We return to Mark 6 this week for one last look at this passage. In week one, we considered the disciples’ time in the boat. In week two, we looked at how God orchestrates every detail, down to empty baskets being in the right place, at the right time. This week we conclude by looking at how Jesus concluded this enormous miracle – He sent everyone away and went to the wilderness to be with His Father.
To remember the events leading up to Jesus’ time in the wilderness – He commissioned the 12 to go do ministry in pairs, Mark 6:7-13. They cast out demons, preached repentance, and healed the sick. When they returned to Jesus, they were still so busy they did not have time to eat, Mark 6:30-31. When they tried to get away to the wilderness to rest, they were met with crowds of needy people who Jesus fed miraculously, Mark 6:32-44.
Hot on the heels of performing miracles themselves, and then witnessing one of Jesus’ largest miracles, Jesus sends the disciples ahead of him in a boat while he heads up the mountain to pray, Mark 6:45-46.
I cannot truly imagine how Jesus and the disciples felt on that evening – I only know how I feel at the end of VBS Sunday. After months of preparations, a 50-60 hour work week of VBS, hundreds of children reached, dozens of children making professions of faith, whole families hearing the Gospel on Sunday morning – I am completely spent, incredibly grateful for all that God has done, and profoundly in need of rest and rejuvenation! And yet all that, I’m sure, does not hold a candle to what Jesus and the disciples felt after their whirlwind of ministry!
If Jesus pulled away from everything – even the good thing of teaching and ministering to his closest 12 disciples – to spend focused time in prayer with his Father, how much more do we need intentional time alone with the Father?
Moms in ministry are pulled in every imaginable direction – from the endless needs of our own kids and families, to the endless needs of ministry to the kids and families at our church. Prioritizing time with Father – even if it means foregoing other good things – is not a luxury, it is a necessity. The perfect, holy Son got away to be one-on-one with the Father. We are not stronger, better equipped, or less in need of prayer than Jesus himself!
Motherhood & Ministry is a weekly post on Monday mornings to encourage moms who serve in vocational ministry while also serving their families.
Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia discuss unexpected circumstances and biblical encouragement.
Last week in Motherhood & Ministry we considered our time in the wilderness and our time in the boat with Jesus. In Mark 6, Jesus was on his way to spend time alone with the disciples to rest and reconnect in the wilderness. Instead we see one of Jesus’ greatest miracles, and his only miracle (outside of His resurrection) that is included in all 4 Gospels – the feeding of the 5,000.
The whole point of this passage is that Jesus does things that only God can do. He is the Son of God and He is the Savior. The disciples, of course, could never solve the problem of thousands of hungry people because the disciples are mere humans. Jesus, I think, wanted to highlight their limitations and in contrast with His holy solution.
When they were full, he told his disciples, “Collect the leftovers so that nothing is wasted.” So they collected them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces from the five barley loaves that were left over by those who had eaten. – John 6:12-13
Here’s a question that I had never thought about before – where did those 12 empty baskets come from?
Did the disciples have them in the boat? Some of the people who rushed off on foot to meet Jesus – did they not even turn around to put their basket away before leaving? Who carries around empty baskets?
Have you ever gone somewhere and you bring an umbrella because it might rain, and then you end up carrying it around all day, and you’re like, “Ugh, why did I bring this?” I wonder if an owner of an empty basket spent most of her day in the wilderness wondering why they didn’t just go home and put the basket down?
But God orchestrated not only one boy with 5 loaves and 2 fish, but also 12 empty baskets to all be present that day to take part in a miracle that pointed to the truth about Jesus.
God does the same thing today. In our lives, and in our churches, He pulls together seemingly separate people, life experiences, and circumstances to all work together in unity to point a lost and dying world to Jesus. God works out His will on earth through things like empty baskets being in the right place, at the right time.
We just have to trust in that, even in seasons when we’re carrying around an empty basket “for no reason,” God has a purpose and a plan to fill it for His Kingdom and His glory.
Motherhood & Ministry is a weekly post on Monday mornings to encourage moms who serve in vocational ministry while also serving their families.
Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia discuss personal circumstances and challenges, as well as scriptural encouragement.
Moms everywhere experience the feeling that there is never an opportunity for solitude, down time, or quiet. Especially being a mom in vocational ministry – not only do the needs of caring for a busy family never stop, but the needs of an active and effective ministry never stop either!
Thankfully, we can look to the life and ministry of Jesus. His ministry, time, and availability were in demand beyond what we could ever imagine, and through His example we can gain guidance for our own lives.
In Mark 6, we see Jesus commissioning the 12 disciples to do ministry. They preached a message of repentance, drove out demons, and healed sick people. They sound pretty busy!
In Mark 6:30 we see them gather back to Jesus to report all they had done and taught. Jesus identified their need for rest and invited them to retreat to the wilderness. Verse 31 specifies that they were so busy, there was not even time to eat!? (Can I get an Amen for all the leaders who have thrown down a handful of goldfish and called it a meal on busy days!?)
Jesus and the disciples traveled by boat to a remote place, but the crowds saw them and ran ahead to meet them at the shore. Mark 6:34 says, “When he [Jesus] went ashore, he saw a large crowd and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then he began to teach them many things.” How often have I set aside time to spend in Bible study, prayer, reflection, and solitude, only to have those plans magnificently interrupted?
I get up at the crack of dawn to read my Bible, only to be joined by a toddler who is *also* up at the crack of dawn. I decide to spend a lunch break walking and praying on a beautiful day, only to have a time-sensitive need pop up, and then work through lunch instead. I plan to attend a retreat or conference, only to have my plans derailed by a sick child or an unforeseen change.
The disciples did not get their anticipated rest and solitude in the wilderness – but they did get a boat ride alone with Jesus. Sometimes our best laid plans for rest and solitude are derailed, and the “time in the boat” is the only time we get with Jesus that day.
Making the most of my “time in the boat” could look like continuing my quiet time, with a toddler on my lap. It could look like my shower, commute, or wait in the school pick up line becoming a time of intentional and focused prayer. It could look like finding a quiet place to pray in solitude for just 5 minutes out of a busy work day.
Sometimes we make it to the wilderness only to be met with more pressing needs. Let us not stop seeking alone time with the Lord, but may we also make good use of our time in the boat.
Motherhood & Ministry is a weekly post on Monday mornings to encourage moms who serve in vocational ministry while also serving their families.
Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia talk burnout, as well as personal and organizational strategies to avoid it!
“Lord, am I in the right place?” Every ministry leader likely asks this question at some point in their ministry. It can feel daunting to discern the times and seasons for continuing in a ministry assignment or preparing to move on to the next one. It can be tempting to think, “I wouldn’t mind my own burning bush right now, telling me exactly where to go and what to do!”
In Joshua 1:1-9, Joshua is preparing to go. He would finally lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Moses is dead and Joshua is embarking on this totally new journey without his mentor. I can only imagine that I would feel pretty intimidated under these circumstances!
Three times God tells Joshua to “be strong and courageous.” He also instructs Joshua to carefully follow everything Moses taught, and to meditate on God’s Word day and night. Knowing God’s Word, following God’s Word, and having it deeply embedded in his heart was Joshua’s key to leading the Israelites to success in the Promised Land.
Joshua was called to go and lead through a season of great transition and change. Sometimes we are called to stay and plant deep roots of lasting ministry impact. We all likely know ministry leaders of great longevity and influence. Pastors who have served a single congregation for 20, 30, or even more years! What a testimony to the faithfulness of God, displayed in the faithfulness and obedience of His child.
How happy is the one who does not
walk in the advice of the wicked
or stand in the pathway with sinners
or sit in the company of mockers!
Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction,
and he meditates on it day and night.
He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams
that bears its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
Psalm 1:1-3
No matter how our circumstances may change or how long we may be called to a particular ministry assignment, we can be like a tree planted beside flowing streams, growing deep roots into God’s Word. We can delight in His truth and meditate on Scripture continually. He will nourish our souls and produce fruit in our lives through the outworking of the Holy Spirit. God will supply all we need to continue in faithfulness and obedience, walking with Him one step at a time.
The preteen and teen years are often stormy and difficult for both kids and adults to navigate. At this age, children are faced with rapid physical changes, big questions, and decisions about the person they will become. To help teens navigate this season well, a basic understanding of child development can help adults know what to expect, the behaviors and thought processes which are developmentally appropriate, and how to come alongside teens as they mature.
Preteens
The preteen years include ages 10 – 12. These years often herald the start of adolescence with the onset of puberty, as well as many other social and emotional changes. In addition to a myriad of physical changes, puberty also begins a second major season of synaptic pruning in the life of a child, the first being in the toddler/preschool years.
In the process of synaptic pruning, the brain hones and refines itself for adulthood. Neural connections that are used most often are strengthened with a myelin sheath to make them faster and more efficient. Neural connections which are weaker or infrequently used are pruned away to conserve energy and resources.
The rapid physical growth and enormous amount of brain development happening in the preteen and teen years result in children needing 8 – 10 hours of sleep a night. In the same way that babies and toddlers need a great deal of sleep due to rapid physical growth and explosive brain development, pubescent preteens and teens need a great deal of sleep. Sleep deprivation can negatively affect focus, attention, and mood during these already turbulent years.
Around puberty preteens and teens also become very self-conscious. They may feel as if there is a “spotlight” on their actions and appearance. This is a developmentally normal resurgence of egocentrism, much like egocentrism in the preschool years when children have a difficult time taking the perspective of another person. Preteens have a difficult time taking the perspective of other preteens and understanding that other children are also self-conscious and self-focused. The “spotlight” is primarily in their perception of themselves, but feels very real to preteens and teens.
Socially, preteens face the jarring experience of going from the top rung of the elementary social ladder – as the oldest and coolest in the children’s ministry – back to the bottom rung of the social ladder as the youngest and greenest kids in the student ministry. The transition from children’s to student ministry can be awkward or uncomfortable, but there are a number of ways children’s and student ministries can partner together to encourage a smooth transition for preteens.
One way to help preteens transition into the student ministry is to help familiarize them with volunteers in the student ministry, the spaces of student ministry, and the routines of student ministry. One example is for the oldest elementary age group to have VBS take place in the student ministry spaces, with volunteers who typically serve in the student ministry. Preteens become familiar with the classrooms and begin building relationships with the adults who will be leading them once they move up to the student ministry. The student ministry can also host an orientation or open house to create familiarity. Creating intentional opportunities for crossover into the student ministry world, and building relationships in advance can go a long way in alleviating fears of the unknown and helping preteens transition into the student ministry.
Teens
The process of synaptic pruning continues through the teen years, and is guided by the habits and environment of the child. This is one reason that addiction in the teenage years is especially pernicious, whether it be drug use, pornography, or anything else. These habits and environmental input shape the brain during an especially sensitive and moldable period. The good news is that our brains remain “plastic” throughout our lives. We are able to “rewire” our neural connections through the formation of new habits. Practicing spiritual disciplines and cultivating a renewed mind actually rewires our brains!
The brain also matures back to front and bottom to top. The cerebellum in the back, lower portion of the brain controls movement, balance, and motor functions. In the midbrain, the limbic system processes emotions. The very front of the brain, right behind the forehead and eyes, is the prefrontal cortex. This is the part of the brain that controls reasoning, decision making, and complex thought. The prefrontal cortex isn’t mature until the mid-twenties.
This is why a teen can be a phenomenal athlete, who also makes poor choices that cost him an athletic scholarship. A teen can have highly developed motor skills, making him a great athlete, while also lacking a mature prefrontal cortex to assist with rational decision making. Teens can also seem moody and irrationally ruled by their emotions. Their limbic system processes complex emotions without the help of a mature prefrontal cortex to temper those emotions with rational thought and evaluation.
Teens, though, experience a natural desire for increased independence, and can often be challenged with increased responsibility as a result. Teens who are engaged and invested in the life of the church can be brought on as assistant leaders and helpers in many areas. They can serve alongside adults and be entrusted with responsibility while also being mentored and trained by seasoned leaders. Recruiting teens to serve with children, play in a praise band, serve with the technology team, or other opportunities not only helps mature and develop teens, but also strengthens and edifies the church.
The teen years are also a time when young people begin to question their beliefs, who they will become, and whether they will “own” or abandon their faith. Teens need support in grappling with hard questions of what is true; scripture or other religious or secular alternatives? What is good; is following a biblical life really what’s best for me? And what the future holds for them personally; faith in Jesus or some other path?
The greatest gift we can give teens is to come alongside them in this season, walk with them as they grapple with big questions, and invest in them to enter into adulthood with a firm understanding of not only what they believe but why they believe it. We have the awesome opportunity to develop teens into leaders and watch them grow into all that God created them to be. The teen years can be challenging, but they can also be fruitful for the Kingdom!
KidMin with Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia 