Building Blocks

Read: Ephesians 2:19-22

“Hey, Blaine, what are you working on?” Dad asked as he walked into Blaine’s room.

“I’m making a building out of interlocking blocks for the library contest,” Blaine said. “If I post a picture on their website, I could win a free meal at a local restaurant.” Suddenly, he frowned. “Hey, where’s my baseplate? Can you help me find it, Dad? It’s the big flat one that I have to build on to make sure the structure won’t tip over.”

“All right.” Dad kneeled and began to look through the chest of blocks. He pulled out a large flat piece like Blaine had described. “Is this it?”

“Yeah! Thanks, Dad.”

“Do you mind if I build something too? I loved playing with blocks like this when I was younger.” Blaine nodded. “Sure.”

“I think I’ll build a minivan like ours.” Dad began looking for black blocks to use for the tires. “So, did you finish reading this week’s Bible passage for Sunday school?”

“I started, but I don’t really understand it. It talks about something being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ being the cornerstone.”

“It’s talking about the church,” Dad explained. “Everyone who joins the church by trusting in Jesus is an important part of it.” He pointed at the blocks Blaine was attaching to his building. “It’s like those blocks. Imagine if you only got one block in a set! You wouldn’t be able to build a complete car, or building, or much of anything with one block. But when you have many blocks that fit together perfectly, you can build a structure that is complete.”

“So, are we the blocks?” Blaine asked.

“Yes! Christians make up the church the way your blocks make up the building you’re working on. And just like your baseplate, Jesus is the base of our church. It’s built on what He did to save us from sin—His death and resurrection. Like blocks that connect together, we are connected through the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us and is shaping us to be more like Jesus.”

Blaine nodded. “I think I understand better now. And I’m finished with my building!”

“All right. I’ll take a picture,” Dad said. “I can already taste that free meal!”

–Jessica Kleeberger

How about you? Have you ever built something with interlocking blocks? If so, you know how much fun it is to see a bunch of tiny pieces come together to form a complete creation. The church is the same way! Each Christian belongs to the church and has a part to play in what God is building on the foundation set by Jesus. His Spirit lives in us and works through us so others can see Jesus’s love.

Today's Key Verse: In [Jesus] you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:22 (NKJV)

Today's Key Thought: The church is built on Jesus