Luke 10 v 38 – 42
Lesson Aim
To understand that being with Jesus is the most important thing we can do with our time.
Hook 1: Chair, play kitchen, toy plates and food
As you tell the story have two girls as the sisters, direct Martha to get a special, comfortable chair and place it in a prominent place for Jesus to sit on. Then get Martha to dust and hoover the area. Then ask Martha to prepare something for Jesus to drink and finally something for Jesus to eat. While this is taking place Mary should be sat on the floor next to the special chair.
Hook 2: Various pictures
Begin with a picture of someone special like the queen, a pop star, or a famous footballer. Explain that this person is coming to your house and describe the preparations which would take place before and during the visit. Use pictures of a duster, vacuum cleaner, drinks and food etc. Then describe how you could be so bothered by the preparations that you might miss speaking or listening to the visitor.
Then tell the story of Martha and Mary using the same pictures. As you hold up the picture explain the similarity or difference e.g. so and so was coming to my house but it was Jesus who went to Martha and Mary’s house; I might use a vacuum cleaner but Martha would have used a brush to sweep her floor.
Hook 3: Questions
Has anyone famous ever come to your house or your school? Who was it and what happened before their visit? Did everything have to look really clean and tidy? Today’s story is about a very special visitor who went to the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary.
Story tips:
The original story is quite short so you will probably have to time to talk about other special visitors. However, make sure that you emphasise Jesus’ visit and compare the actions of Martha and Mary.
Application
Martha did lots of thing when Jesus came to her house but she failed to spend time with Jesus. Mary did spend time listening to Jesus.
We must also learn from this story to spend time with Jesus, listening to his words as we read our Bibles and talking to him as we pray.