Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 6
He confesses that as a young person he treated parental and church counsel as “negotiable” and “conditional” based on how respected he felt; where do you notice yourself doing a similar “conditional submission,” and how does that expose pride or self-protection?
Another way to ask: Where do you only listen to parents or church leaders when you feel respected or agree with them, and what does that show about pride or trying to protect yourself?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The speaker’s confession suggests “conditional submission” happens when we only accept counsel from people who affirm us or treat us the way we want, and we dismiss others as not worth hearing. That exposes pride and self-protection because it keeps us in control and makes teachability depend on our ego rather than on God’s wisdom.
- He admits he was “very independent” and treated parental instruction as “negotiable.”
- He says his submission to older men was “conditioned basically to how they treated me.”
- If he felt liked, he could take “a little bit” of advice—otherwise, he resisted.
- He connects the result to inner turmoil: “confusion and frustration… as a result of this pride and self-sufficiency.”
- He takes responsibility: “I put the responsibility on myself,” urging young people to “own these principles.”