74. Mary & Martha

Luke 10:38-42

Lesson Prep

Background Scripture (read 2-3 times during the week)

Luke 10:38-42

Story Summary

This story involves the same Mary and Martha we learned about in the Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead lesson. We learned in that story that Mary and Martha were good friends of Jesus, along with their brother Lazarus. He would stay at their house frequently as he was traveling around Jerusalem.

In this story, Mary and Martha were entertaining Jesus at their house. Martha was very busy serving Jesus, preparing the meal, cleaning, etc. Mary was sitting at Jesus' feet, listening to Jesus teach. We don't know if Jesus was just teaching Mary, or whether others were there.

But Martha became indignant at Mary that she wasn't helping out. You can imagine in your head Martha passing by the doorway to the living room on her way to get food supplies, taking the trash out, or taking the food to the dining room, each time getting more and more frustrated that she was doing all this work herself while her sister Mary was just sitting down in the living room with Jesus. Martha finally snapped: "Lord, my sister has left me to do the work by myself. Don’t you care? Tell her to help me!" (Luke 10:40).

But Jesus had a very important lesson for Martha. He told her that Mary had a choice. She could have gotten very busy with all the serving, preparing, and cleaning - just like Martha. Or she could have chosen to spend time with Jesus and learn from him. Jesus told Martha that Mary had made a good choice.

What You Will Need

Video Options

God's Story - Mary and Martha

From Crossroads Kids Club

Mary and Martha

From Kids on the Move

Jesus Visits Mary and Martha

From Saddleback Kids Slapstick Theater

Resource Sheet

Mary & Martha Coloring Sheet

This coloring sheet depicts Martha cleaning and being frustrated at Mary, sitting at Jesus' feet listening to him teach

Lesson

1. Warm Up get your kids talking and engaged

Do you have chores at your house? What is your least favorite chore? What is your favorite chore?

Today, we're going to learn about time when a woman named Martha was serving Jesus in her house. But Jesus taught her that there was something more important than her chores!

2. Teach the Story teach a holistic story

Read story from a Children's storybook Bible for younger children.

For older children, read the story from an age-appropriate Children's storybook Bible or read directly from the Bible.

3. Bible Mastery give them basic Bible skills

Scripture for Kids to Read Aloud Luke 10:38-42

4. Comprehension Questions make sure they understand the story

First, ask the children if they have any questions about the story. What to do if you don't know the answer?

  • Whose house was Jesus at?
  • Martha and her sister Mary
  • What was Martha doing while Jesus was there?
  • She was serving him - probably things like cooking and cleaning
  • What was Mary doing?
  • Sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to him teach
  • Why was Martha upset?
  • Because Mary wasn't helping her serve
  • What did Jesus tell Martha when she complained to him about it?
  • That Mary chose the most important thing - listening to Jesus

5. Faith Questions open up a conversation about faith and the gospel; close with prayer

  • Jesus praised Mary for putting him first and choosing to spend time with him.
  • How can you spend time with Jesus?

6. Memory Verse hide God's Word in their heart

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30

Reinforcement Activities

Reminder Bracelets

Scripture Mary sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. Luke 10:39
Supplies bracelet supplies, varies depending on what age and class you are doing activity with
  • Bracelets can be as difficult or as easy as you want, depending on the age of the students.
  • Ideas include: braided paracord, rainbow loom, pony beads, braided leather string.
  • Make bracelets and allow students to wear them.
  • Pray together for the bracelets to be a reminder for them to spend time with God.

Time to Make the Snack!

Heads up! This is a good intro to the lesson. It would be good to pair it with Quiet time for older children.
Scripture But Martha was busy with all the things that had to be done. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, my sister has left me to do the work by myself. Don't you care? Tell her to help me!" Luke 10:40
Supplies ingredients, plates, utensils
  • This activity is best done as an introduction to the story. It might lose its meaning if done after your Bible story. The idea of this lesson is to get them thinking about the Bible story. Martha did have important things to get done, however, we need to step away from those important tasks to choose what is better (v. 42)
  • Cooking ideas:
  • Make peanut butter sandwiches
  • Peanut butter ball recipe (see "Are you Listening activity?" for recipe
  • Mix and bake cookies (or bake pre-made cookies)
  • Mix up a trail mix
  • Anything that will get the students involved in the task

Spring Cleaning

Heads up! This is a good activity for students to do as they are arriving
Scripture But Martha was busy with all the things that had to be done. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, my sister has left me to do the work by myself. Don't you care? Tell her to help me!" Luke 10:40
Supplies spray bottles, rags
  • Give students spray bottles filled with water and rags.
  • Allow them to clean tables, windows, etc
  • They love it!

Quiet Time-Younger Students

Scripture Mary sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was busy with all the things that had to be done. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, my sister has left me to do the work by myself. Don't you care? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered. "You are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better. And it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:39-42
Supplies paper and crayons, if you choose option 2
  • This activity has two options:

Option 1:

  • Sit students in a circle on the floor.
  • Explain that it is important for us to spend time talking to God.
  • Say a simple prayer, stopping at the end of each sentence to allow students to repeat the prayer. You can have them fill in the blanks, as well.
  • For example:
    • Thank you for____________.
    • Please take care of _____________.
    • Please help me with_______________.
Option 2:
  • Provide the students with paper and crayons.
  • Allow them to draw pictures of people they would like to pray for or things they are thankful for.

Are you listening?

Heads up! Recipe suggestion has peanuts. If you have students with peanut allergies, choose a different easy recipe
Scripture Luke 10:39-4
Supplies peanut butter, rice crispy cereal. honey, wheat germ, baking sheet, waxed paper
  • Students will complete cooking activity while listening to their teacher read Luke 10:38-42.
Recipe suggestion:
Peanut Butter Balls
  • 1-2 cups crispy rice cereal
  • 1/4 cup toasted wheat germ
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • Cover a baking sheet with waxed paper.
  • Stir together the peanut butter, honey, wheat germ, and 1 cup of rice cereal until well blended.
  • Roll mixture into 1 inch balls. If the dough is too sticky, add more cereal.
  • Place the balls on the waxed paper and refrigerate. (Can eat immediately, but are a bit more sticky)

As the students are following the recipe, read the Bible verses in a normal tone of voice.

After the students are done with the recipe, read the Comprehension Questions and see if they were able to concentrate on what you were saying

Feel free to give rewards to students who are able to answer questions correctly

Where Does my Time Go?

Scripture "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered. "You are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better. And it will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41-42)
Supplies Where Does My Time Go worksheet, colored markers or crayons
  • Give a "Where Does My Time Go" worksheet to each child
  • Begin by marking off the pie graph in quarters, with each quarter representing 6 hours.
  • At the bottom of the worksheet, walk the students through their typical day to determine what takes up most of their time.
  • Start with sleep and school, which take up most of the average child's day.
  • For each activity shade in the pie graph a certain color. You can also have them mark next to the activity with that color so they know the activity that color goes with.
  • Use the 6 hour blocks as guides to help them know how much to color in. (see the picture below for an example)
  • As they are working through the exercise, ask them if there are any activities that are interfering with them spending time with God.
Where Does my Time Go? Example
"Where Does My Time Go" Worksheet

Quiet Time-Older Students

Scripture Mary sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was busy with all the things that had to be done. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, my sister has left me to do the work by myself. Don't you care? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered. "You are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better. And it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:39-42
  • Talk to your students about the importance of taking time out of their day to spend alone time with God.
  • A friendship with God takes effort, just like a friendship with others.
  • This activity may be difficult for some children at first.
  • Encourage the students to find a spot in the room or the building where they can concentrate and spend time alone with God for 10-15 minutes
  • Depending on the maturity of the students, you may need to give them a place to start. This may be a list of things to pray about or a certain passage to read.