Podcast
Dive In Dig Deep
Hosted by Aaron Lee | @diveindigdeep · EN
Christian bookstagram dad.
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Children's Ministry Mission Fields: Target Demographics
Apr 1200:01:33Tap to summarizeI had a quick conversation with a 1st grade student at Awana on Friday night, sort of on the side, and it all happened really fast:Student: I can do 4th grade math.Me: 4th grade math, wow! How did you learn that?Student: My parents want me to learn. They said that they want me to get ahead. They said that it will be hard now so it can be easier later. They said if I don’t want to work at McDonalds, and if I want to be the owner of 10 companies, then I will need to work hard now.Me: Wow, how does that make you feel?Student: I wonder what’s so bad about being in the middle.Me: That’s a good question. You should ask your parents that. Do your parents go to our church?Student: My parents are Buddhist. I only come on Friday nights. On Sundays I have piano and tennis lessons.Me: Are you a Christian? Do you believe in Jesus?Student: I don’t know if I believe in Jesus or if I believe in the Chinese Jade Emperor.Me: We’re going to learn more about Jesus tonight. I hope that you come to trust and believe in Jesus.And then our conversation was cut short. I hope to follow up with this student. In many ways, this student fits our target demographic. The children’s ministry mission field harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Would you please say a quick prayer for this student and our children’s ministry workers?
Transcribe →Around the Table: Connected Together
Apr 1100:00:55Tap to summarizeI was having lunch with some coworkers earlier this week, sharing stories, hanging out. My friend was telling us about some of his past and I was so shocked that I said out loud we had very different childhoods growing up! Our work at the hospital is a very weak common denominator amongst us all.My church is very monocultural. Don’t get me wrong — I’m grateful for our church. But if you go out into the surrounding cities, you’ll meet different people.I pray and long for the day when we will sit together at the marriage supper of the lamb, sharing stories, hanging out. And no doubt, there we will have different childhoods — but the strong and saving blood of Christ will connect us all together forever.
Transcribe →Not Many of You Should Become Teachers: The Savior's Standard
Apr 1000:01:44Tap to summarize3 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. (James 3:1)Previously, I wrote about James and Jesus, and today I want to share some related thoughts about this famous passage from James. He writes that not many of you should become teachers. This is a general warning addressed to everyone, but especially to those who seek to elevate themselves to this important position in the church.What interests me is the weight this carries coming from James. James was a prominent figure in the faith, working alongside Paul, Peter, and John. He would have known the apostles’ teaching firsthand, and he was careful to make clarifications, distinctions, and nuances in his own writing concerning the relationship between faith and works.The Savior’s StandardRelated to this theme of faith and works, what fascinates me most is that James didn’t just write about lived-out faith—he witnessed it firsthand. He grew up with Jesus and saw Him even before His ministry. He knew how Jesus lived His life—holy and pure, blameless before God.For teachers today, the message is clear: the standard to both teach sound doctrine and live out the faith is high, in public and in private. The standard is Christ Himself. James knew this firsthand, and he wanted to make sure that we follow in step with the Savior.
Transcribe →Money is Not the Measure: Happy with Cardboard Houses
Apr 1000:00:53Tap to summarizeOne of my biggest problems is feeling like I always need to be productive. And by productive, I mean doing things that lead to making money.I was playing with my daughter, building a house out of cardboard boxes.And I realized that, by monetary standards, I wasn’t being productive, but I was happy. I felt full and satisfied.On a deeper level, it felt like an eternal investment, tending the home of my daughter’s heart.For the Christian, money is not the measure of a rich and rewarding life. That kind of life isn’t earned—it’s given: a life spent loving God and others.
Transcribe →Why Take Children's Questions? Helping Understanding
Apr 800:01:10Tap to summarizeThree reasons why I carve out the time to answer questions from the children at my church:Kids are curious — and I think that’s a good thing. Allowing them to ask questions normalizes curious minds and I think this is one way to cultivate good habits for future and more mature Bible study.I want them to remember that God has answers to their questions. This is more of a long play, but when they grow up I hope it somehow gets into their minds that they were allowed to ask questions and we were able to give answers.It’s fun and challenging for me! I genuinely have a good time hearing what is on their minds, especially immediately after the message. It’s helpful and encouraging for me to interact and engage with them and just talk to them directly about what they want to know about God and the Bible.
Transcribe →James and Jesus: Brotherly Love
Apr 700:02:39Tap to summarizeJames was Jesus’ half brother, and he probably thought that Jesus was out of his mind.JamesWhat must it have been like to be the half brother of Jesus? Growing up together, playing, doing chores, hanging out, running errands, talking. James was so close to Him, yet he did not believe. At one point, even Jesus’ family was saying, “He is out of His mind” (Mark 3:21). Those nearest to Him did not yet understand who He truly was. They thought he was crazy. But they still cared for him and wanted to get his attention (Mark 3:31).We are not told everything James thought or felt. Scripture does not say whether he was jealous or resentful, or how he responded to the attention Jesus received. Even with the cross, the Gospels do not tell us whether he was there or how he responded to Jesus’ suffering and death. Like many others, he may not have fully understood what was happening.James likely thought Jesus was mistaken or misguided, yet he was still his brother. I think he still loved him as a brother. But everything changed after the resurrection.JesusJesus appeared to James (1 Corinthians 15:7). The one he had once misunderstood, he now saw clearly. James would go on to become a leader in the church and later give his life as a martyr. He no longer related to Jesus merely as a brother, but as “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1).For the Christian with unbelieving family and friends, this gives us hope. Even those who are closest to us may not believe. They may misunderstand or even reject what is true. They might think we’re crazy. But that is not the end of the story. Faith does not come merely through family, friendship, or intellectual familiarity. It comes through the risen Christ making Himself known, opening eyes, and transforming hearts. And in the end, the One James once thought was out of His mind became the Lord he loved with all his mind — and heart. He was not only his brother according to the flesh, but his true Brother of faith in the family of God, by the blood of Christ.
Transcribe →Resurrection Songs: Three reasons why I'm glad I get to lead worship music on Easter Sunday.
Apr 500:01:10Tap to summarizeEaster Sunday is a big deal! We’ve had emails going back and forth with last minute prep and you can feel the excitement. Even with the extra work that comes with serving, here are three reasons why I’m glad I get to lead music on Easter Sunday:Easter Sunday is the most important day on the Christian calendar. Yes, more important than Christmas!Easter Sunday is the top worship service attended during the year — at least according to some articles lol. Yes, Christmas is also debated for the win haha.And the third reason is a bit more personal, but it’s when I get to sing about something I’ve been preaching about and living for the entire year. There’s something special about singing — where speaking, teaching, or even preaching won’t cut it — you have to sing about it. And this Sunday, I get to do just that.I’m leading music this Easter Sunday! Would you please say a quick prayer for me?
Transcribe →Confession and Expression: Love and Devotion
Apr 300:00:55Tap to summarize38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. (John 19:38-40)I can only imagine what was going through Joseph and Nicodemus’ minds as they buried Jesus. So much pain, so much sorrow, so many emotions mingled together.Many believe that by this point, these two rich and powerful men were no longer afraid to be associated with Him. It seems they were searching for a way to express and confess their love and devotion—without fear, and in the light.Like them, I want my love and faith to be visible, not hidden or afraid. And if this was their love when they thought He was gone, I can only imagine the boldness they showed when they discovered that Christ was no longer dead.
Transcribe →Talking to Children About Free Will: Helping Understanding
Apr 300:01:28Tap to summarizeI received an excellent question about free will after my children’s sermon on Sunday. Here is my rationale for answering the way I did, and I hope that writing this out will help me answer better next time:Questions about free will are ultimately questions about our sovereignty. I aim to show that we are not sovereign (we do not have the power, control, or abilities to do whatever we want) then I can get the children thinking along the correct lines.Instead of examining actions, I hope to show that it is what is inside our hearts that should be of concern, and the Bible says that we are slaves to sin. Only Christ can free us from our slavery to sin so we can have hearts that are free to love God as we should.I don’t want to diminish the fact that we are responsible for our actions. The Bible is clear that we must all respond to the gospel, and believers must walk in step with the Spirit. God is not to be blamed for sin. We have the privilege of partnering with God and his providence.Taking on the children’s questions is exciting and fun for me — but it’s also something I cannot take lightly. I want my answers to be sharp and assuring for the children.
Transcribe →Ministry Methods: Convictions and Resolutions
Apr 200:01:16Tap to summarizeHere are some brief thoughts on my current ministry methods. These are my personal convictions and resolutions: Any ministry I do must be founded and overflowing from my own personal devotions and walk with God. I believe my primary ministry is to my family. To be a husband and father is an immediate calling and it must be prioritized. This includes how I care, guide, and provide for them. I am blessed with the opportunity to serve the church locally (at my home church in person) and globally (with my online work). I would like to steward both well. Serving my local church takes precedence, and my local church is not a platform to perform for the global church. I am happy if what I do for the local church can bless and serve the global church.My ministry and service is not my identity. My worth is not in what I do. If it were all to be taken away, and when I am at home with the Lord, Christ is all.
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