This episode of Chinese Theologians is brought to you by Crossway.
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Click up a book from the 4th of the Bible tells me so series wherever books are sold. Or visit Crossway.org/4th of the Bible tells me so to learn how to get 30% off with a free Crossway Plus account. If you've ever wondered what comes after a story Bible, I want to tell you about the
tiny Theologians Bible, a project I'm so excited to finally share with you.
We partnered with Zonder Kids to create a full-text Bible for kids using the NIR view translation. And what makes this Bible so special is its architecture. We designed it so that as kids are reading scripture often for the very first time, they're also learning how to read scripture with support along the way to help them understand
what they're reading. It's like a study Bible made just for tiny Theologians and my hope is that if this is a child's first Bible, it's certainly not their last. You can find it at Zonder Kids, ChristianBook.com or wherever books are sold. Hey TJ, what's up all up?
Oh, hey Tori, I'm just doing up-downs. Remember those? Could face told us how to do them one day in the park? Oh, I do, but why are you doing them right now, TJ? I really want to get stronger and maybe faster.
So I'm trying to do these exercises so that my body grows stronger and stronger. I understand that TJ, but I'm still wondering, what makes you want to do that today?
“Oh, it's all I can happen that made you feel like you should be stronger or faster.”
I don't, I don't really want to talk about it.
I'm sorry TJ, I always talked to your privacy, but I also want you to know, it's
something happened that made you feel, oh, well, I'm not just like that. You need to know that I love you just the way you are. Thanks Tori. Sure, thanks TJ, say, can I do up-downs with you? You really want to?
I do. Let me try backpack inside, I'll be right back. Ugh, I'll be right here. Ugh. Mom, I'm having some school.
Hey Tori, come here. Big hug.
How was your day at school today?
It was good mom. Mom, do you know what TJ is feeling down? He's outside doing up-downs because he wants to get stronger and faster. Do you know what's like happened to her feelings? I have a feeling that maybe someone made him feel like he needed to be stronger or faster
to be, I don't know, loved or something. Tori, I love your sensitive heart. TJ had a tough day at baseball practice today. He came home feeling like he wasn't very good at baseball. Even though you and I know how hard he's worked on his batting skills, he just had a hard
day. Team skirmish, he was picked last. I'm sure that didn't feel very good. Ugh, that sounds like that would hurt my feelings too. I'm sad that happened.
I wish he knew how loved he is just as he is. Have you told him that? I'm sure he would love to hear that from you. I did tell him, but I don't mind making it. I know I don't ever get tired of someone telling me they love me.
Me either. And you know what's great, there's someone who loves us unconditionally. Unconquered. Unconditionally, there's someone who loves us without conditions. That means they love us just the way we are without having to perform or perfect ourselves.
Do you know who it is?
“I think I have a feeling, but I think TJ should explore this question himself.”
That's a great idea, Tori. Would you take him on an adventure to discover the one who loves him unconditionally?
I think it will really help him.
I sure will. Thanks, mom.
TJ, I have an adventure for us to go on.
Oh, you do? Where are we going? TJ, did you know that there is someone who loves you unconditionally? Unconquered. What?
That's what I said, too. Unconditionally, it means without conditions. Do you think you might know who it is? I haven't ever heard this word. And today I'm feeling kind of unlovable right now.
“That's why you need to discover the one who loves you unconditionally.”
Are you up for the adventure? I mean, I guess I am. Where do we start?
Hmm, let's do a question.
Here, why don't you start by asking this question? What does it mean to love someone or something of all conditions? It's not expecting anything in return. We're loving them because they do something for you. I guess.
Well, I don't really know, but I see someone who might know. Good idea, TJ. It seems delivery, the letter carrier. Hi, Misty. Well, hey, there, kids.
I'm so glad I found you. I could really use your help. You can use our help. I sure could. You see, I'm in a bit of a pickle.
“And I need some smarty pants like you to help make it out of it.”
How can we help Misty? Well, you see, this package was given to me to be delivered to Mr. and Mrs. Wiseman. But the package also comes with a list of conditions. It tells me on what conditions this package can be delivered. If not all of the conditions are met, then I can't deliver to them.
Oh, well. See, we and if all the conditions are met, the Wiseman won't get their package. They won't. At least, not today, not unless all the conditions are met. How can we help?
Well, maybe you can help me check off the boxes next to each condition if we know it is met. Here's the first one.
The first condition for this package says this.
This package can only be delivered to the recipient on the condition that the weather is nice outside and it is not raining. Do we meet that condition? It's not raining right now, so yes. I think we do meet that condition.
“OK, let me check that condition off my list.”
Check. The second condition reads like this. This package can only be delivered to the recipient on the condition that they are home at the time of the delivery. I saw the Wiseman's get home from the grocery store not long ago.
So I know they're home, their car is selling driveway looks like. So I think that condition is also met. How wonderful. Check. OK, last one.
This package can only be delivered to the recipient on the condition that it is placed with the arrows pointing up. Oh, I see. There's two arrows on either side of the box. Those arrows are pointing up.
He's in, you can set it on their front step with the arrows still pointing up. If you can't miss these, then you've met all the conditions. You're right. Do you like fall? Let me just put this package on your step.
Well, I had known Wiseman's deep. Oh, how wonderful. You brought a package. I've been very much excited to receive. And you met all the conditions on the delivery instructions. Thank you, Mrs. D. Your extra care ensured that our new plant arrives safe and sound.
A new plant? Oh, that makes sense, I suppose. You see, this plant needs to stay upright, so all the soil stays in the pot. It doesn't spill out all over the box. You can't be raining when it's delivered, or the plant will get too much water and wilt.
It also has to be delivered when we're home, so we can get out of the box and into the sunshine right away. Well, you sure gave me a challenge with those conditions, but I'm glad it worked out. Your new house plant is lovely, Mr. Wiseman. Conditions.
TJ, do you think you can ask Ms. D and Mr. Wiseman about the question we're exploring?
Oh, yeah.
Good reminder, Tory. I almost forgot. TJ, what adventure are you home today?
“Well, I'm wondering, do you know anything about unconditional love?”
Unconditional? Well, that is a mighty big word, and an important one too.
Unconditional love means love that never holds back.
It's a love that doesn't stop, even when we mess up or have a bad day or make mistakes. God's love is unconditional because he loves us all the time, just because we're his. TJ, do you think you know now who is that loves you all, initially? I think I do, Tory. Mr. Wiseman, have you felt like maybe you could only be loved if you were faster or stronger
or something, or, I don't know, just more? I've felt that way, TJ. I'll remember one time when I was about your age. I was picked last for Dodgeball and Gym class. It really hurt my feelings. I'll remember thinking my classmates were probably think better of me if I was more athletic. But you know what I learned?
What? I learned that I could try to be more of any of the things other people valued. But if I forgot about the God who loves me unconditionally, I would wear myself out trying to be better or more for other people.
“But when I remember that God loves me unconditionally, his love fills me up and gives me peace because I knew his love for me would never change.”
So is it wrong to want to be stronger and faster? Well, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. We're growing and changing all the time. Well, at least you are at your age. And it's totally natural to want to be your best at something you love, like a sport that you play.
But we cannot confuse getting better at a game with becoming more lovable. When we confuse those two things, oh boy, are we ever in trouble? TJ, you did it. You found the answer to your question about who loves you unconditionally. God does. How does it feel? It feels, well, I guess it helps me feel better about something that happened at baseball practice today.
Mom told me about practice. And sorry that happened TJ. I bet I didn't feel good. It didn't. But do you know what feels amazing? Knowing that God's love has no conditions. He loves me just where I am for who I am. Oh, look TJ, it's Mr. T. He must be putting on little concert across the street.
Should we go to listen? You sure should. I'll grab the misses and meet you over there. Great. Hey, everyone. Just a little concert of the neighborhood today. Today we're seeing all about God's love.
And here's a new song. Sing along if you catch on.
I'm conditional love. He's got no echo. He loves me always.
This I know. Not because I'm me. Not because I'm strong. But because I've been his all alone. I don't have to earn his wonderful grace. His love is sure on him grace. No matter what he won't give up.
“That's what's called unconditional love.”
Even when I make mistakes, his love is here to stay. Whether I'm scared or brave, he loves me just the same. Even when I make mistakes, his love is here to stay. Whether I'm scared or brave, He loves me just the same.
I'm conditional love. He's got no echo.
He loves me always. This I know. Not because I'm me.
Not because I'm strong, but because I've been his all alone.
I don't have to earn his wonderful grace. His love is sure on him grace.
No matter what he won't give up.
“That's what's called unconditional love.”
[Music]
Timeethyologians, did you love going on the Jesse Tree Adventure with TJ and Tori at Christmas?
“Well, guess what? They're back, and this time we're celebrating Easter.”
TJ, Tori, and the whole neighborhood are getting to walk you through the true story of Holy Week.
From the very first events, all the way to the resurrection of Jesus and beyond.
“Here's the best part. We've created a beautiful felt banner for you to hang in your home, with one symbol for each day of the podcast.”
Plus, a matching card set to open your Bible, guide family discussion, and help you see exactly what Jesus has done for you. The he is risen banner and card set launch soon in the podcast series begins March 28th. Visit tinytheologians.shop to learn more. We can't wait to celebrate Easter with you.
