Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 3
The “fish doesn’t know he’s wet” illustration is used to describe how Christians can assume “that’s just the way it is” because it’s all they’ve experienced—what “wet” assumptions about grace, obedience, church life, or the Christian’s relationship to sin have you realized only after exposure to church history or the teachings of Jesus?
Another way to ask: What “this is just normal” ideas about grace, obedience, church life, or sin did you only question after learning church history or listening closely to Jesus’ teachings?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript suggests “wet” assumptions include believing Christianity is mainly correct beliefs, expecting God to change you without your devoted obedience, and treating ongoing sin as normal because “Jesus covers it” regardless of repentance. Exposure to history (early church vs. later shifts) helps a person realize these assumptions weren’t “from the beginning.”
- He uses the illustration explicitly: “Does the fish know he’s wet?… we… think… that’s just the way it is because that’s all we’ve ever experienced.”
- He says he’s “realizing more and more… how many different things are wet,” as he gets “dried off.”
- He contrasts early measure (obedient life) with later measure: “right belief terminology… whether or not he was following Jesus.”
- He critiques a common mindset: “It’s all what God does… people say, ‘Well, I'm waiting for God to change me.’”
- He challenges “sin-covering” Christianity: the message saturating America that “we’re all just sinners… and it doesn’t matter how you live,” instead of people who “repent and begin to change.”