Read an Excerpt

Week 1: Introduction

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.
Luke 10 :38–39

Having a Mary heart in a Martha world?

Is it really possible? More than ever, I am convinced it is. Jesus wants to meet with you as surely as He met with Mary and Martha that long-ago day in Bethany. He wants to reveal Himself to you, filling you with His presence and His love so that His grace spills through you to a dry and thirsty world.

Though our initial introduction to Mary and Martha is only four verses long, I believe this brief story has the power to literally change our lives. So let’s begin! As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? 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 10:38–42)

Theme Verse
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

Discussion Questions

1. Before we begin this study, what preconceived ideas do you have about Mary and Martha? Which woman do you relate to most—Mary or Martha? Explain your answer.

2. One woman told me, “My life is like a blender—and it’s stuck on frappe!” What inanimate object best describes how your life currently feels, and why?

3. Read Matthew 11:28. What do Jesus’ words mean to you?

Session One Video

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Revelation 3:20, nkjv

The Story of Mary and Martha—the Story of You and Me, Luke 10:38–42
The Living Room Intimacy __________ God that we long for will never be found in Kitchen Service __________ God.

Discovering the Better Part

1. Martha opened her home (Luke 10:38).
• preparations—diakonia —____________________

2. Mary opened her heart (Luke 10:39).
• She made ____________ for time with Jesus.
• She did the _______________________.
• She ___________________ to Jesus.

The same invitation Jesus made to Martha is the invitation He makes to us:
“Come spend time with Me.… Allow My __________ to fill your life so that I can spill you to the world!”

Closing Time

I sense the Lord saying…

Make a Plan

God desires to transform you by the power of His Word. He wants to speak specific things to your heart over the next several weeks. What one thing could you do to get the most out of this study?

Prayer Requests

This Week’s A ssignment
• Follow through with your week 1 “Make a Plan” homework.
• Read chapters 1 and 2 in Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World.
• Answer week 2 study questions.
• Memorize Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”