By Mark Wilmoth

Educators call it “spaced repetition.” Educators have long recognized that repetition is key in mastering new material; few people have a memory that allows them to fully understand and effectively use new information after only one exposure. But research indicates that the timing of that repetition is significant to the learning experience. Rereading one’s notes a third or fourth time in the last minutes before a test doesn’t improve test scores. But reviewing the same material several times over several days leads to better test outcomes.

Jesus knew that.

In Matthew 15, Jesus preached a long sermon (Measure this one in days, not minutes!). Before he finished, “Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way” (Matthew 15:32, NIV). Kudos to Jesus; He wants everyone to enjoy a fellowship meal and build up their strength before starting home. The Disciples just need to provide some food. They can’t do that. In exasperation, “His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?” (Matthew 15:33). Miles from the nearest food supplies, feeding 4000 people seemed impossible.

Except that it wasn’t. The disciples had faced this dilemma before, back in Matthew 14:15-19: “As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.”

So, just a few weeks after feeding 5000 people with a little boy’s lunch, Jesus tested the disciples to see if they understood God’s ability to do the “impossible” and provide for human need. The disciples failed the test, so Jesus taught the lesson again. This time, using 7 loaves and a few small fish, Jesus fed 4000 people. Again the disciples saw that nothing is impossible with God. Now they “get it.”

Except they don’t. So Jesus taught the lesson again in Matthew 16:5-8. While crossing the Sea of Galilee, the disciples forgot to take bread. “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.” Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?” Instead of understanding that God can always supply and that, with Jesus around, they are never without resources, the disciples reverted to their old way of thinking, believing that they were in trouble because they forgot bread and would have to go hungry. Jesus was forced to remind them once again about God’s ability to provide for man’s needs. Notice that Jesus, the Master Teacher, is using “spaced repetition” long before modern educators elucidated the principle.

Teachers, don’t be too hard on yourself if your students don’t “get it” the first time. Jesus’ students didn’t get it either, and it’s for certain that it wasn’t because Jesus was a bad teacher. Patience and repetition will be required for your students to master the material. It’s telling that the most common animal analogy used for mankind in Scripture is sheep, as in “we all, like sheep, have gone astray” (Isaiah 53:6). Sheep aren’t the most intelligent animals; they might just be the dumbest. That’s why they’re so dependent on the shepherd.

So Jesus, the Good Shepherd, teaches his sheep the lesson over and over and over again: “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them” (Matthew 6:31-32). God is able to provide. Just keep repeating to yourself: “The Lord is my Shepherd; I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1).

Mark Wilmoth is with Pinehurst Christian Church in Marietta. For more about Pinehurst Christian Church, visit www.PinehurstChristianChurch.org.