Daniel N. Lee

We have begun to record our Wednesday night class series and publishing them online! You can subscribe to our podcast on iTunes (“Mitchell Church of Christ”) or follow this link: http://www.sermoncloud.com/mitchellcofc/

Here are the classes from the past few weeks:

Gideon: http://www.sermoncloud.com/mitchellcofc/gideon/

Ruth: http://www.sermoncloud.com/mitchellcofc/ruth/

Abigail: http://www.sermoncloud.com/mitchellcofc/abigail/

David & Bathsheba: http://www.sermoncloud.com/mitchellcofc/david-and-bathsheba/

Or easiest of all, download our App from the App Store and listen to sermons and classes directly in the App! Search Mitchell Church of Christ IN

Read Gideon’s full story in Judges 6-8.





Have you ever felt yourself go into “survival mode”? When was that? How did that make you feel?


This is something I am constantly wrestling with. My personality is such that I like to get things done. I am often prone to taking on more than I can really handle. And it gets to the point that I’m just going from one project to the next without giving any of it much thought. It’s really easy for me to get caught up in the details of day-to-day “survival” to the point that I lose sight of the end goal.
It’s in times like that I have to hit the reset button. I have to take a step back and look at the big picture. Why am I doing these things? To what end? When we first see Gideon, he has no big picture in mind. He’s just doing what he has to do to survive. It take courage and intentionality to keep your end goal in mind. For me, if I’m going to move forward and not just tread water, I’ve got to be focused on the larger goal of disciple making. If the things I’m doing aren’t building disciples, then I’m doing it wrong. God’s plans are always bigger than our own. Gideon got that wake up call. And most weeks I need it, too.


Have you ever asked God for a sign? Did he give you one or not? How do you know?


Generally speaking, I don’t go through life looking for signs all around me. I don’t know that God has much to do with where I should eat or what I should wear or what my schedule for the day should include. However, on the bigger decisions I believe God has almost always given me a clear sign. I haven’t always asked for them, but God gives them anyway.
For instance, I felt God’s call to youth ministry stronger than I’ve ever felt him before or since. And with both of my full-time ministry jobs (both in Illinois and here in Indiana), God has made it clear through a series of seemingly unrelated events. They seemed coincidental at the time, but clearly it was God working in the situations to take us where we needed to be. I’ve found in my life that when God gives me some kind of sign, it cannot be ignored!


Read James 1:13-15 again. How could success actually be dangerous for you? Have you ever experienced that cycle in your life?


As a minister, I know that we are especially vulnerable to the temptations of success. Just look around at headlines across the country that keep popping up. Pastor after pastor fall from grace because of matters related to success, wealth, fame, and power. Deep down I want to be successful at what I do. But I know that if I try to make it happen on my own, that success will be hollow. Unless I am following God’s lead, there is a real danger in being dragged out with the current of cultural success into places I never could imagine. Would I like to make more money, have a bigger house, lead hundreds of students in weekly Bible studies, and get a contracted book deal from a major publisher? Sure! That sounds awesome! But…unless God leads me into those things, I’m setting myself up for even bigger failure. Desire is not neutral. Unless our sole desire is to do the will of God, then all other desires are evil and can drag us down to ruin and destruction before we even know what’s happening.
For Gideon, his success, power, and fame were his downfall. I do not want the same to be said for me.

You can read Deborah’s story in Judges 4-5.





1. Are you a leader (Deborah), a follower (Barak), or a rebel (Jael)? How does God use all three types of people?


I see myself mostly as a leader, but I am often a follower, too. I am rarely ever a rebel, taking matters into my own hands. I feel like I have always taken on the responsibility of leading. I enjoy what I do, and I try to use the gifts God has blessed me with to lead his people well. However, there are plenty of times when I am happy to let others take the lead. I can relate to Barak quite a bit when he didn’t want to step out in faith without the presence of Deborah beside him. But I think that good leaders should also make good followers. We can’t be in control all the time. We need to delegate tasks, we need to be held accountable, and we need others to step up and take charge occasionally.

I think it’s quite clear that God uses all three types of people in his kingdom regularly. I think we are all called to be followers, but followers of Jesus are also supposed to lead others to him. In the kingdom it’s called servant leadership. The last shall be first and the first shall be last. Whoever wants to be great must become the servant of all. But…we also need rebels on occasion. We need those people like MLK, St. Francis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and even Paul, who are willing to go against the norms of society, even against the status quo of the church, and usher in real change and transformation.

2. Read Ephesians 6:12 & 1 Peter 5:8-9. Who are our enemies today? How are we supposed to fight against them?


The New Testament makes it clear that “our battle is not against flesh and blood.” In other words, if we encounter a living, breathing, human being – that person is not our enemy. The true enemy is evil itself – the devil, the corrupt powers and systems of oppression, the insidious ideas and rhetoric of hate and division. God’s people must fight against these enemies by standing firm in the faith, by loving radically, by self-sacrifice, by putting our trust in God and not the “lesser-evil” of systems.

3. What do you think Deborah would say to God’s people today?


I think she would tell us to stop focusing on things that don’t matter. We are in a war. Not culture wars, not worship wars, not mommy wars, but a war between the kingdom of God and the powers of darkness. Distraction is a tactic of the enemy. Fear, worry, complacency – these are his weapons. But God is on our side. He has gone out before us and guaranteed us the victory. The battle is not against flesh and blood, and it cannot be won by traditional weapons of war. We have the greatest weapon on our side – the unconditional, overwhelming love of God. The glory will not go to the mighty, to the swift, to the clever. The glory will go to the least of these, to the one who lays down his life for his friends, to the one who loves his enemy to the point that his enemy becomes his friend. Stop arguing with each other, stop obsessing over Twitter and Facebook. This is war, soldier. Get busy loving.

Here’s the highlight reel from our trip to Winterfest in Gatlinburg, TN. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of students and adults to work with. Thanks for an awesome trip!

You can read Rahab’s story in Joshua 2.

1. Can you think of an instance when it would take courage to show kindness to someone?


Due to the political state in our nation right now – the divide between liberal and conservative, left and right, democrat and republican – it takes courage to show kindness to those on the “other side of the aisle.” For some reason it has now become a political statement to show kindness to illegal (or legal!) immigrants and refugees. It is seen as a political issue to show kindness and compassion towards those in the LGBTQ community. If we as a church began welcoming these people in with open arms, we could be ostracized from our entire faith community. But if there is one thing Scripture is clear on, we are to show love and kindness to EVERYONE – we are all neighbors.

2. Read 1 Corinthians 6:8-11. How do you treat your past mistakes? Do you forget them or embrace them? Why does it matter?


I tend to want to forget my past mistakes. Who I am is not who I was. I would rather forget that part of my life altogether and move on. However…that can be really unhealthy. That can lead to a “holier than thou” mentality. I’ve known many Christians who acted like they never sinned in their lives. They seem fake and hypocritical. I believe it’s a better testimony to the world that we are all sinners in need of a savior. Sure, we are not those people any more, but we all have a past! If we were all perfect, we wouldn’t need Jesus. Rahab embraced her former life as a prostitute and it became a testimony of God’s transforming work in her life. Paul did a similar thing. Maybe we should learn from them.

3. Are you willing to risk everything because of your faith? Why or why not?


This is a tough one. Would I be willing to die for my faith? Absolutely. Would I be willing to risk the lives of my wife and kids because of my faith? That’s not so easy to say. But I realize there are thousands of men and women across the globe for whom that is a day to day reality. I hope and pray that we never have to face that kind of persecution. But if/when we do, I pray that I may have the strength to stand for what I believe in – even if it costs me everything.

You can read Joshua’s story in Numbers 13, Joshua 1-6, 24.

1. Who would you consider a mentor like Moses and a friend like Caleb? How have they encouraged you in your faith journey?


I definitely look up to the preachers I have worked with during my time in ministry. Both Lance in Moline and Allen here in Mitchell have been extremely positive influences in my life. They have both taught me valuable lessons about how to do ministry, how to relate to people, how to approach the Word, how to work well with other church leaders, and much more. They are the Moses to my Joshua or the Paul to my Timothy.
And I would not be the man I am today without close Caleb-like friends in my life – like Bryson, Jordan, Michael, and others. These guys in particular have been there for me in tough times to encourage me, to laugh with me, and to help me see things in a new perspective. I thank God for the fellow godly men he has put in my life.

2. Read Galatians 5:22-23. How might fear keep you from experiencing the fruit of the Spirit?


Most of these virtues listed in Galatians are outwardly focused. They have to do mostly with our relationship to others and how we treat our neighbors. I’ve noticed that when I am fearful, anxious, or worried I tend to turn inward – focusing mainly on myself and my needs. Instead of loving, I become apathetic towards others. Joy becomes reservation and suspicion. I cannot find any peace, especially when I am lying in my bed with worst-case scenarios playing through my head. I get incredibly impatient with people, especially my family. I find it harder to be kind, good, or gentle with people and instead react harshly or sarcastically. I begin to doubt God and lose faith in his ability, choosing instead to trust in my own abilities. And self-control goes out the window, especially if there’s food involved.
Fear, worry, and anxiety are really in opposition to everything God is trying to do through his Spirit!

3. Have you chosen to courageously serve the Lord? Why or why not? If so, how does that show in your everyday life? If not, what is holding you back?


I believe that my family and I are all in when it comes to serving the Lord. I could have chosen just about any profession – many of which would be easier and make a lot more money! But I have followed God’s call into youth ministry. I know there are other things I could be doing that we just don’t seem ready for right now. But if God says “Go,” we will go. The harder part is living out the gospel in my everyday life. I think the biggest part of that is to be a light in the darkness. Our world seems really dark right now. There is a lot of fear and anxiety. I believe it’s part of my job (and the job of my fellow Christians) to show that we have nothing to fear. If God is for us, who can be against us?! What a great testimony it would be to the world if followers of Christ stopped living life in fear!

You can read Miriam’s story in Exodus 2, Exodus 31, and Numbers 12.

1. What’s something you’ve done that took a lot of courage to do? How did you feel afterward?


I remember giving a speech at Grandparent’s Day in 6th grade (I think). It was in front of hundreds, and I was terribly nervous. But I did it, and I did well. It taught me that speaking in front of crowds is not that scary. There’s not mush that could go badly. After doing it once, I was more confident to do it again and again.

2. What do you think are your best skills, talents, or personality traits? How can God use those in his kingdom?


God has blessed me with leadership skills, a relaxed personality, organizational abilities, the ability to understand Scripture and make it relatable, public speaking skills, and a decent singing voice. All in all, I feel like I am doing the best service to God’s kingdom that I can do with the gifts he has given me.
But I also have a passion to help men become better husbands and fathers. Not sure what God has in mind for that, but I’ll follow his lead.

3. Do you ever get jealous of other people’s skills or status? Why? Instead of jealousy, what is a better response?


I get jealous all the time! Maybe not as much as I used to, but more than I should. I see other youth pastors and preachers who get the big speaking gigs or book deals, and I wonder why I can’t do that? Or at least, what can I do to get to that point? I don’t wish them ill, but I want to do that, too!
I’m trying to become more content with where I am and follow God’s lead for me. I am trying to learn from these pastors, speakers, and authors in order to improve my own talents and abilities. I just want to be the best version of myself that I can be. (I see a major pattern playing out in my life! haha)

You can read Moses’ story in Exodus 1-4.





1. Write down as many labels for yourself as you can. Which ones are most important to your self-identity?


Christian     Husband     Father     Youth Minister     Sci-fi Nerd     Book Worm     Science Enthusiast     Worship Leader     Coffee Snob     Whovian     Learner     Performer (3 on Enneagram)     Music Lover     Cat Person     Football Fan     US Citizen     Southerner     Son     Brother     Fixer     Planner/Organizer     Teacher     Wannabe Guitar Player     Pizza Lover     Thinker     Theologian     Disciple     Movie-Goer     Harding University Alumnus     Church of Christ member

2. Has God ever used “wilderness” times to shape you? How?


I can think of 3 times God used wilderness to shape me. 1) Right after high school when I stayed home for a semester while most of my other friends went off to college. God taught me the value of true friendship during that time. But I also learned to be less trusting and open with people. 2) After college when I couldn’t find a ministry job for a year. God taught me to trust him, to rely on his timing, and to work hard no matter what job I was doing. A little hard work goes a long way, especially for those of us who are used to breezing through life. 3) During the end of our time in Moline – far from home, very few close friends, a stagnating ministry with no growth in sight. If we hadn’t gone through that season, there’s no way we would have come here to Mitchell, nor would we appreciate our current situation like we do.

3. In what ways do you see God trying to use you? What “good deeds” might God have planned for you? Are you willing to answer the call or are you giving excuses?


I feel quite confident that God is calling us to become foster parents. We both have a passion and a heart for these children. We have a loving, safe home we could offer to these kids during their darkest times. BUT the timing just doesn’t seem right. God has always made his timing clear to us, and I think we are in a time of waiting and preparation. Or is that just an excuse because we don’t want to right now? I don’t know. But I do know that God will lead us into it when the time is right.

You can read Joseph’s story in Genesis 37, 39-50.





1. In every situation, Joseph did his absolute best. Are you that kind of person? Why or why not?


I am definitely that kind of person. I always have felt the need or the drive to be my best. Not really better than others, but the best I can be. I’m always concerned about what I could do better, what could be improved, etc. And I find myself wanting to impress people – or at least give a good impression. I like to be known, respected, looked up to. I really try to be the best version of myself so that God may be glorified, but often that feels like justifying my own self-aggrandizement.

2. If you had the chance to sin/break the rules, and no one would find out, what would you do?

I hope that I’ve grown and matured enough to do the right thing even when no one is watching. I believe it’s a lie that no one would find out. That’s a lie perpetuated by the “father of lies.” I’m not sure anyone sins and expects to get caught. But would I do what Joseph did? I hope so. If the temptation were strong enough and the risk low enough…then I’m not sure what would happen. That’s why I echo the prayer, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

3. Looking at your life, how may God have been working behind the scenes even in really terrible situations?

I don’t think God ever caused certain things to happen, but I know for a fact that God was working in those times to forma and shape me into the man I am today. Every hardship, trial, and struggle is a catalyst for growth. I know God has used those hard times to help me grow in my faith, my love, my patience, and my understanding.

4. Write down the hardest challenge you are facing right now. Then write down “But the LORD is with me.”


I am struggling with my own self-confidence, wondering if I’m doing what I need to be doing and if this church/youth ministry is heading in the right direction… *BUT THE LORD IS WITH ME.*

You can read the story of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah in Genesis 29-30.

1. Who do you most identify with in this story?


I feel that I identify most with Rachel, especially when she names Joseph. She finally gets what she wants – a son – but doesn’t even enjoy the moment. She immediately says, “May the Lord add to me another.” She’s seemingly never satisfied. And I can relate! I often find myself saying/thinking, “Ok, that was good, but it could have been better. What’s next?” I catch myself always wondering what’s ahead rather than enjoying God’s blessings in the moment.

2. Why is it so tempting to seek love and validation in our relationships rather than from God?


I think our sense of physical presence has a lot to do with it. Katelyn (my wife) is there. She is physically present. She can hold my hand, kiss me, talk to me. God almost never seems quite as present or tangible. I know Katelyn loves me based on her words and actions. I have to take God’s love based on faith. The flip side is that human love in general is changing or fleeting and rarely unconditional. God’s love is always freely given without any prerequisites.

3. Does it feel like something is missing in your relationships? Ask God to fill that void and to help you stop relying on others for fulfillment.


It seems like a lot of my relationships lack a sense of authenticity and openness. I don’t offer up personal information to people much. And the more highly people view me, the more highly I view myself – which is dangerous.

God,
I know I’m not everything I could be yet, but help me overcome my drive and desire to be the best. I don’t want to rest on my own accomplishments any more. I want to be fulfilled and validated by you and you alone. God, may my life be lived to your glory, not mine. And may I be drawn into your love so deeply that your love spills over into all other relationships.
Thank you for your unfailing, unconditional love that is given through your Son, in whose name I pray.
Amen.