world

There are other literary genres that, despite the good morals that the author may add to them, become a bane on every reader: love stories as well as witty, cheeky and exciting stories. Religious statements are often woven into these books. However, in most cases Satan has only wrapped himself in an angelic robe to deceive and seduce the naive. The habit of reading stories is a satanic means of soul destruction. It creates unhealthy apparent tension, fuels the imagination, blocks constructive thought, and makes all spiritual effort impossible. It drives the reader out of prayer and love of spiritual things.
Readers of frivolous and exciting tales become unfit for the tasks of practical life. They live in a make-believe world. I have observed children who were regularly allowed to read such stories. Whether at home or abroad, they were always restless, dreamy and incapable of real conversation, except on very general subjects. Religious thoughts and conversations were completely foreign to them. Food that satisfies the craving for sensational stories spoils the taste so much that the mind can only be satisfied with this unhealthy food. I can think of no more appropriate name for such readers than alcoholic. This is because excessive reading habits have a similar effect on the brain as excessive eating and drinking habits have on the body.

Those who give in to the habit of devouring an exciting story in a hurry paralyze their mental powers and are no longer able to think and research dynamically...
There are men and women who, in old age, never recover from the effects of excessive reading. The habit formed in early years became greater with their growth and stronger with their increasing strength. Their determined efforts to overcome the sin of mind abuse met with partial success. But they could never quite regain the spiritual strength that God had once given them.

doubts about the truth

Another source of danger to be constantly wary of is the literature of authors who have become atheists or hostile to biblical beliefs. Her works are inspired by the enemy of truth. No one can read them without endangering their souls. While some consumers may eventually recover, all those who play with fire are stepping onto Satan's soil, which Satan knows how to take advantage of. Since they invite his temptations, they also lack the wisdom to recognize them or the strength to resist them. Unbelief and ungodliness take root in the heart with fascinating, enchanting power.

We are constantly surrounded by unbelief. The atmosphere itself seems electrified by it. Only through constant effort can we resist this power. Those who value their salvation will avoid the works of atheistic authors in the same way that these authors would avoid a leper.

Claim the ground

The best way to prevent the growth of evil is to cover the ground with plants. instead of your children Robinson Crusoe or to recommend fascinating stories from real life such as Uncle Tom's cabin, open the Scriptures to them, and spend some time each day reading and studying God's Word! Mental taste is refined only through good instruction and the best education. When parents begin early to unfold the Scriptures to their children's growing minds, proper thought patterns can be formed.

Leave no stone unturned to teach proper study habits! If the spirit wanders, call it back! When one's intellectual and moral tastes have been so tainted by over-the-top and exciting fiction that one has no desire to use one's wits, one must fight valiantly to break the habit. An outspoken love of fiction, however, was to be overcome immediately. Fixed rules keep the mind on the right track.

It is amazing how similar an uncultivated field and an untrained mind are. The enemy sows weeds in the minds of children and young people. If the parents are not careful, the weeds will sprout and bear bad fruit. But with ceaseless care, one can till the soil of the heart and sow it with the precious seed of Bible truth. Teaches children to reject cheap and exciting narratives and turn to sensible literature that stimulates an interest in Bible history, Bible world history, and Bible argument! Literature that sheds light on the Holy Book and awakens a desire to study it is not dangerous but profitable.

The Sabbath School

Sabbath School offers parents and children an opportunity to study the Word of God. The greatest benefit of Sabbath school is when both parents and children take the time to study the lesson book so that the facts presented there and the spiritual teachings associated with them are well understood. Above all, teach the young people the importance of searching for the deep meaning of the scriptures they are studying!

Dear parents, set aside a little time each day to study the Sabbath School theme with your children! It is better to give up the chat hour at XY than the hour in which you always study sacred history! Both parents and children will benefit from this degree. Memorize the more important passages of Scripture that pertain to the theme of the week! But don't make it a duty, but a voluntary privilege! Though the memory may be lacking at first, it will improve with practice until, after a time, you will find real pleasure in thus hoarding up the words of truth. In addition, this habit will prove to be an extremely valuable aid to spiritual growth.

The family reading circle

Where is our people's lively interest in the health work to which we are called? In fact, you can already prepare yourself for your assignment through the literature that has been prepared as a guide for us in this area. Those who study and practice the principles of right living will be greatly blessed both physically and spiritually. And those who understand the philosophy of health are protected from many evil influences, which are increasing day by day.

Dear fathers and mothers, get as much help as possible by studying our books and publications! Take time to read to your children from health books and books that deal specifically with matters of faith! Make them aware of the importance of taking care of the body - the house they live in! Set up a reading circle in your home where everyone in the family can take a break from their busy lives and study together! Young people who have gotten used to reading novels and cheap short stories will benefit most from this evening family study.

The Bible

However, take a lot of time to read the Bible – the book of books! Daily study of the Scriptures sanctifies and draws thoughts up. Bind the Holy Book to your heart! It will prove to be a friend and guide in times of need.
Unfortunately, both old and young neglect the Bible. They don't study it and don't base their lives on it. Young people in particular are to blame here. Most of them find enough time to read other books. However, they do not study the book that points the way to eternal life every day. They read trivial stories attentively, but neglect the Bible. This book leads us to a higher and holier life. If young people's imaginations were not spoiled by reading made-up stories, they would call the Bible the most interesting book they have ever read.

The young spirit develops optimally only when it drinks constantly from the highest source of wisdom - the Word of God. That we live in God's world, in the presence of the Creator; that we are made in his image, that he watches over us, that he loves and cares for us - these are all wonderful subjects for reflection, taking the mind to vast and lofty realms. Anyone who deals with such topics in spirit and heart will never again be content with shallow, sensational subjects.

How essential it is to strive for a thorough knowledge of the Holy Scriptures can hardly be appreciated. "All Scripture is inspired by God...to make you wise unto salvation...that the man of God may be fully prepared, fully equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3,15:17-XNUMX). That is why the Bible deserves our reverent attention. A superficial knowledge is not enough. Let's search for the full meaning of the words of truth! Let us drink to the fullest the spirit of the Holy Pronouncements!

Shortened from: Counsels to Teachers, Parents and Students, Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association (1913), pp. 132-139