Mary and Martha

Children’s Chapel

July 17, 2016
Proper 11C

Welcome: Children will enter quietly and sit together on the floor. Welcome all children and ask if there are any new friends today.

Theme: Mary and Martha

Bible Reference: Luke 10:38-42

³⁸Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. ³⁹She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. ⁴⁰But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” ⁴¹But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; ⁴²there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

The Bible Story: (Read Aloud)

“Jesus is coming! Jesus is coming!” Mary probably shouted as she came running into the house where Martha was working. Mary and Martha were sisters who lived in the town of Bethany with their brother Lazarus. They had many friends, but Jesus was a very special friend.
Mary and Martha loved each other and shared the work of keeping their home clean. But now Mary was so happy she could hardly wait. It had been a long time since she had seen Jesus. He had been teaching and preaching in many places. Mary knew she would sit up late listening to Jesus talk about God.
Finally, Jesus and His disciples arrived, and Mary and Martha went to the door to welcome Him. Mary was so interested that she stopped her work when Jesus came. She sat close and listened to Jesus so she wouldn’t miss a single word He said. Jesus told many wonderful stories.
While Mary was listening to Jesus, Martha was worrying about getting dinner ready. She wanted everything to be “just right” for the meal they would serve Jesus and the other guests. She wanted everything to look and taste good!
Martha got tired of doing all the work by herself, so she complained to Jesus, “Lord, it isn’t fair that I am doing all the work while Martha just sits there! Tell her to come and help me.”
Jesus answered, “Martha, Martha, you worry about too many things. What Mary is hearing is more important to her than serving or eating. She has chosen the right thing and it will not be taken away from her.”
Response: Wow! Jesus spoke up for Mary, even though Martha thought she was being lazy. But Mary knew what was really important—spending time with Jesus and listening to His teaching. She knew it was a special opportunity to be near Jesus, and she didn’t want to miss anything!
Martha probably meant well, but she got distracted by the “busy-ness” of being a hostess and forgot that the Son of God deserved her full attention!
What about us? Do we give God our full attention? God knows that how we spend our time is important. We can work and play all day, but the most important thing we need to do is spend time with Jesus. We do that by praying, reading the Bible, and worshipping God at church. We have to stay connected to Jesus so we will know what He wants us to do.           

Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your presence who is with us always. Help us to seek you each day so that we may know you more and more each day. In your holy name.

Amen.

Response Activity: Mary and Martha craft