Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 9
The speaker argues we learn pride through childhood praise, honor rolls, patriotism (Superman’s “American way,” the Pledge of Allegiance), and even church identity claims (“one true church,” “forefront of God’s kingdom”); which of those forms of pride feels most “normal” to you, and what would repentance look like in concrete terms rather than just a new opinion?
Another way to ask: Which kind of pride feels most normal to you—school success, patriotism, or church identity? What would real repentance look like in actions, not just changing your opinion?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript suggests many forms of pride feel “normal” because we absorbed them early through praise, education, national identity, and religious identity. Repentance, as the speaker defines it, must be concrete—changing mind, actions, and allegiance—plus daily prayer for grace and deliberate “unlearning” of the world’s spirit.
- He says pride is learned when young through praise: children get the message, “look how neat I am.”
- William Law: “The first temper… in children is pride… puff up their minds.”
- Personal example: he loved seeing his name on the “honor roll,” even in the newspaper; he repeats similar pressure in college.
- Patriotism examples: Superman theme “truth, justice, and the American way,” and the Pledge of Allegiance as instilling “a ton of pride.”
- Church pride examples: “one true church,” “most biblical,” “forefront of God’s kingdom.”
- He defines repentance as “changing our mind, changing our actions, changing our loyalty… allegiance,” and says overcoming pride is a “daily practice” with prayer.