Teaching

Let’s say the SuperTruth together: “I will spend time with Jesus.”

In our game we saw how it’s easier to focus on just one thing instead of trying to do two things at once. In the Bible story, both Mary and Martha had a close relationship with Jesus—yet when Jesus visited their home, the women made different choices. What did Mary do? She sat at Jesus’ feet.

And what did Martha do? She worked to prepare a meal.

Do you think the purpose of this story is to show us that serving others and doing good deeds are not important? No!

Absolutely not! Jesus came to the earth to serve. He taught His disciples to do the same. The Bible teaches that faith without good deeds is dead or useless! (See James 2:17.) So we are definitely supposed to do those things—at the right time. Yet Jesus shows us in this story that the most important thing we can do is spend time with Him and listen to God’s Word. Our relationship with Jesus is our highest priority!

Jesus told Martha that she was worried and upset over all of the details of the meal. In other words, Martha was doing too much. The preparations were more than what was really needed at the time. If she kept things simple, she too could have spent time with Jesus. Martha welcomed Jesus into her home, yet she placed a higher priority on serving a meal instead of spending time with Him.

Read Luke 10:38–40:

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what He taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to You that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

Notice how she said Mary was just sitting. How did Martha view Mary’s decision to sit at Jesus’ feet? It was not the right choice. Listening was less important than her duties and responsibilities. She thought Mary’s priorities were wrong.

Did Jesus agree with Martha? No.

Read Luke 10:41–42:

But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.ˮ

Stand behind the bowl of water on the table and hold up the paper towel labeled “Mary.” This bowl represents Jesus. The water represents His Words. In the Bible, the Word of God is sometimes symbolized by water. Jesus was teaching His disciples as Mary sat at His feet. Fold the “Mary” towel loosely and place an edge in the water bowl and let it remain there. Hold up the towel labeled “Martha.”

Martha didn’t sit at Jesus’ feet; she was too busy for that! She moved back and forth, here and there, with the meal preparations. Move the towel dramatically around the table and bowl but never touch the bowl of water.

Perhaps Martha thought she could do both and multi-task; she could listen to some of Jesus’ words as she worked. Have you ever tried to spend time or talk with someone as they text or do something else? Does it work well? No; it can be disrespectful and rude. They miss some of what is said; their attention is divided.

I think we all have experienced this. We have probably done the same thing to other people—we’ve been too busy doing something to truly stop and listen to them. Imagine how Jesus must feel when He tries to share words of love and encouragement with us—yet we don’t really pay attention. Hold up the “Martha” paper towel again to show it is dry.

Does it look like Martha absorbed or soaked up any of Jesus’ words? No!

Hold up the Mary towel. Now, let’s look at Mary; this towel looks very different. In fact, it is saturated! Do you think she absorbed what Jesus said? Yes!

Yes, she soaked up Jesus’ Words. That is why Jesus said it would not be taken from her; the Word penetrated deep into her heart!

In Bible times, pupils sat at their teacher’s feet. The apostle Paul sat at the feet of a rabbi named Gamaliel to learn the Jewish customs and laws. (See Acts 22:3.) Sitting was a position of a true disciple that demonstrated devotion, respect, and a sincere desire to learn.

Are we willing to do what Mary did; to take the position of a true disciple? Will we stop and listen when Jesus is speaking to our hearts? Will we give Jesus a higher priority in our lives over the many tasks and activities of each day? The things of this world will pass away, but Jesus’ Words remain forever. (See Matthew 24:35.)

This is what our Discipleship Challenge is about; identifying and correcting things that can hinder, or hold back, our growth and relationship with Jesus.

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Display the model craft. Give each child a Lazarus Tomb Pattern, a small envelope, a pencil, and children’s scissors. Have tape available for children to tape the stone cut out from the Pattern onto back of the envelope. Optional: if the pattern is black and white, distribute crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers for children to color their crafts. Have children place the three Scripture Cloths in the envelope and close the stone (envelope flap) over the entrance, but do not seal it closed. Children can write their names on the back of their crafts. Assist any children with special needs.

In our video, how was Lazarus able to come out of his tomb? By God’s power. Jesus told the people to roll the stone aside, and He shouted for Lazarus to come out.

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead by the power and authority of His word. Jesus is the source of life. His Words gave Lazarus new life. When Lazarus came out of the tomb, what did Jesus tell the people to do? Jesus told the people to unwrap Lazarus.

Even though Jesus gave Lazarus new life, he was still bound in his grave clothes. That is what our Discipleship Challenge is all about. Roll the stone aside on your tomb and take out the burial cloth with the Number 1. What does it say? Hindrances; Hebrews 12:1-2a.

If you are a runner in a race but you have chains or weights around your legs, how well will you do? Not very well!

Read Hebrews 12:1–2a:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.

When we accept Jesus as our Savior, He gives us new life. However, we may still be bound by things that can hold us back.

What are some things that can hold us back in our Christian walk? Not praying, not going to church, not reading the Bible, getting angry quickly, fighting, disobeying our parents or teachers, laziness, watching videos we shouldn’t see, spending time with people who tempt us to do bad things, etc.

We need to be set free from everything that distracts us or holds us back. We want Jesus to be the Lord—the boss—of every aspect of our lives.

Your challenge for Lesson 1 is to think about what weights or chains are holding you back in your Christian walk. Take your craft home, then read and discuss these verses with your family. Ask God to help you identify things that may weigh you down in your daily walk with Jesus.

Pray and ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and strength to make changes in your life to “unwrap” you from the things that He shows you. Continue to pray each day for help. Next time, you’ll have a chance to share your experience with the class, if you’d like.