Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 8
She argues seekers get discouraged when people can’t explain why they practice things (covering, no buttons, hook-and-eye), and “we’ve always done it this way” feels empty; what does God deserve from His people regarding understanding and conviction, and how might churches unintentionally train the next generation to treat obedience as tradition instead of truth?
Another way to ask: Why does God deserve more than “we’ve always done it this way” when it comes to practices like coverings or clothing rules? How might churches accidentally teach kids to follow traditions without knowing the truth behind them?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript suggests God deserves obedience with understood, scriptural conviction—not empty habit—so believers can give a real reason for their practices. Churches train the next generation toward “tradition instead of truth” when they answer questions with “we’ve always done it this way” and can’t explain the “why.”
- She says seekers need to know “why we do what we do,” even if the reason is “obscure historical background.”
- She criticizes the answer: “we do it because that’s the way we’ve always done it… that’s not a good excuse.”
- Example: no buttons/hook-and-eye possibly tied to not identifying with the military—“at least given a reason” is better than none.
- Covering example: some women ask “why do you cover?” and are told, “they don’t know… they just always have,” which is “confusing.”
- She connects this to youth leaving: “waves of young people leaving… because they don’t know why… ‘this other denomination… why would I stay here where there’s so many demands?’”