Dwelling Place: The Bible for Moms

The Bread of Life & Parenting the Heart | John 6, Matthew 15 & Mark 7 Apple Podcasts Show Notes What does it mean to believe in Jesus when His words are difficult to understand? And how can we move beyond correcting our children's behavior to addressing the heart behind it? In this episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, Stephanie Hickox explores powerful lessons from John 6, Matthew 15, and Mark 7 about faith, spiritual transformation, and biblical parenting. After feeding the five thousand, Jesus declares that He is the Bread of Life. Many who had followed Him turn away when His teaching becomes difficult, but Peter responds with a beautiful confession of faith: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). As we follow a chronological Bible reading plan through the Gospels, we discover that Jesus offers something far greater than temporary satisfaction. He offers eternal life. We also see how Jesus confronts the religious leaders who prioritize outward traditions over the condition of the heart. In this episode, you'll discover: Jesus, the Bread of Life: Why Jesus offers more than temporary provision and how believing in Him changes everything. Faith when God's Word is difficult: What Peter's declaration teaches us about trusting Jesus even when we don't fully understand His ways. The difference between legalism and heart transformation: Why Jesus confronts outward religious behavior that hides a heart far from God. Biblical parenting that reaches the heart: Why correcting behavior alone isn't enough and how parents can help children recognize the thoughts, emotions, and beliefs influencing their choices. Parenting impulsive children with hope: Encouragement for moms raising children who speak before they think, act impulsively, or struggle to control their responses—and a reminder of how God can shape their strengths for His purposes. Our need for the Holy Spirit: Why lasting transformation cannot come from parental instruction alone, but requires God's work in our hearts and the hearts of our children. As Christian moms, we can become so focused on outward behavior that we miss what is happening in our children's hearts. A child struggling with a math assignment, for example, may not need a lecture about laziness as much as patient help identifying the discouragement or lies they believe about themselves. Biblical parenting seeks to address the heart, teach God's truth, and trust the Holy Spirit to bring genuine transformation. This episode offers practical Christian parenting wisdom rooted in Scripture, reminding us that God is not merely interested in what we say or do outwardly. He desires hearts transformed into the likeness of Christ. Whether you're following a chronological Bible reading plan, looking for a Bible podcast for women, or seeking biblical encouragement for your motherhood journey, join us as we learn to treasure Jesus, trust His Word, and faithfully point our children's hearts toward Him. Scripture References John 6:14–71; Matthew 15:1–20; Mark 7:1–23; John 6:68; Psalm 19:14. Resources Mentioned Entrusted With a Child's Heart — Learn more about this biblical parenting study and how to move beyond behavior management to heart-focused discipleship. Got Questions — Additional resources explaining Jesus' teaching about the Bread of Life and the figurative language in John 6. Find links to the resources mentioned in this episode in the show notes. A Prayer for Christian Moms Lord, help us trust You when Your Word is difficult to understand. Transform our hearts so that our words bring You glory. Teach us to parent with wisdom, consistency, and grace, looking beyond outward behavior to the hearts of our children. Help us faithfully plant and water seeds of truth while trusting Your Holy Spirit to bring growth. Amen. Subscribe to The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms from Entrusted Ministries for biblical encouragement as you read God's Word, grow in Christ, and seek to raise children who love and follow Him. Because what God is doing in your heart matters just as much as what you're teaching your children. #ChristianParenting #ChristianMoms #BiblePodcast #BiblicalParenting #ChronologicalBibleReadingPlan Learn more about Entrusted Ministries and the Dwelling Place Bible reading plan at Entrusted Ministries. Podcast Page Commentaries Most Referenced: Moody Bible Commentary, MacArthur Commentary

Do you ever feel like you simply aren’t enough for your family? You want to be a faithful Christian mom, care well for your children, keep up with the demands of your household, and nurture your family’s faith—but at the end of the day, your to-do list is still unfinished, and you feel exhausted by everything you couldn’t accomplish. What if your weakness is not an obstacle to the work God wants to do through you, but an opportunity to point your family to Jesus? In this episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, Stephanie Hickox explores the feeding of the 5,000 in Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9, and John 6. This remarkable miracle reveals Jesus as the compassionate Good Shepherd who sees the needs of His people and provides abundantly. And tucked into this familiar Bible story is a powerful encouragement for Christian motherhood: Jesus invites us to bring Him what we have, even when it feels woefully insufficient, and trust Him with the results. Through the example of the boy who offered his five barley loaves and two fish, we’re reminded that God does not ask us to become supermoms who can do everything on our own. He calls us to faithfulness, humility, and dependence on Christ. If you’re overwhelmed by homeschooling, working, caring for your children, managing family finances, or navigating difficult circumstances, this Bible study will encourage you to surrender your limitations and let Jesus be glorified in your motherhood. In This Episode, You’ll Discover What the feeding of the 5,000 teaches us about motherhood: Why your insufficiency can become an opportunity to demonstrate your need for Jesus to your children. The boy who offered his lunch to Jesus: How five loaves and two fish remind us to give God what we have instead of focusing on what we lack. Jesus, the Good Shepherd: How Christ’s compassion for the crowds echoes Psalm 23 and reveals the Father’s heart to provide for His people. God’s abundance in the middle of our limitations: Why the twelve baskets of leftovers matter and what they teach us about the generous provision of Jesus. Serving faithfully when you’re emotionally exhausted: What Jesus’ response to the crowds teaches us about compassion, service, and meeting the needs of those God places in our lives. Trusting God with your unfinished to-do list: How Christian moms can surrender their plans, expectations, and dreams for their families to the Lord. The connection between weakness and God’s glory: Why modeling dependence on Christ can teach our children more than trying to appear capable of doing everything ourselves. Finding contentment in Christ: How to live with gratitude for what God has provided rather than constantly measuring yourself against everything you wish you could do. Growing in biblical motherhood: How to be diligent yet humble, faithful yet surrendered, as you disciple your children and care for your family. Bible Passages in This Episode Matthew 14 — The death of John the Baptist, the feeding of the 5,000, and Jesus walking on the water. Mark 6:30–44 — Jesus has compassion on the crowds and feeds them. Luke 9:10–17 — Jesus provides food for the multitude. John 6:1–14 — The boy’s five barley loaves and two fish. Psalm 23 — The Lord as our Shepherd who provides and satisfies. 2 Kings 4:42–44 — Elisha feeds a hundred men with twenty barley loaves. Psalm 116:15 — The preciousness of the death of God’s faithful people. Matthew 5:10 — The blessing promised to those persecuted for righteousness. A Word of Encouragement for the Overwhelmed Mom You don’t have to be a supermom to be a faithful mom. God knows your limitations. He sees the unfinished tasks, the competing demands, the financial pressures, the health challenges, and the moments when you wonder how you can possibly give your family what they need. The invitation of Jesus is simple: “Bring them here to me” (Matthew 14:18, ESV). Bring Him your limited time, your tired body, your imperfect plans, your hopes for your children, and your desire to raise them to know and love Him. Be diligent in the work He has given you, but don’t carry the burden of believing that everything depends on you. Your children need more than a mother who can do it all. They need to see a mother who knows where to turn when she cannot. May your motherhood become a daily testimony that Jesus is sufficient, His provision is abundant, and His glory shines through our weakness. Listen now for biblical encouragement to surrender your inadequacy, trust the Good Shepherd, and discover the freedom of depending on Jesus in the everyday work of Christian motherhood. The Dwelling Place is a Bible podcast from Entrusted Ministries, created to help busy Christian moms grow in God’s Word and apply biblical truth to motherhood, parenting, and family life. Learn more about Entrusted Ministries and the Dwelling Place Bible reading plan at Entrusted Ministries. Podcast Page Commentaries Most Referenced: Moody Bible Commentary, MacArthur Commentary

What do you do when your child is sick, your prayers seem unanswered, or a difficult season lasts far longer than you ever expected? As Christian moms, we long to protect our families, find answers, and see the people we love made well. But how can we walk in faith when we cannot control the outcome? In this episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, Stephanie Hickox explores two extraordinary miracles of Jesus in Mark 5: the healing of a woman who had suffered for twelve years and the raising of Jairus’ twelve-year-old daughter. Through these accounts, we see Jesus’ compassion for the suffering, His power over sickness and death, and His tender care for those who come to Him in faith. These stories remind us that God can be glorified even in circumstances we would never choose for our families. Although faith does not guarantee the specific outcome we desire, we can trust the character and power of Jesus, bring our deepest fears to Him, and live with an eternal perspective. For moms seeking biblical encouragement for Christian motherhood, parenting through uncertainty, and growing in faith and family life, this Bible study invites you to look beyond your circumstances to the Savior who makes us whole. In This Episode, You’ll Discover Faith when the problem feels impossible: What Jairus and the suffering woman teach us about approaching Jesus with our greatest needs. Jesus sees the suffering others overlook: How Christ restored a woman who had endured twelve years of physical pain, social isolation, and spiritual exclusion. When healing seems delayed: How to trust God when you have tried everything to help someone you love and still have no answers. The difference Jesus makes: Why the woman’s touch did not make Jesus unclean—and how His healing power made her whole. Trusting God with your children: What Jairus’ desperate request teaches us about bringing our fears for our children to Jesus. Faith in the face of fear: Jesus’ words, “Do not fear, only believe,” invite us to look to Him even when circumstances seem hopeless. Living with eternity in view: How the temporary nature of life changes the way we approach sickness, suffering, parenting, and our children’s spiritual well-being. Biblical wisdom for family health decisions: Why we need discernment, prayer, and wisdom as we seek answers for our families rather than simply chasing the next health trend. Prioritizing spiritual care in busy motherhood: How to remain attentive to the spiritual needs of our children while meeting the constant physical needs of family life. Bible Passages in This Episode Mark 5:21–43 — Jesus heals the woman who had been bleeding for twelve years and raises Jairus’ daughter. Numbers 15:37–41 — God commands Israel to wear tassels as reminders of His commandments. Hebrews 11:6 — Without faith it is impossible to please God. Romans 8:28 — God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Encouragement for Christian Moms Faith is not pretending that sickness, fear, and suffering are insignificant. It is bringing those very things to Jesus, trusting His character when we cannot understand His timing, and remembering that this life is not the end of our story. The woman in Mark 5 had suffered for twelve years. Jairus faced the possibility of losing his beloved daughter. Neither circumstance was too difficult for Jesus. He saw the woman whom others had overlooked, and He responded with compassion to a father who desperately wanted his child to live. As mothers, we can pray for our children’s physical protection and healing while remembering that their spiritual well-being matters eternally. We can ask God for wisdom, seek appropriate help, and entrust our families to the Savior who cares for them even more deeply than we do. Join Stephanie as we study Mark 5 and discover how the miracles of Jesus can strengthen our faith, quiet our fears, and help us trust Him with the people we love most. The Dwelling Place is a Bible podcast from Entrusted Ministries, created to help busy Christian moms spend time in God’s Word and apply biblical truth to motherhood, parenting, and family life. Learn more about Entrusted Ministries and the Dwelling Place Bible reading plan at Entrusted Ministries. Podcast Page Commentaries Most Referenced: Moody Bible Commentary, MacArthur Commentary

ut treasured daughters whom He delights to draw near. If you're a busy mom seeking biblical encouragement, a deeper understanding of Scripture, and wisdom for Christian motherhood, join us as we continue through God's Word with The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast. You may not understand what God is doing today, but you can trust the Savior who walks beside you. Learn more about Entrusted Ministries and the Dwelling Place Bible reading plan at Entrusted Ministries. Podcast Page Commentaries Most Referenced: Moody Bible Commentary, MacArthur Commentary

How can we faithfully teach our children God’s Word while trusting Him to produce the growth? And what should we do when we can’t see whether the seeds of faith we’re planting are taking root? In this episode of The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms, Stephanie Hickox explores eight parables Jesus tells in Matthew 13, along with their significance for Christian moms who long to raise children who love and follow Jesus. Following the rejection Jesus faced from the scribes and Pharisees, these parables reveal a surprising picture of the kingdom of heaven. God’s kingdom may not always appear the way we expect, and His work is not always immediately visible. Yet God is at work, even when we cannot see the results. Stephanie unpacks the parable of the sower and the four soils, sharing why she regularly prays that she and her children would be good soil for God’s Word. As moms, we are called to faithfully teach Scripture, talk about God’s goodness, and create opportunities for our children to know Him. But we cannot make faith grow in their hearts. That is God’s work. Through the parables of the wheat and weeds, the mustard seed, the leaven, the hidden treasure, the pearl of great value, and the net, we’re reminded of the kingdom’s present, sometimes hidden work, its incomparable worth, and the certainty of God’s final judgment. If you’re a mom wondering whether your efforts to disciple your children are making a difference, this episode will encourage you to remain faithful, pray expectantly, and trust God with the harvest. In this episode, you’ll discover: The meaning of the parable of the sower and why we should pray to be good soil for God’s Word. How the enemy, life’s trials, and the pleasures of the world can prevent Scripture from taking root. The partnership between parents and God in biblical parenting: we plant and water, but God gives the growth. Why we must keep praying for loved ones whose hearts seem resistant to the gospel. What the parable of the wheat and weeds teaches us about appearances, discernment, and the final judgment. How the mustard seed and leaven illustrate the surprising growth and influence of God’s kingdom. Why Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven as a treasure and a pearl worth giving up everything to possess. What the parable of the net teaches us about the coming separation of the righteous and the wicked. How Jesus’ rejection in His hometown reminds us that hearing God’s Word does not automatically mean submitting to it. Scriptures discussed: Matthew 13 — Jesus’ parables about the kingdom of heaven. Luke 8 — The parable of the sower and the importance of hearing God’s Word. Luke 11 — Jesus’ teaching on prayer and spiritual responsiveness. 1 Corinthians 3:6–7 — We plant and water, but God gives the growth. Deuteronomy 6:6–7 — Teaching God’s commands throughout everyday family life. A prayer for Christian moms: Lord, make our hearts and the hearts of our children good soil for Your Word. Help us faithfully plant and water the seeds of truth, teach our families to meditate on Your goodness, and trust You when we cannot see what You are doing beneath the surface. Protect our families from the enemy, the trials of this world, and the fleeting comforts that can draw our hearts away from You. Cause growth in us, our husbands, and our children. Amen. If you’re following a chronological Bible reading plan, join us as we continue through Scripture and discover how God’s Word shapes our faith, our families, and our approach to biblical parenting. Listen, grow in God’s Word, and keep praying for the harvest. We may not see the growth today, but we can remain faithful to the One who gives it. The Dwelling Place Bible Podcast for Busy Moms is brought to you by Entrusted Ministries, equipping families to live out God’s truth in their homes. Learn more about Entrusted Ministries and the Dwelling Place Bible reading plan at Entrusted Ministries. Podcast Page