Dwelling Place: The Bible for Moms

What can Christian moms learn from the way Jesus responded when Satan tempted Him? In Matthew 4 and Luke 4, Jesus enters the wilderness after His baptism and faces Satan’s direct temptation. Jesus is physically weak and hungry, yet He refuses to satisfy His desires outside the will of His Father. When Satan twists Scripture, Jesus responds with the truth of Scripture. When Satan offers Him power and recognition, Jesus refuses to take what belongs to Him before the appointed time. And when Satan challenges His identity, Jesus refuses to put God to the test. For busy Christian moms, this is more than a Bible story. Jesus shows us how to recognize temptation, discern truth from deception, and stand firm in the Word of God. We also see Jesus rejected in His hometown of Nazareth, Peter confronted with his own sinfulness, and Jesus continuing His unconventional ministry despite opposition and interruption. On today’s episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, we continue our chronological Bible reading plan through Matthew 4 and Luke 4–5 and ask how Jesus’ victory over temptation can shape our own walk with God—and our biblical parenting. In This Episode, You’ll Discover How Jesus responded to Satan’s three temptations in the wilderness Why knowing Scripture is essential for resisting temptation How Satan can misuse or distort Scripture What Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness reveal about His obedience How Jesus succeeded where Israel—and ultimately humanity—had failed The connection between the temptations of Jesus, Adam and Eve, and 1 John 2 How everyday temptations can involve food, finances, recognition, appearance, possessions, and significance Why Christian moms need discernment rather than simply following every piece of spiritual advice they hear What Jesus’ rejection in Nazareth reveals about His mission to bring salvation beyond Israel Why Jesus’ hometown was offended when He reminded them that God had shown mercy to Gentiles What Peter’s response to the miraculous catch of fish teaches us about recognizing our own sinfulness Why Jesus calls imperfect people to follow Him and participate in His mission How to help our children stand firm in biblical convictions when they encounter temptation Jesus Shows Us How to Fight Temptation Jesus entered the wilderness “full of the Holy Spirit” and was tempted by the devil for forty days. He was hungry. He was physically weak. And Satan knew exactly where to attack. Yet every time Satan tempted Jesus, Jesus answered with Scripture. “It is written…” That phrase is worth noticing. Jesus did not defeat temptation by relying on His feelings, circumstances, or human reasoning. He knew the Word of God and used it rightly. But there is another important detail: Satan knew Scripture too. In the third temptation, Satan quoted Psalm 91—but he twisted its meaning and used it to tempt Jesus to test God. This is why simply owning a Bible isn't enough. We need to know God's Word well enough to recognize when it is being misused. That is one of the reasons Bible study matters so much for Christian moms. Temptation #1: “Turn These Stones Into Bread” Jesus had not eaten for forty days. Of course He was hungry. Satan tempted Him to use His power to satisfy a legitimate physical need in a way that was outside the Father's will. Jesus responded: “Man shall not live by bread alone.” — Matthew 4:4, ESV Food itself wasn't the problem. Jesus would later miraculously provide food for hungry people. The temptation was about whether Jesus would trust His Father and obey Him even when He had a legitimate desire that could be immediately satisfied. And that raises questions for us. What happens when we're worried about money? What happens when we're concerned about our family's physical needs? Do we become anxious about providing for our children? Do we turn to food for comfort? Do we ignore our own God-given limitations because we feel like we simply have to keep going? The temptation may look different for each of us, but the underlying question remains: Will I trust God enough to obey Him when I don't have what I want—or think I need? Temptation #2: Recognition, Glory & Significance Satan then offered Jesus the kingdoms of the world. Jesus was worthy of all glory. He truly is the King of Kings. But He refused to take the crown on Satan's terms. Jesus would wait for the Father's appointed time. This temptation can hit much closer to home for moms than we might initially realize. We may not want worldwide authority. But we can want recognition. We want someone to notice how much we do. We want appreciation on Mother's Day. We want our husband to acknowledge the work we carry. We want our children to recognize our sacrifices. We want other moms to think we're doing a good job. And social media can intensify the desire for significance. Jesus deserved every bit of glory—and still willingly waited. What if faithfulness matters more than being noticed? What if some of the most important work God has given us will never receive public recognition? Temptation #3: “Prove Who You Are” Satan's final temptation challenged Jesus' identity. “If you are the Son of God…” He encouraged Jesus to throw Himself from the temple and force the Father to prove His protection. Jesus refused. He knew that trusting God does not mean deliberately putting ourselves in foolish situations and demanding that God rescue us. This is another important lesson for Christian moms: Biblical faith is not the same thing as presumption. We can trust God's protection while still walking in wisdom. We can pray for our children while also setting wise boundaries. We can trust God with our families without refusing to take reasonable precautions. We can believe God is sovereign without demanding that He prove Himself to us. The Three Temptations We Still Face The temptation of Jesus connects beautifully with the temptation described in Genesis 3. Eve saw that the fruit was: Good for food A delight to the eyes Desirable to make one wise And 1 John 2:16 describes: The desires of the flesh The desires of the eyes The pride of life Those categories still describe many of the temptations we encounter today. The perfect purchase. The beautiful home. The skincare product promising to fix everything. The outfit that will finally make us feel confident. The recognition we desperately want. The food we use to comfort ourselves. The comparison that tells us everyone else's family is doing better. The desire to be admired as a “good mom.” The temptation to find our identity in how our children behave in public. The world continually tells us: You need this. You deserve this. You should look like this. You should be admired like this. But Jesus shows us another way. Know the Word. Trust the Father. Walk in obedience. Wait for God's timing. Biblical Parenting Requires Discernment This is especially important when we think about parenting. Our children are growing up surrounded by voices telling them what they need, what will make them happy, what success looks like, and what they should believe. And sometimes those messages even contain pieces of biblical truth. That's what makes discernment so important. We need to know God's Word—not merely recognize Bible verses. We need to understand context. We need to know the character of God. We need to teach our children to distinguish between what sounds spiritual and what is actually biblical. This is at the heart of biblical parenting. Our goal isn't simply to raise children who can repeat Bible verses. We want to raise children who know God, love His Word, recognize truth, and walk in biblical convictions. When Jesus Is Rejected at Home Luke 4 then takes us to Jesus' hometown of Nazareth. Jesus reads from Isaiah 61 and declares that the prophecy is being fulfilled in Him. At first, the people marvel at His words. Then Jesus points them toward two Old Testament examples: Elijah ministering to a Gentile widow and Elisha cleansing Naaman the Syrian. And suddenly their admiration turns to fury. Why? They wanted the Messiah. But they wanted a Messiah who belonged exclusively to them. Jesus revealed that God's mercy would extend beyond their boundaries. They were so angry that they attempted to throw Him off a cliff. Yet Jesus simply passed through their midst and went away. Jesus was not afraid of rejection when faithfulness required Him to speak truth. Peter: “I Am a Sinful Man” In Luke 5, Peter experiences a miraculous catch of fish. His response is striking: “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” — Luke 5:8, ESV Peter recognizes the holiness of Jesus and, in contrast, his own unworthiness. But Jesus doesn't send him away. He calls him. “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” What an encouragement for Christian moms. We don't have to become perfect before God can use us. We don't have to have perfect children. We don't have to have a flawless testimony. We come to Jesus recognizing our need for Him. And He graciously calls us to follow Him. Jesus Is Our Model—and Our Savior As we study Jesus' life, we need to hold two truths together. Jesus is our model. We should follow His example of obedience, compassion, courage, humility, and dependence upon the Father. But Jesus is also our Savior. We cannot simply imitate Him our way into righteousness. We need the righteousness He accomplished for us. That's why the good news is so good. Jesus was tempted and never sinned. Jesus obeyed where we fail. Jesus stood firm where we fall. And because He is our Savior, we can run to Him when we are tempted rather than hiding in shame. Bible Study for Busy Christian Moms As you continue your chronological Bible reading plan, consider these questions: 1. What temptations repeatedly target me? Think beyond obvious sins. Consider anxiety, comparison, recognition, comfort, appearance, control, possessions, and the desire for significance. 2. Do I know God's Word well enough to recognize when it is being misused? 3. Where am I tempted to believe that having what I want will make me satisfied? 4. Where am I seeking recognition that belongs to God? 5. Am I teaching my children biblical discernment—or simply giving them rules? 6. Where do I need to trust God's timing rather than trying to force an outcome? 7. When I recognize my own sinfulness, do I run away from Jesus or toward Him? The more deeply we know God's Word, the more equipped we become to recognize deception, resist temptation, and teach our children to do the same. Key Scriptures Matthew 4:1–11 Luke 4:1–13 Luke 4:16–30 Luke 5:1–11 Deuteronomy 6:13, 16; 8:3 Genesis 3:6 1 John 2:15–16 Hebrews 4:15 1 Corinthians 10:13 Isaiah 61:1–2 Resources Mentioned: Entrusted With a Child's Heart Full-Circle Discipline Resources Commentaries Most Referenced: Moody Commentary, MacArthur Commentary

For Further Research: Why Did Jesus Get Baptized? What if the exhaustion, interruptions, and endless serving of motherhood could actually become opportunities to model Jesus to your children? In Matthew 3, Mark 1, and Luke 3, we witness the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. He serves people, meets physical and spiritual needs, teaches, heals, calls disciples, confronts evil, and responds with compassion to those who are hurting. In Mark 1 especially, the pace is relentless—“immediately” appears again and again as Jesus moves from one need to the next. And yet, Jesus also gets alone with His Father. For Christian moms who feel weary from the constant demands of motherhood, this passage offers both encouragement and a needed reminder: our service matters, but we cannot faithfully serve others without drawing near to Christ ourselves. On today’s episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, we continue our chronological Bible reading plan by studying Matthew 3, Mark 1, and Luke 3 and looking closely at the life and ministry of Jesus. In This Episode, You’ll Discover Why Jesus’ life provides such a powerful model for Christian motherhood What Matthew, Mark, and Luke emphasize about Jesus as Messiah, Savior, and suffering Servant Why Luke traces Jesus’ genealogy all the way back to Adam The significance of Jesus’ baptism and the Father’s declaration, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” How the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all present at Jesus’ baptism Why Jesus was baptized even though He was completely sinless What happened when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness Why Mark’s Gospel moves so quickly—and why the word “immediately” is so significant How Peter’s influence may have shaped Mark’s Gospel What John Mark’s story teaches us about failure, restoration, and usefulness to God Jesus’ authority over demons, sickness, and disease Why Jesus repeatedly withdrew to pray despite the overwhelming needs around Him What Jesus’ compassion for the leper teaches us about sacrificial love How the ordinary, unseen acts of motherhood can point our children toward the love of Christ Jesus Understands the Exhaustion of Motherhood Motherhood can feel like an endless series of interruptions. Someone needs food. Someone needs help. Someone is sick. Someone has a question. Someone needs correction. Someone needs comfort. And just when you think you might finally get a moment to yourself, someone calls your name. Mark 1 gives us a glimpse into a similar rhythm in Jesus’ ministry. People continually came to Him. He taught. He healed. He confronted demons. He cared for physical needs. He instructed His disciples. He ministered late into the evening. And then, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went to a desolate place to pray. That is an important picture for weary Christian moms. Jesus did not respond to the endless needs around Him by trying to operate independently of His Father. He withdrew to be with the Father. Motherhood may require tremendous sacrifice, but our strength does not come from having an endless supply of strength within ourselves. We need Christ. The “Immediately” Gospel Mark’s Gospel moves quickly. In Mark 1 alone, the word “immediately” appears repeatedly as Jesus moves from one event to another. John the Baptist prepares the way. Jesus is baptized. He is tempted in the wilderness. He calls His disciples. He teaches in the synagogue. He casts out a demon. He heals Peter’s mother-in-law. Crowds gather at the door. Jesus heals and delivers people. And then He rises early to pray. Sound familiar? The pace of motherhood can feel remarkably similar. But there is something beautiful about realizing that Jesus knows what it feels like to be surrounded by people who need something from you. When you are weary, overwhelmed, interrupted, or longing for solitude, Jesus understands. And He invites you to come to Him. Jesus' Baptism: The Father Is Well Pleased Matthew 3, Mark 1, and Luke 3 all point us toward Jesus’ baptism. As Jesus comes out of the water, the Spirit descends like a dove and the Father declares His pleasure in His Son. “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” — Mark 1:11, ESV This is a beautiful glimpse of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit present together. Jesus is beginning His public ministry, but before He begins the work, the Father declares His love and pleasure in Him. There is an important encouragement here for Christian mothers. Our identity cannot ultimately come from how much we accomplish. We can serve our families faithfully while still remembering that our deepest identity is found in belonging to Christ. We don't have to prove our worth through our productivity. Jesus in the Wilderness Immediately after His baptism, Jesus is driven by the Spirit into the wilderness, where He is tempted by Satan for forty days. Mark includes the striking detail that Jesus was with the wild animals and that angels were ministering to Him. Jesus' ministry would not begin with comfort and ease. He would face temptation, rejection, suffering, exhaustion, and ultimately the cross. This matters when we consider motherhood. Following God does not guarantee that our circumstances will be easy. Sometimes obedience leads us into difficult places. But God is still present there. The Hidden Years Matter Jesus spent approximately thirty years in relative obscurity before beginning His public ministry. Most of His earthly life was not spent preaching to crowds or performing miracles. There were hidden years. There were ordinary years. There were years when the Son of God lived within a human family and worked in obscurity. That can be incredibly encouraging when you are a mother whose days seem consumed by tasks nobody sees. Changing diapers. Feeding children. Cleaning up messes. Teaching. Correcting. Reading books. Caring for sick children in the middle of the night. Repeating the same instructions again and again. These things may not look significant to the world. But God does not waste hidden years. Your faithfulness in ordinary motherhood is not an interruption to God's purposes for your life. It can be part of the very place where He is forming you and using you. Jesus and the Mother Who Needed Help When Jesus enters Simon Peter's home, He discovers that Peter's mother-in-law is sick with a fever. Jesus takes her by the hand, raises her up, and heals her. And then she begins serving them. This isn't presented as a command that every sick person must immediately return to work. Rather, it is a beautiful picture of a woman who has received Christ's compassionate care and responds with grateful service. Christian motherhood involves countless opportunities to serve. But the question isn't simply, “How much can I accomplish?” The better question is: “Am I serving from the strength Christ provides, or am I trying to manufacture strength on my own?” When Everyone Is Looking for You One of the most striking moments in Mark 1 comes after Jesus has spent the evening ministering to crowds. He gets up early, while it is still dark, and goes to a desolate place to pray. His disciples eventually find Him and tell Him: “Everyone is looking for you.” — Mark 1:37, ESV What does Jesus do? He doesn't panic. He doesn't allow the urgency of every need to determine His next step. He knows why He came. He continues preaching the gospel in other towns. Jesus' example reminds us that being needed by everyone does not mean we are responsible to meet every need. Christian moms need boundaries, wisdom, rest, and time with the Lord. We are not Jesus, and we should not expect ourselves to function as though we are. But we can follow His example by making time to seek the Father—even when there are legitimate needs waiting for us. The Compassion of Jesus At the end of Mark 1, a man with leprosy approaches Jesus. This man would have experienced enormous social and religious isolation. Yet Jesus does something striking: He touches him. Jesus is not repulsed by the man's uncleanness. He is moved with compassion. And He heals him. This is the Savior we serve. Jesus is both powerful and compassionate. He is holy, yet He draws near to the hurting. He has authority, yet He serves. He is the Son of God, yet He touches the untouchable. The Gospel in the Ordinary Work of Motherhood Think about what happens when your child wakes up sick in the middle of the night. Maybe they're covered in vomit. Maybe they smell terrible. Maybe you're exhausted and desperately want to sleep. And then that little voice says, “Mommy, hold you?” And you do. You hold them. You clean them up. You comfort them. Nobody applauds. Nobody posts about it. Nobody may ever know. But your child is experiencing something tangible: love that moves toward them when they are weak, helpless, and messy. That doesn't mean a mother's love is the same as Christ's sacrificial love. But our everyday acts of sacrificial care can give our children a small, tangible picture of the self-giving love we want them ultimately to understand in Jesus. What an incredible privilege. The mundane moments of motherhood can become opportunities to point our children toward the suffering Savior. Biblical Parenting: Model the Savior You Want Your Children to Know Biblical parenting isn't only about what we tell our children. It is also about what they see. They see how we respond when we're interrupted. They see how we treat people who need something from us. They see whether we turn to Christ when we're exhausted. They see whether we serve joyfully or resentfully. They see whether we make time to pray. They see whether we respond to weakness with compassion. We will not model Jesus perfectly. We don't need to pretend that we do. Instead, our children can see us continually returning to Jesus because we need Him too. That may be one of the most powerful lessons we can give them. Bible Study for Busy Christian Moms As you continue your chronological Bible reading plan, consider slowing down over these questions: 1. Where do I see the character of Jesus in Mark 1? Notice His authority, compassion, humility, service, obedience, and dependence on the Father. 2. What does Jesus' prayer life teach me about my own? Jesus made time to withdraw and pray even when people desperately wanted His attention. 3. Am I allowing the urgent to crowd out the important? Not every need requires an immediate response from you. 4. What hidden work am I tempted to believe doesn't matter? Remember that Jesus Himself spent most of His earthly life in relative obscurity. 5. How can my ordinary acts of service point my children toward Christ? Consider the small, repetitive, unseen ways you care for your family. 6. Where do I need to receive Christ's strength rather than relying on my own? Motherhood is not an obstacle to discipleship. The everyday demands of family life can become the very place where we learn dependence, humility, compassion, perseverance, and sacrificial love. Key Scriptures Matthew 3 Mark 1 Luke 3 Mark 1:11 — “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:17 — “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Mark 1:35 — Jesus withdraws to pray Mark 1:37 — “Everyone is looking for you.” Mark 1:41 — Jesus is “moved with pity” Resources Mentioned: Entrusted With a Child's Heart Full-Circle Discipline Resources Commentaries Most Referenced: Moody Commentary, MacArthur Commentary

The Birthday that Changed the World Podcast Episode regarding December 25th. We often picture the birth of Jesus as peaceful, beautiful, and serene. But when we read Matthew 1–2 and Luke 2 carefully, we discover something different. Jesus' arrival was miraculous—but it was also dangerous, disruptive, humble, and difficult. Mary faced the possibility of public shame. Joseph had to surrender his reputation and plans. Jesus was born in profoundly humble circumstances. Simeon warned Mary that sorrow would pierce her own soul. Wise men arrived seeking the newborn King, Herod responded with murderous jealousy, and Mary and Joseph had to flee to Egypt to protect their child. And yet, through every unexpected circumstance, God was faithful. In this episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, Stephanie Hickox meditates on the birth and early childhood of Jesus through Matthew 1–2 and Luke 2. As Christian moms, we often research, plan, protect, and hope for the best for our children. But the Christmas story reminds us that faithful parenting does not mean controlling every circumstance. Sometimes following God means surrendering our expectations and trusting Him when His plan looks very different from ours. In This Episode, You'll Discover Why Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the King of Kings and promised Messiah The significance of Matthew's genealogy and the women included in Jesus' family line How Jesus' name means “the Lord is salvation” Why Joseph's obedience is such a powerful example of faithfulness What Mary's willingness to surrender her reputation can teach Christian mothers Why the Christmas story may have been much less comfortable than our traditional nativity scenes suggest How God used Caesar Augustus and a Roman census to fulfill His promise that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem Why God repeatedly used humble and unexpected people to announce and honor Jesus What Simeon and Anna reveal about recognizing God's salvation The possible significance of the gifts of the wise men Why Herod's response demonstrates the world's opposition to the rightful King How God protected Jesus by sending Mary and Joseph to Egypt What Jesus' childhood teaches us about wisdom, growth, obedience, and favor with God and people How Christian moms can surrender the desire to perfectly control their children's circumstances Why our ultimate goal in parenting should be children who place Christ on the throne The King Who Came in Humility Matthew begins by establishing Jesus' royal credentials. He traces Jesus' genealogy through Abraham and David, demonstrating that Jesus is the fulfillment of God's covenant promises and the rightful heir to David's throne. But there is a remarkable contrast. The King of Kings leaves heaven and enters the world in humility. The One who owns everything is born into poverty. The One who deserves worship is rejected. The One who is worthy of a throne is laid in a manger. The One who created the world becomes Emmanuel—God with us. This is the pattern we see throughout Scripture: God's purposes don't always look impressive by worldly standards. And that matters for mothers. We can spend enormous amounts of energy trying to create the perfect circumstances for our children. We research. We plan. We protect. We worry. We try to anticipate every possible problem. But Mary and Joseph remind us that faithfulness is not the same thing as control. Mary: Surrendering What You Can't Control Mary's pregnancy brought her extraordinary privilege—but it also brought enormous uncertainty. She knew what God had told her. She didn't know exactly how everything would unfold. And now, as Jesus' mother, she would experience circumstances no mother would choose. She would give birth in humble surroundings. She would watch strangers arrive to worship her newborn Son. She would hear Simeon tell her that a sword would pierce her own soul. And eventually, she would watch Jesus suffer and die. Mary couldn't control the circumstances. But she could remain faithful. That is an important lesson for Christian moms. Our calling is not to guarantee our children's comfort. Our calling is to faithfully point them toward Christ. Sometimes God's work in our children's lives will look different than we expected. Our children may face disappointment, difficulty, rejection, or circumstances we desperately wish we could prevent. We should protect them from what God calls us to protect them from. But we also have to resist the temptation to make comfort and control the ultimate goals. Jesus Himself entered the world through suffering and humility. Joseph: Obedience When It Costs You Something Joseph is another beautiful example of faithful obedience. When Joseph discovered that Mary was pregnant, he intended to divorce her quietly because he was a righteous man who did not want to expose her to public shame. Then God intervened. An angel told him that Mary's child was conceived by the Holy Spirit and that he was to take Mary as his wife. Joseph obeyed. He accepted the social consequences. He surrendered his reputation. He took responsibility for a child who was not biologically his. And later, when an angel warned him that Herod wanted to kill Jesus, Joseph immediately obeyed again and took his family to Egypt. Joseph's example challenges us: Are we willing to obey God even when obedience makes us look foolish to everyone else? Christian parenting begins with parents who are willing to surrender themselves to Christ. The Christmas Story Wasn't Comfortable Our Christmas traditions can sometimes make the birth of Jesus look almost effortless. But Scripture gives us a more complicated picture. Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem. Jesus was born in humble circumstances. Shepherds arrived after receiving an angelic announcement. Simeon and Anna recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah. Wise men eventually came seeking the King. Herod responded with murderous jealousy. Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt. And after Herod died, they eventually returned and settled in Nazareth. This wasn't a simple one-night story. It was a series of moments in which ordinary people had to keep trusting God. And perhaps that's one reason the story is so encouraging for moms. Mary and Joseph had to walk by faith one step at a time—just as we do. God Uses the Humble One of the themes running throughout these chapters is God's tendency to elevate the humble. Look at the people He draws into the story: A young woman from Nazareth A carpenter Shepherds An elderly man named Simeon A widowed prophetess named Anna Poor parents bringing the least expensive sacrifice Foreign wise men coming from the East The world's powerful ruler, Herod, responds with fear. But the humble recognize the King. This is a beautiful reminder for Christian mothers that faithfulness is more important than appearing impressive. Your ordinary work matters. Your quiet obedience matters. Your prayers matter. Your willingness to serve your family matters. And your children don't need a mother who looks impressive. They need a mother who knows and worships Jesus. Simeon: Blessing and Sorrow Can Coexist Simeon recognizes Jesus as God's salvation: “For my eyes have seen your salvation.” But then he tells Mary something difficult. Jesus will be opposed, and “a sword will pierce through your own soul also.” What a reminder that God's blessing does not always mean the absence of pain. Mary's greatest earthly blessing—being the mother of Jesus—would eventually become the source of unimaginable sorrow as she watched Him suffer. Yet God's plan was still good. This is an important truth for mothers who are walking through difficult seasons. A difficult circumstance is not automatically evidence that God has abandoned you. Mary's story shows us that God's presence and God's purposes can coexist with suffering. The Wise Men Worship the King Matthew then introduces the wise men who come searching for Jesus. We don't know exactly who they were or exactly how many traveled to see Him. Scripture simply tells us that they came from the East, followed the sign God provided, and eventually found Jesus. And their response is striking: “They fell down and worshiped him.” They brought costly gifts: Gold, fitting for a king Frankincense, associated with worship Myrrh, pointing toward suffering and death While Herod is threatened by the arrival of another king, these foreigners rejoice. They recognize what others refuse to see: Jesus is worthy of worship. Herod: When the World Rejects the King Herod had been appointed “King of the Jews,” so the announcement of another king threatened everything he wanted to preserve. His response was not worship. It was violence. Matthew's Gospel repeatedly emphasizes this tension: Jesus is the rightful King, but many reject Him. That remains true today. Following Jesus means recognizing His authority over our lives. And as Christian parents, we aren't simply trying to raise children who are nice, successful, educated, or well-adjusted. Our deepest desire should be that they recognize Jesus as King. What Jesus' Childhood Teaches Us About Parenting Luke 2:52 gives us one of the most beautiful verses to pray over our children: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” Four areas stand out: Wisdom — May our children grow in understanding and discernment. Stature — May they grow physically healthy and strong. Favor with God — May they learn to love, obey, and delight in Him. Favor with people — May they learn to love and serve others well. And Jesus Himself provides the perfect model. Though He was the Son of God, He willingly returned to Nazareth with Mary and Joseph and was submissive to them. The Lord of the universe humbled Himself. That should shape how we think about both parenting and discipleship. Biblical Parenting: Don't Make Comfort the Goal One of the most challenging questions this passage raises for Christian moms is: What if I'm trying too hard to make my children's lives easy? Mary and Joseph didn't have an easy road. Jesus didn't have an easy childhood. And Scripture never promises that faithful families will be protected from every hardship. Our goal isn't to engineer a painless life for our children. Our goal is to raise children who know who is worthy of sitting on the throne. That means we can pray for protection without making protection our god. We can pursue wisdom without demanding control. We can prepare our children without believing we can guarantee their outcomes. And we can trust that God is able to work even through circumstances we would never have chosen. Bible Study for Busy Christian Moms If you're following a chronological Bible reading plan, these chapters are an important reminder that the Bible is one unified story. The promises made to Abraham. The covenant with David. The prophecies of the Messiah. The promise of a Savior. The hope of God's presence. All of it is moving toward Jesus. And now that we're reading the Gospels, we're watching those promises unfold. As you read Matthew and Luke, don't simply ask, “What happened?” Ask: What does this reveal about Jesus? What does this reveal about God? What does this reveal about faithfulness? How should this change the way I live in my home? And perhaps most importantly: Am I willing to surrender my plans to the King? You can surrender your children, your plans, and your future to the King. We often picture the birth of Jesus as peaceful, beautiful, and serene. But when we read Matthew 1–2 and Luke 2 carefully, we discover something different. Jesus' arrival was miraculous—but it was also dangerous, disruptive, humble, and difficult. Mary faced the possibility of public shame. Joseph had to surrender his reputation and plans. Jesus was born in profoundly humble circumstances. Simeon warned Mary that sorrow would pierce her own soul. Wise men arrived seeking the newborn King, Herod responded with murderous jealousy, and Mary and Joseph had to flee to Egypt to protect their child. And yet, through every unexpected circumstance, God was faithful. Resources Mentioned: Entrusted With a Child's Heart Full-Circle Discipline Resources Commentaries Most Referenced: Moody Commentary, MacArthur Commentary

The New Testament is here! After walking through all 39 books of the Old Testament in our chronological Bible reading plan, we finally turn the page to the Gospels and meet Jesus in His earthly ministry. In this episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, Stephanie Hickox begins the New Testament by studying Luke 1 and John 1 and reflecting on the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah. Luke introduces us to Zechariah and Elizabeth, John the Baptist, and Mary—the humble young woman who responds to God's extraordinary calling with, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord.” We see God's faithfulness to His promises, His heart for the humble, His use of families to accomplish His purposes, and His plan to send a Savior. Then John introduces us to Jesus in a completely different way: “In the beginning was the Word.” Jesus is the eternal Son of God, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and the Messiah who came to dwell among us. And throughout these chapters, one invitation keeps appearing: Come and see. Come and see who Jesus is. Come and see what God has done. Come and see the Savior who has finally come. In This Episode, You'll Discover Why Luke wrote his Gospel and his desire for readers to have certainty concerning the things they have been taught What Luke's Gospel reveals about Jesus' compassion for the overlooked and marginalized How God used Zechariah and Elizabeth's family in His redemptive plan The connection between John's birth and the prophecy at the end of Malachi What Mary's response teaches us about humility, surrender, and obedience Why Mary's Magnificat reveals her knowledge of Scripture and God's covenant promises How God used Mary and Elizabeth to encourage one another Why being filled with the Holy Spirit repeatedly leads to worship throughout Luke The theological emphasis of John's Gospel Why John calls Jesus “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” Seven names or descriptions of Jesus found in John 1 Why John the Baptist points away from himself and toward Jesus The repeated invitation to “Come and see” What these chapters teach Christian moms about worship, humility, motherhood, family, and faithfulness Luke 1: God Uses Humble People Luke begins his Gospel by telling us why he wrote it: so that Theophilus—and everyone who reads it—might have certainty about the truth of what they have been taught. Then Luke brings us into the story through two families. Zechariah and Elizabeth are described as righteous and faithful, yet they have experienced years of disappointment and barrenness. Mary is a young woman from Nazareth who receives an announcement that will completely change her life. Neither story unfolds according to human expectations. But God is faithful. The angel Gabriel tells Zechariah that John will prepare the way for the Lord, fulfilling the prophecy we just encountered in Malachi: “And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children…” Then Gabriel comes to Mary with an even greater announcement: she will give birth to the Son of God, the promised King whose kingdom will never end. Mary's response is remarkable: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Mary doesn't respond by demanding control over the situation. She surrenders herself to God's purposes. What Mary Teaches Christian Moms About Surrender Mary's calling came with a cost. She was willing to surrender her reputation, her plans, her expectations, and her future to God's purposes. That makes her response especially meaningful for Christian mothers. Motherhood requires surrender in countless ways. Our children, our homes, our schedules, our plans, and even our hopes for the future can tempt us to believe that we need to control the outcome. But biblical motherhood begins with recognizing that we belong to the Lord before we belong to anything else. Mary didn't know every detail of what God would do. She simply trusted the One who had spoken. And she declared herself His servant. What would change in our homes if we approached our own lives with that same posture? “I am the servant of the Lord.” Elizabeth: The Gift of a Woman Who Believes You One of the most beautiful moments in Luke 1 happens when Mary visits Elizabeth. Mary has received an extraordinary message that would have been difficult for others to understand. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, responds with joy and affirmation. She doesn't compete with Mary. She doesn't question God's plan. She rejoices. For Christian women and mothers, this is a beautiful picture of how we can encourage one another. We need women who will point us back to God's Word, remind us of His faithfulness, and rejoice when we see Him working. Who are you encouraging in her walk with Christ? And who has God placed in your life to encourage you? John the Baptist: Preparing the Way for Jesus John's birth fulfills the promise made through Malachi. His calling is not to draw attention to himself but to prepare people for the Lord. That becomes a powerful picture for Christian parenting. Our children are not ultimately ours to shape according to our own image or ambitions. They have been entrusted to us so that we can point them toward Christ. John's life reminds us that our calling is not to make ourselves the center of the story. Jesus is the center. Our parenting, our marriages, our homes, and our daily lives can all become places where we say: Come and see. Come and see who Jesus is. Come and see His goodness. Come and see His faithfulness. Come and see the One who saves. John 1: The Word Became Flesh After Luke's detailed introduction to the birth of Christ, John takes us all the way back to eternity: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John wants us to understand something essential: Jesus did not begin in Bethlehem. He existed before creation. He is God. He is the Creator. He is the Light. And “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” This is the heart of The Dwelling Place. The God who has always desired to dwell with His people came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. He didn't remain distant. He came near. He came to save. And He invites us to know Him. Seven Names of Jesus in John 1 John's Gospel gives us a rich theological introduction to Jesus. In this chapter, we see Him identified as: The Lamb of God The Son of God Rabbi The Son of Man The Messiah The King of Israel Jesus of Nazareth Each name gives us another glimpse of who Jesus is. He is not merely a teacher whose example we admire. He is the Savior of the world. “Come and See” One phrase stands out throughout John 1: “Come and see.” Andrew hears John the Baptist identify Jesus and begins following Him. Then Andrew tells his brother. Jesus calls Philip. Philip finds Nathanael. And the invitation continues: Come and see. That is the invitation of the Gospel. And it can become the banner over our lives as Christian women. Instead of trying to convince everyone through our own strength, what if our homes became places where people could encounter the reality of Jesus? What if our children could look at our lives and hear: Come and see. Come and see the God who forgives. Come and see the God who is faithful. Come and see the God who meets us in weakness. Come and see the Savior who gave Himself for us. What This Means for Christian Moms These opening chapters of the New Testament remind us that God loves to work through families. He worked through Zechariah and Elizabeth. He worked through Mary. He worked through Joseph. He used John the Baptist to prepare people for Jesus. And He continues to work through ordinary families today. Biblical parenting isn't ultimately about creating perfect children or perfect homes. It's about creating a home where Christ is known, worshiped, followed, and proclaimed. That means our children don't need mothers who pretend to have everything together. They need mothers who know where to go when they don't. They need to see us humble ourselves. They need to see us repent. They need to see us worship. They need to see us trust God's Word. And they need to hear us continually point them toward Jesus. Come and see. Bible Study for Busy Christian Moms If you're following a chronological Bible reading plan, these chapters are a beautiful reminder that the Bible is one unified story. The Old Testament wasn't a collection of disconnected stories. The promises God made to Abraham, David, and Israel were moving toward their fulfillment. The prophecy in Malachi prepares us for John. The promises concerning David's throne point toward Jesus. The covenants and promises of the Old Testament find their fulfillment in Christ. And now, as we begin the New Testament, we get to watch those promises unfold through the life of Jesus. So don't simply read these familiar passages as stories you've heard before. Come and see. Ask God to show you something about Himself. Ask Him to deepen your understanding of Jesus. Ask Him to transform the way you worship. And then let that transformation spill over into your home. Key Scriptures Luke 1:37 — “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:38 — “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:46–47 — Mary's worship: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Luke 1:68–69 — Zechariah praises God for visiting and redeeming His people. Luke 1:76–79 — John will prepare the way of the Lord. John 1:1 — “In the beginning was the Word…” John 1:14 — “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:29 — “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:46 — “Come and see.” A Prayer for Christian Moms Heavenly Father, We are filled with gratitude that You are exactly who You say You are and that You do what You promise to do. Thank You for revealing Yourself to us through Your Word. As we begin the New Testament, give us eyes to see Jesus, ears to hear Your Word, and hearts that are willing to surrender to You. Make us women who recognize our weakness so that the strength of Christ can be displayed through us. Make our homes places where our children can see Your goodness, Your mercy, Your holiness, and Your faithfulness. May the banner “Come and see” wave over our motherhood, our marriages, our workplaces, our neighborhoods, and everything we do. Draw our children to Yourself. Convince them of Your goodness. Strengthen them to walk faithfully with You. And may our lives continually point away from ourselves and toward Jesus—the Lamb of God, the Savior of the world, and the One who came to dwell among us. In Jesus' name, amen. 📖 Keep Reading With Us The New Testament has begun! If you've been following The Dwelling Place chronological Bible reading plan, keep going. The next chapters may be familiar—but pray that God will give you fresh eyes to see Jesus. Come and see. He's here.Resources Mentioned: Entrusted With a Child's Heart Full-Circle Discipline Resources Commentaries Most Referenced: Moody Commentary, MacArthur Commentary

You made it through the Old Testament! 🎉 After reading all 39 books of the Old Testament, tomorrow we begin the New Testament—and there is no better way to make that transition than by pausing to celebrate what God has revealed about Jesus Christ throughout His Word. In this special episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, Stephanie Hickox celebrates the completion of the Old Testament portion of the chronological Bible reading plan and looks ahead to the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. John 1 reminds us that Jesus was not simply a man who appeared in history. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Jesus was with God in the beginning, He was God, and all things were created through Him. As we move from Malachi into the Gospels, we can look back and recognize that Jesus was present throughout the story of Scripture. The Old Testament continually points forward to the long-awaited Messiah. And tomorrow, we finally begin reading about Jesus’ earthly ministry in the New Testament! In This Episode, You’ll Discover Why completing the Old Testament is worth celebrating How Jesus is revealed throughout all 39 books of the Old Testament Why John begins his Gospel by pointing us all the way back to creation What it means that Jesus is the Word who became flesh A brief overview of the intertestamental period between Malachi and the birth of Jesus How Greek language and culture helped prepare the historical setting for the spread of the Gospel The Septuagint and why the Greek translation of the Old Testament mattered The Maccabean Revolt and the political changes leading up to Jesus' birth How synagogues, Pharisees, and Sadducees developed before the time of Christ Why the four Gospels are different from one another The unique emphasis and audience of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John How the Gospels reveal Jesus as fully God and fully man Why tomorrow's reading begins the New Testament—and introduces us to Jesus Jesus Throughout the Old Testament One of the beautiful things about completing a chronological Bible reading plan is being able to look back and see the unfolding story of redemption. From Genesis to Malachi, Scripture continually points us toward Christ. As the Name Above All Names poem reminds us: Genesis: Jesus is the ram at Abraham's altar. Exodus: Jesus is the Passover Lamb. Leviticus: He is the High Priest. Numbers: He is the cloud by day and pillar by night. Deuteronomy: He is our city of refuge. Joshua: He is the scarlet thread. Judges: He is our Judge. Ruth: He is our Kinsman Redeemer. 1 & 2 Samuel: He is the trusted Prophet. Kings & Chronicles: He is our reigning King. Ezra: He is the faithful scribe. Nehemiah: He is the rebuilder of what is broken. Esther: He is the faithful protector of His people. Job: He is our Redeemer who lives. Psalms: He is our Shepherd. Proverbs & Ecclesiastes: He is our Wisdom. Song of Solomon: He is the Bridegroom. Isaiah: He is the suffering Servant. Jeremiah & Lamentations: He is the weeping Prophet. Daniel: He is present in the fiery furnace. Hosea: He is the faithful love of God. Joel: He is the One who gives the Holy Spirit. Obadiah: He is our Savior. Jonah: He points us toward God's heart for the nations. Nahum: He is the righteous Judge. Habakkuk: He is the One we wait for in faith. Zephaniah: He is the Lord mighty to save. Haggai: He is the restorer. Zechariah: He is the fountain of cleansing. Malachi: He is the Sun of Righteousness who brings healing. As you look back over your own Bible reading, what stood out to you? Perhaps you saw Jesus as the God who sees you. Perhaps you saw His faithfulness, mercy, holiness, wisdom, justice, or patience in a new way. Take some time today to reflect on how God has changed your understanding of Him through His Word. From Malachi to Matthew: What Happened? After Malachi, there is a period of roughly four centuries without the prophetic books we find in Scripture. But God was not inactive. The intertestamental period was filled with political, cultural, and religious developments that shaped the world into which Jesus was born. During this time: The Persian Empire gave way to Greek rule. Alexander the Great spread Greek language and culture throughout the region. The Old Testament was translated into Greek in what became known as the Septuagint. Alexander's empire was divided among his generals after his death. The Seleucid and Ptolemaic kingdoms competed for control. Antiochus IV Epiphanes severely persecuted the Jewish people and desecrated the temple. The Maccabean Revolt eventually led to a period of Jewish independence. Roman power eventually took control of Judea. Herod the Great ruled Judea when Jesus was born. Synagogues and religious leadership structures developed throughout the Jewish world. So although the prophetic voice had grown silent, God's purposes had not stopped. He was preparing the world for the arrival of the Messiah. Four Gospels. One Savior. Tomorrow, we begin the New Testament—and we begin with four accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are not four different Jesuses. They are four Gospel accounts that present Jesus from different perspectives and to different audiences. Matthew: Jesus the Messiah and King Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the promised Messiah and rightful King. He repeatedly connects Jesus' life to Old Testament prophecy and highlights His place in the line of David. Mark: Jesus the Servant Mark moves quickly and emphasizes Jesus' actions and ministry. Jesus is presented as the suffering Servant who came to serve and ultimately give His life for others. Luke: Jesus the Savior of All People Luke emphasizes Jesus as the Son of Man and highlights His mission to seek and save. His Gospel especially emphasizes that the good news of Jesus extends beyond the Jewish people to the nations. John: Jesus the Son of God John begins before Jesus' earthly ministry—even before creation: “In the beginning was the Word.” John's purpose is clearly stated in John 20:31: these things were written so that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing we might have life in His name. And tomorrow, we begin reading it. Bible Study for Busy Christian Moms If you've been following the chronological Bible reading plan, don't rush past this milestone. You just read 39 books of the Bible. You watched God's promises unfold. You saw Israel's faithfulness and rebellion. You encountered kings, prophets, judges, priests, exiles, restorations, suffering, judgment, mercy, and hope. And throughout it all, God was preparing the way for Jesus. As moms, we can sometimes feel pressure to simply get through the next chapter, the next task, or the next day. But God's Word invites us to slow down long enough to recognize the bigger story. We aren't simply teaching our children Bible stories. We're teaching them the story of God's redemptive work—and pointing them to Jesus. The goal of biblical parenting isn't merely to raise children who know Bible facts. We want our children to know the God revealed in Scripture, to recognize their need for Christ, and to understand that the whole Bible tells one unfolding story of redemption. So celebrate today. Then open your Bible tomorrow. The Old Testament pointed forward to Him. Now we get to walk with Jesus through the Gospels. Key Scriptures John 1:1–5 — Jesus, the Word, was with God and was God from the beginning. John 1:14 — “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:12–13 — Those who receive Christ and believe in His name become children of God. John 20:31 — The Gospels were written so that we might believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and have life in His name. Malachi 4:2 — The coming Messiah is described as the “sun of righteousness” who brings healing. A Prayer for the Beginning of the New Testament Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for the privilege of studying Your Word and for the 39 books of the Old Testament that reveal Your perfection, glory, patience, mercy, and faithfulness. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ. As we begin the New Testament tomorrow, give us eyes that see, ears that hear, and hearts that are soft and receptive to what You want to teach us. Even if we've heard these stories many times before, reveal Yourself to us in fresh ways. Strengthen our faith and transform us through every moment we spend in Your Word. And Lord, let the peace of Christ become the foundation of our lives and something our children can see in us. May our study of Scripture not simply give us more information, but may it deepen our love for Jesus and strengthen us to raise children who know and love You. In Jesus' name, amen. Tomorrow: We Begin the New Testament! You made it through the Old Testament. Now the waiting is over. Tomorrow, we begin the New Testament and turn our attention to the long-awaited Messiah—Jesus Christ, the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us. If you've been following along with the Dwelling Place chronological Bible reading plan, don't miss the beginning of this next part of the journey. Open your Bible tomorrow. He's here.Resources Mentioned: Entrusted With a Child's Heart Full-Circle Discipline Resources Commentaries Most Referenced: Moody Commentary, MacArthur Commentary