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Mary and Martha

Overview of material in this Rotation:

  • Bible Background
  • Art: Create a symbol from clay, using “rock art” techniques (carving rock) to remind us to balance our busy lives to include time with God.
  • Video: Learn about hospitality while watching the clay animation video “Martin the Cobbler.” Discuss hospitality as welcoming God into our lives. (Although other lessons posted here use this video, this lesson is included here because it is written for a DVD.)

Note: These workshops were written for 1st through 6th graders though not all grades visit all workshops.

Workshops also used, but not included here:

  • Cooking: Learn about hospitality in Jesus’ day and the types of food Martha may have prepared for her guests. We used: Bohbrink, Lisa. “Cooking Workshop: Martha's Kitchen in Bethany.” 2002. link
  • Games: Play a game that demonstrates listening and choices. We used: Faith Quest Lesson Sets at Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church. “Mary and Martha (Revised): Antioch Arcade.” 2005. http://www.kirkofkildaire.org/...sedAntiochArcade.htm
  • Drama: Experience the story of Mary and Martha by enacting the story. We used: Faith Quest Lesson Sets at Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church. “Mary and Martha (Revised): Apostle’s Playhouse.” 2005. http://www.kirkofkildaire.org/...postlesPlayhouse.htm

Scripture Reference:
Luke 10:38-42

Key Verse:
“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10a (NIV)

Rotation Objectives--at the end of the Rotation, kids should be able to:

  • Know the first four books in the New Testament – the Gospels.
  • Find the story in their Bible (3rd grade and up)
  • Recall the events of the story and restate them in their own words
  • Learn about home life in Bible times and the meaning and importance of hospitality
  • Understand the importance of taking time to sit at God’s feet – to listen to God’s Word
  • Discuss ways to balance our busy lives so as to make time to be with God

Bible Background:

We all lead busy lives. Even children have full schedules! What is one to do when faced with a list of numerous “good” activities? We place certain pursuits higher on the to-do list, while others wait in the wings. It’s a tricky process often requiring last minute juggling. The story of Mary and Martha speaks to this balancing act and urges us to be sure to include one critical item: spend time with God.

Story setting:
This story is found in the book of Luke. Mary and Martha are mentioned (along with their brother Lazarus) in two other places in the Gospels: John 11:1-44, and John 12:1-11. It is John’s Gospel that identifies Mary and Martha’s village as Bethany. From John we also learn of the close relationship between Jesus and this family: “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” (John 11:5) (A separate Rotation will cover Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.)

Bethany is about two miles from Jerusalem at the eastern edge of the Mount of Olives. Jesus and his disciples were on their way to Jerusalem and thus stopped to visit their friends. We don’t know how many people descended on Martha’s home, at least 13, perhaps more since many people were following Jesus.

During Jesus’ visit, preparations were underway for the Feast of the Tabernacles, also known as Sukkot . This festival lasted seven days and was a time of great joy and thanksgiving. All men who lived within a 15-mile radius of Jerusalem were required to come to celebrate. With its close proximity to Jerusalem, Bethany turned into a very busy place – sort of like a UM game Saturday in Ann Arbor. Sukkot celebrated the harvest and reminded the Jewish people of the wanderings of their ancestors in the desert after the exodus from Egypt. Sukkot is still observed by Jews today. Most recently it occurred between October 17th and 24th, 2005.

First century Jewish home life:
Examining this story gives us an opportunity to briefly look at the everyday life of Jewish homes and women in particular. Women were responsible for many jobs including drawing water, grinding grain, making tents, taking care of guests, making clothes and in general managing the affairs of the household. Wealthy women often used slaves to help out with these tasks. Since no work could be done on the Sabbath, the day before was filled with frantic activity. Feasts and special occasions required even more preparations!

Women were responsible for preparing food for their families. Bread was a staple in the Jewish home. The first task in the morning was baking bread, which began with grinding grain. In addition to bread, the Near Eastern diet included simple items such as fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, grains, honey, goat’s milk, cheese and occasionally meat and fish.

Back to the story – characters & feelings:
Who are these two women? Martha bustles about cleaning, cooking and preparing for the guests. The Bible tells us she “was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.” (Luke 10:40) The original Greek word for Martha’s actions, perispao, is to be “over-occupied about a thing, drawn away.” Another meaning of the word is “to drag all around.” Can’t you see Martha dragging all her expectations around behind her, weighing her down?

In contrast with Martha’s pragmatic and busy nature, Mary was the more contemplative sister. She was more interested in absorbing every word that Jesus spoke. Her choice was also radical; to sit at the feet of Jesus broke with Jewish tradition. When rabbis taught, they sat down with their disciples sitting at their feet – their disciples being all men. Some rabbis considered it sinful to teach women the Law. Jesus, of course, turned all of these traditions upside down, for not only did he speak to women and take their hands, he welcomed them to join his band of followers.

Martha is obviously not happy with Mary’s choice, especially since she feels over-burdened with all the work. Finally, Martha can stand it no longer! It just isn’t fair. She marches in and confronts Jesus: “Lord, don’t you care? … Tell her to help me!” (Luke 10:40b,c)

A better choice?
Imagine Martha’s interrupting outburst stopping all conversation in the room! Listen to Jesus’ response:

“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.”

In the literature of the times, calling a name twice signified intimacy. Jesus is rebuking Martha but also reaching out to gently instruct her. But what is Jesus saying?

  • Is Jesus saying preparing meals isn’t important?
  • Is he hinting that a simpler approach would have been fine?
  • Was Martha’s work not appreciated? (She was, after all, doing all this for Jesus!)
  • Is Jesus suggesting that active service should be completely replaced with thoughtful mediation?

What Jesus is attempting to teach Martha (and us!) is this: it is important to take time to sit at the feet of Jesus. Jesus is not condemning Martha’s activities so much as he is commending Mary’s. Martha’s choice is not bad. The distinction is between something that is good and something that is better.

Our story?
Can you see yourself in this story? Can you easily identify with Martha, full of busyness, troubled by distractions? Do you long to be like Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus, absorbing and learning? Luckily there is more to this story than identifying with the characters. “This is a story of two different responses to one singular occasion. In it, we should find not our personality type, but the kind of heart Christ longs for us to have. A heart centered in him alone.” (Weaver, 101) What Jesus wants is for us to make the better choice.

It’s important to note that each sister wanted to serve Jesus. Jesus’ rebuke of Martha was not to say that it was not important to serve others. Indeed, this story immediately follows that of the Good Samaritan, where Jesus taught the importance of serving one’s neighbor. Jesus wants us to know that no amount of busy-ness of life is more important than the most important thing: taking time for God! “The Kingdom of God is a paradox… the world clamors for us to do more, be more. But God whispers to us ‘Be still and know that I am God.’” (Weaver, 9)

Admittedly, this takes a balancing act – one that is often not easy. How do we take time to sit at Jesus’ feet? This will be explored further with the children as well as why it is so important to do so. Jesus is inviting us to share a close, personal relationship with him. The only real requirement is to show up with an open heart, ready to receive. Christ wants to spend time with us.

The rest of the story?
How did Martha respond to Jesus’ rebuke? Did she slink off and sulk in the kitchen? Did she stamp her foot and shout back at Jesus? We don’t know, because the scripture ends with Jesus’ words. We can surmise however, based on her transformation later on, that Martha indeed had a teachable spirit. The Martha we see later in John’s gospel is no longer harried and resentful, but full of faith and trust. When her brother Lazarus dies and is in the tomb for four days, Martha leaves her household and rushes out to meet Jesus. Jesus tells Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:25-26) And Martha replies with great faith and trust, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”


References:

  • Baird, William. The Interpreter’s One-Volume Commentary on the Bible: Luke. Nashville: Abingdon, 1971.
  • Bock, Darrell L. “Luke.” Volume 3,The IVP New Testament Commentary Series. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994.
  • Brownrigg, Ronald. Who’s Who in the Bible. NY: Bonanza Books, 1980.
  • Butler, Trent C. Editor. “Entry for Hospitality.” Holman Bible Dictionary. 1991. https://www.studylight.org/dic...d/h/hospitality.html
  • Deffinbaugh, Robert L. “When Martha was Mad at the Master.” 2005. https://bible.org/seriespage/3...-master-luke-1038-42
  • G.R.E.A.T. Adventure Dream Team at State Street United Methodist Church, Bristol, VA. “Mary and Martha – Finding the Balance!” 2002. (Obtained from Jaymie Derden- Overview & Background Information)
  • Rich, Tracey R. “Judaism 101: Sukkot.” 2005. http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday5.htm
  • Weaver, Joanna. Having A Mary Heart in A Martha World. Colorado Springs: Waterbrook, 2002.
Except as noted, Scripture quoted is taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

A Lesson Set written by Carol Hulbert from:
First United Methodist Church
120 S. State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Copyright 2005 First United Methodist Church, Ann Arbor, MI.
Permission to copy materials granted for non-commercial use provided credit is given and all cited references remain with this material

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Mary and Martha

Art Workshop


Summary of Lesson Activities:
Create a symbol from clay using “rock art” techniques (carving in “rock") to remind us to balance our busy lives to include spending time with God.

Scripture Reference:
Luke 10:38-42

Key/Memory Verse:
“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10a (NIV)

For objectives and background - see here.


Supplies List:

  • Bibles (for 3rd grade and up); at least one purple Adventure Bible
  • Table covers
  • Amaco “Stonex” (white, air-hardening clay supplied in moist form, 5 lb block made 43 rocks)
  • Acrylic paint, color: burnt umber
  • Paint brushes – soft round brush & stiff stencil brush (size ½")
  • Native American symbols sheet
  • Scratch paper, pencils
  • Embossing tools
  • Wax paper, paper towel (if decide to have students make “rocks” for the next class)


Leader Preparation:

  • Read the scripture for this lesson.
  • Read and reflect on the overview material provided for this lesson.
  • Gather the supplies.


Preparation Ahead of Time:

From the smaller end of the clay, slice off a ¼” thick slab. Cut into four pieces. Continue cutting slabs/pieces to have one per student plus extras. Form each piece of clay into a flattened rock shape. Allow pieces to air-dry. When dry, paint the “rock” a Burnt Umber color. Before this paint dries use the stencil brush to firmly stipple the rock so that small specks of the white clay show through the paint thus creating a rough-textured rock lock.

Note: keep unused clay tightly sealed!



Presentation

Opening - Welcome and Lesson Introduction:
Greet your students warmly, welcoming them to the Art Workshop. Introduce yourself and any other adults.

Pass around a basket to collect any offering.

Ask for any prayer requests. Ask if anyone would like to lead the group in prayer. Be prepared to say a prayer yourself, working in prayer requests. A suggestion: “Dear God, we are thankful to be here today among friends. We are thankful we can hear Bible stories that teach us about Jesus. After we have listened with our ears, we are thankful for the chance to be creative with our hands – to create art that we carry home with us, to remind us what we learn about you. Amen”

Dig - Main Content and Reflection:
Ask them about being busy in their lives – school, what other activities are they involved in (sports, scouts, clubs, etc.) Ask if they take time to relax. Mention that Jesus scheduled downtime into his life. He taught and healed but then took time out to pray to God. He also spent time with friends.

Say: Let’s read about a Bible story that describes a time Jesus spent with some friends.


[Review the organization of the Bible]

Ask: The Bible is divided into two sections, what are they? (Old & New Testament)

If we want to read a story about Jesus, where would we find it – in the Old Testament or the New Testament of the Bible? (NT)

What do we call these first four books of the New Testament? (the Gospels)

Say: The word Gospel means “good news.” Jesus teaches us the good news. Part of that good news is that Jesus wants to be a part of our lives – it’s like he wants us to be a part of his loving family. When we read the Gospels we learn about what sort of a relationship we can have with Jesus. In this story we learn about how Jesus wants us to spend time with him.

For 1st and 2nd graders:
Say: We find our story in the New Testament of the Bible, in the Gospel of Luke.

Use a purple Adventure Bible to read Luke 10:38-42.

For 3rd grade and up:
Distribute Bibles. [Praise those who have brought their own Bibles.]

Have everyone find Luke, chapter 10, verse 38 in his or her Bible.

[Remind them of the quick way to find the New Testament.]

Have everyone take turns reading verses 38-42.

For all students:
Say: Our story starts off with Jesus and his disciples traveling on their way to Jerusalem. It is time for the Jewish festival called the “Feast of the Tabernacles.”

Ask: Has anyone every heard of the Feast of the Tabernacles?

Say: The Feast of the Tabernacles (also called Sukkot - Pronounced “sue-coat" was a harvest celebration and a time to remember their ancestors wandering in the desert for 40 years after the exodus from Egypt. Sukkot is still observed by Jews today; in fact it was last month (Oct).

Say: Martha welcomes Jesus into her home. From other stories in the Bible we know that Mary and Martha live with their brother Lazarus in the town of Bethany. Bethany was not too far from Jerusalem. Showing hospitality, or welcoming people into your home, was very important in Old Testament times and during Jesus’ time. It wasn’t done just to show good manners, it was considered a sacred duty that everyone was expected to follow.

Ask:

  • Martha has company coming to visit. What is Martha’s priority; what does Martha choose to do when Jesus visits? (verse 40: “many tasks,” cooking, serving)
  • What is Mary’s priority? (v. 39: sat at Jesus’ feet, listening)
  • Do these two different choices cause a problem? (Martha gets upset)
  • Then what happens? (v. 41-42)
  • What was Jesus trying to teach Martha? (is important to serve others – as Martha did, but listening to Jesus and learning from him was the most important thing)


Say: Martha was performing an important task, taking care of her guests but she was missing out on spending time with Jesus.

Ask:

  • Do you sometimes find yourself busy, upset, and troubled like Martha?
  • What would help you remember to be more like Mary?


Say: Sometimes we need a reminder to stop our busy lives, and take time to spend with Jesus. Today’s art project can serve as a reminder to take that important time to be with God.

Introduce the art project:
Say: We are going to use an ancient art form, and carve in rock to create a petroglyph. In this country Native Americans created petroglyphs by scratching or “pecking” onto rock formations. The process was called pecking because it chipped away the surface of the rock to create a design. The images were very simple because it’s hard to chip rock. It’s been reported that some designs have 25 to 100 dents per inch. That’s very careful carving!

Say: [Show a “rock.”] We are going to be making our petroglyphs on these rocks, which are really dried clay that has been painted. Since this isn’t real rock it will be easier to carve a design. There are two sides to these rocks so you have a chance to create two designs. For your first design, create a symbol that will remind you to take time to sit at the feet of Jesus.

Pass out scratch paper and pencils and encourage everyone to plan their symbol. [Avoid “wasting” rocks!] Remind them that symbols need to be simple.

Help with symbol creation:
Avoid telling students what symbol to create. Brainstorm as a group with the easel. Try these questions:

  • How would we spend time with Jesus? (reading Bible, praying, etc.)
  • What are you doing when you are spending time with God?
  • Where are you?
  • What sound(s) do you hear?
  • What represents making a space for God? (Physical space? Making time in your day?)


Draw on the easel, an example of a Native American symbol from the sheet provided (one of the easy ones - water, or journey). Point out how these are very simple. Think stick figures or geometric shapes. [This will admittedly be harder for the younger students. The older students visiting early may help give you ideas.]

When students get to the point where they want to create a second symbol on the other side of their “rock” have them create a symbol that shows something they do that’s important to them or something they spend a lot of time doing.

Discussion: (while the kids are working)
Ask:
[If it didn’t get discussed when talking about symbols.]

  • How would we spend time with Jesus? (reading the Bible, praying, worshipping, etc.)
  • What does it mean for you to listen to Jesus?
  • What helps you listen?
  • What can distract you?

Say: Your rock will help you to remember to push aside those distractions and spend time with God.

Ask:

  • Why should we spend time with God?
  • When you spend time with friends does that help you to get to know them better?
  • In the process do you also learn something about yourself?
  • Do you suppose the same things happen if you spend more time with God?

Say: Jesus’ story teaches us to spend more time with God so as to have a close, loving relationship with him and discover God’s plan for us. God wants to bless us.

Say: On one side of your stone is a symbol of spending time with Jesus. On the other side could be a symbol of other important parts of your life. Having these two types of symbols on opposite sides of the stone helps us think that to do one, you can’t also be doing the other. It’s really a balancing act – making time for the important things we have to do in life and also having time for God. [Could explain this using the wooden balance.]

Petroglyph factoids to share:

  • The word petroglyph comes from the Latin word for rock, “petro” and the Greek word “glyph,” for carved work.
  • Sometimes called “rock art.”
  • Why was it created? Could be to leave messages for others, or as a “memory trigger” to remember details of a story, or could be like graffiti.
  • Petroglyphs created in rock required the use of a pointed shaped rock (a primitive tool) to “peck” away the surface of a rock.
  • Petroglyphs can be found in many areas of the United States. Petroglyphs were also created by other cultures in other parts of the world.


Say: Our key Bible verse for this month is from Psalm 46 verse 10, “Be still and know that I am God.”

Ask:

  • How does this verse tie into our lesson on the importance of taking time to sit at the feet of Jesus?
  • We can be still, by sitting still. Is that all that is required, to be still and not move?
  • What about getting our mind to be still – to keep our thoughts on Jesus? (not easy!)


Closing:
Say: We learn Bible stories not just to learn about people or events that happened. We also learn Bible stories because they teach us how we should live today! This story tells us that we need to remember to make time for God. We have many busy things to do, some of them are important; some may seem to be important. Use your rock art to remind you to take time to be still and learn from God.


If you have extra time:

  • Have students share their rock art, explaining a bit about their symbols.
  • Make more rocks:

Have 5th and 6th grades (who visit early in the Rotation) form the clay into rock shapes for the younger students. Have them do this on pieces of wax paper. Ask them to wipe as much of the clay off their hands with paper towel before washing their hands. Have each group make at least 12 “rocks.”

  • Breath prayer:

Talk about breathing: how we breathe without even thinking about it. Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Ask the children to blow on their hands to see if they can feel their breath.

Say: Even though we can’t see God, he promises to always be with us, as close to you as your own breath. God is always with you.

Say: A “breath prayer” is a very simple prayer that is repeated over and over as you breathe in and breathe out. Say, “God is” as you breathe in and “with me” as you breathe out. Say it very quietly while you breathe. It will take some practice to talk quietly as you breathe.

Remind the children that they can say this prayer anytime and anywhere and it will help them remember that God is always with them.


Resources:

  • G.R.E.A.T. Adventure Dream Team at State Street United Methodist Church, Bristol, VA. “Mary and Martha – Finding the Balance! Overview and Background Information.” 2002.
  • Stokes, William Michael and William Lee Stokes. Messages on Stone. Salt Lake City: Starstone Publishing, 1980.
  • “Talking Rocks.” 2005 Lesson Plans. 2005.
  • Native American symbol sheet found at: http://www.artsconnected.org/a...rocks/symdet2ko.html
  • Sites that describe “rock art” and petroglyphs:
    “About the Art.” http://www.artsconnected.org/a.../identity/white.html
    “Carve a Petroglyph.”
  • Scripture quoted is taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.



A Lesson Set written by Carol Hulbert
First United Methodist Church
120 S. State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Copyright 2005 First United Methodist Church, Ann Arbor, MI.
Permission to copy materials granted for non-commercial use provided credit is given and all cited references remain with this material

If you use this material, even in a modified form, please include the following reference:
Hulbert, Carol. Lesson set posted at rotation.org: Mary and Martha – Art Lesson." Nov./05. Place URL where lesson found inside angle brackets<>.

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

Last edited by Luanne Payne

Mary and Martha

Video Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:
Learn about hospitality while watching the clay animation video “Martin the Cobbler.” Discuss hospitality as welcoming God into our lives.

Scripture Reference:
Luke 10:38-42

Key/Memory Verse:
“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10a (NIV)

For objectives and background - see here.


Supplies List:

  • The video: DVD Reference: Martin the Cobbler. 2005. http://www.billybuddfilms.com/
  • Snack items: goldfish crackers, paper cups, napkins, water pitcher
  • Bibles; at least one purple Adventure Bible
  • Story Bible for 1st and 2nd grade – Read with Me Bible
  • Easel with paper or white board easel; appropriate marker

Leader Preparation:

  • Read the scripture for this lesson.
  • Read and reflect on the overview material provided for this lesson.
  • Preview the DVD.
  • Gather the supplies.

Preparation That Day:

  • Make sure you know how to use the TV/DVD, especially how to scan forward and backward.
  • Start the DVD. In the interest of time, we’ll start the video about 7 minutes into the story. SCAN FORWARD to where Martin falls asleep drunk at the table. STOP when the screen goes dark, at 7:18. (At the appointed time in the lesson when you press PLAY it should start at this point. The next scene will be the visit of the “Holy Man.")


Presentation

Opening - Welcome and Lesson Introduction:
Greet your students warmly, welcoming them to the video workshop. Introduce yourself and any other adults.

[Note: The Shepherd will quietly take attendance, etc. while you are starting your lesson.]

Say: Let’s begin with prayer. Ask for any prayer requests. Ask if anyone would like to lead the group in prayer. Be prepared to say a prayer yourself, working in prayer requests. A suggestion: “Loving God, Thank you for this time together with our friends. We enjoy coming together each week to hear about your love for us. We are learning that it is important to make time in our busy days to look and listen for you. Spending time with you fills us with your love. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen”

Dig - Main Content and Reflection:

Ask:

  • What would you do if someone famous came over to your house tomorrow for lunch? (Suggest a popular singer or sports star that kids are likely to know.)
  • How would you prepare for the visit? (allow all answers – perhaps clean, pick up toys)
  • When the guest arrives, what would you do – would you go back in the kitchen to cook while the guest talks and visits with the rest of your family?
  • Would you want to be right there listening to every word of your honored guest?
  • Have you ever heard the word “hospitality” – what does it mean? (to welcome someone, to be kind, to treat someone kindly)

Say: When you mentioned the ways you would get ready to have a guest – that’s hospitality. You put out clean towels so they feel welcomed in your home. But there’s actually another kind of hospitality: how you treat the guest once they’ve arrived.

Listen in our Bible story for the ways that two sisters, named Mary and Martha, behave when an honored guest arrives in their home.

[Review the organization of the Bible]

Ask:

  • The Bible is divided into two sections, what are they? (Old & New Testament)
  • If we want to read a story about Jesus, where would we find it – in the Old Testament or the New Testament of the Bible?
  • What do we call these first four books of the New Testament? (the Gospels)

Say: The word “gospel” means “good news.” Jesus teaches us the good news about God’s love for us.

For 1st and 2nd graders:
Read them pages 329 to 333 in the

Read with Me Bible. Show the pictures as you read.

For 3rd grade and up:
Distribute Bibles if needed. Encourage everyone to bring his or her Bibles every week. Have them find the story in Luke, chapter 10, verse 38. [Remind them of the quick way to find the New Testament. ]

Say: In this story Martha’s sister Mary sits as Jesus’ feet to listen. Listen now while I read you this story.

Use a purple Adventure Bible to read Luke 10:38-42.

(Even though you are reading the story, it’s important to have the students find the story in their Bibles.)

For all students:

Ask:

  • Who are the characters in the story? (Jesus, Martha, Mary)
  • We were to listen for how Mary and Martha acted when an honored guest, Jesus, came to their house. What did Mary do? (sat and listened to Jesus)
  • What did Martha do? (was busy)
  • What do you suppose Martha was busy doing when Jesus came to visit?

Say: We talked about two types of hospitality. Martha was showing the “getting ready” type of hospitality.

Ask:

  • How did Mary show hospitality? (in a different way, by sitting with Jesus listening)
  • Martha and Mary showed hospitality to Jesus who was their friend. Do you suppose hospitality and kindness can be shown to people you don’t know? (yes!)

Say: In Bible-times hospitality, especially to strangers, was very important. When a traveler stopped at your house you offered water to wash their dusty feet and you offered them a meal and a place to sleep.

Introduce the Video:
Say: As we watch our video notice that there is something amazing that happens when people are kind and show hospitality.

Say: Our video today is called “Martin the Cobbler.”

Ask: What’s a cobbler? (someone who fixes shoes, boots, leather goods)

[Have the Shepherd distribute the snack.]

Say: Martin is an old man. Martin’s wife and son have died and he now lives alone. He is very sad and unhappy. He blames God. Sometimes when bad things happen to people they get angry with God. We will hear Martin say, “God and I have not been getting on well.” That is sort of like saying that he and God aren’t friends. Martin seems to have lost hope for any happiness in life. One day, a holy man (like a minister) leaves an old Bible for Martin to repair. Let’s see what happens as Martin reads from the Bible.

Show the Video:
Using the DVD, choose PLAY (should start at visit of the Holy Man, at 7:18).

VIEW the Holy Man’s visit and Martin reading the Bible.

PAUSE after Martin says, “If the Lord were my guest I would give him all the signs of welcome.” (at 12:25)

Say: Martin was reading from the New Testament, in Luke. He read about someone, he calls him a merchant, who has Jesus as a guest at his home but treats Jesus poorly. Martin says that if the Lord were his guest, he would show him signs of welcome.

Ask: What are signs of welcome? (showing hospitality)

Say: In the next scene Martin falls asleep and has a dream.

VIEW dream, visit of street sweeper and woman with a baby.

PAUSE after woman kisses Martin and leaves. (at 19:45)

Ask: Why does Martin keep looking out the window? (is expecting the Lord to visit)

What is Martin doing for the people he sees outside his window? (being kind)

Say: We didn’t watch the very beginning of the video – the shawl Martin gave the woman – that had been his wife’s shawl. It was special to him but he gave it away because the woman was cold.

VIEW evening coming, visit with old woman and young boy.

PAUSE when Martin sits down at the table. (at 23:49)

Say: It is getting to be the end of the day.

Ask: Is Martin still expecting the Lord to visit?

Do you suppose Martin is disappointed that Jesus hasn’t come?

Say: In this video all the characters are made of clay. The clay figures are filmed a little bit, then moved and filmed a little more, and moved, and so on, so as to create lifelike action. In this next scene we will see clay used in an unusual way.

VIEW God speaking to Martin.

STOP when Martin looks up to the left after he reads in the Bible, “…whatever you do unto me….” (at 25:43)

Discussion:

Ask:

  • When Martin thought the Lord was coming to visit, how did he act? (watching, ready to welcome)
  • As Martin waited to welcome Jesus, what happened to Martin? (noticed people in need, was kind to them)
  • As a result of welcoming people and being helpful, what did Martin get in return? (happiness, he laughed, seemed to have new outlook)
  • When the clay changed into all the different visitors, what lesson was Martin learning? (welcoming other people into his home is like welcoming the Lord)


Say: When we are showing hospitality – showing loving kindness to others – we are welcoming God into our lives.

Ask: In the video Martin was changed. Do you suppose being welcoming changes us?

Say: Good comes to us when we are welcoming and accept God into our lives.

Say: In our Bible story Martha was a busy bee. She showed her hospitality by cooking and preparing her home for visitors. Mary showed hospitality by listening to Jesus.

Ask: Do you think Martin was more like Mary or Martha? Why?

Welcoming and listening to others – is that the only way to welcome God into our lives?

What practices could you institute in your daily life that would make you more like Mary/Martin? [list some on the easel – really listening to friends & family; looking for needs & trying to meet them if possible (example: pay attention to M&M project!); spending time in prayer – listening to God; spending time reading (or listening to someone read) God’ word.]

Closing:
Say: Jesus told Martha that all her busyness and dinner preparations were distracted her from the most important thing. Jesus didn’t mean that preparing food wasn’t important. He just wanted Martha, and all of us, to take time to welcome God into our lives.


Resources:

  • Faith Quest Lesson Sets at Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church. “Mary and Martha (Revised): Holywood.” 2005. http://www.kirkofkildaire.org/...MRevisedHolywood.htm
  • G.R.E.A.T. Adventure Dream Team at State Street United Methodist Church, Bristol, VA. “Video Workshop Mary and Martha – Finding the Balance!” 2002. (Obtained from Jaymie Derden)
  • Read with Me Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1993.
  • Scripture quoted is taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.



A Lesson Set written by Carol Hulbert
First United Methodist Church
120 S. State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Copyright 2005 First United Methodist Church, Ann Arbor, MI.
Permission to copy materials granted for non-commercial use provided credit is given and all cited references remain with this material

If you use this material, even in a modified form, please include the following reference:
Hulbert, Carol. Lesson set posted at rotation.org: Mary and Martha – Art Lesson." Nov./05. Place URL where lesson found inside angle brackets<>.

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

Last edited by Luanne Payne

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