Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 7
The teacher’s childhood/parenting observations (“That’s not fair… I wanted it too”) and William Law’s quote about training kids in “glory, Envy, and the desire of distinction” confront how we educate and praise children; what specific parenting or church-culture habits today subtly disciple children into rivalry and vainglory rather than contentment and love?
Another way to ask: What parenting habits or church-culture habits today train kids to compete for attention and praise instead of learning contentment and love? What are some specific examples you’ve seen?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript suggests children are subtly discipled into envy when adults repeatedly reward being “better than others,” constantly compare, and stir “glory” and “distinction” as key motivations. Parenting and church culture can unintentionally train kids to chase praise, compete for attention, and feel “it’s not fair” whenever someone else is honored.
- He describes early envy in kids: “Someone gets a new toy… ‘That’s not fair. I wanted it too… you got something that I don’t have.’”
- In school, praise can feed comparison: kids learn “I do well. I get praised… Do I want to be better than my peer?”
- He says youth receive steady training: “better than your neighbor… better than your classmate… better than the previous generation. What does that promote? Envy.”
- William Law: adults “stir them up… from glory, Envy, and the desire of distinction… excel others and shine in the eyes of the world.”
- Law adds this becomes “duty” to be “proud, envious, and vainglorious.”
- A brother in discussion notes parenting difficulty: teaching contentment is hard, and children may mirror “my own lack of contentment.”