Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 8
The teacher’s “house/builder/bricks” illustration shifted so that believers become the “bricks” (members) and God (possibly the whole Trinity) becomes the builder of the church; how does viewing yourself as raw material in a building project confront modern individualism and “self-made” Christian identity?
Another way to ask: If Christians are like bricks and God is the builder of the church, how does that challenge an individualistic, “self-made” way of thinking about being a Christian?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the speaker’s illustration, seeing yourself as a “brick” confronts self-made Christianity by placing you as dependent material within a larger work God is building, not the independent builder of your own spiritual life. It also lowers human boasting: even highly honored figures like Moses are still “a brick,” while Jesus stands above as creator and builder.
- The speaker sets the elements: “creator…man, the builder…the house…and…the bricks (implicitly).”
- He notes the key shift: “whose house we are,” so “the house…becomes the church.”
- Then “man goes from being the builder…to being the members,” and members become “the raw materials.”
- His blunt summary: “man goes from being the builder of the house down to being the bricks of the church.”
- Builder of the church: he cites Jesus, “I will build my church,” and concludes “the entire Trinity may be involved…for conversation’s sake…God.”
- Moses’ place: “A highly esteemed…brick, still a brick.”