Mary and Martha Bible Verse This is how the love of God is revealed to us: God has sent his only Son into the world so that we can live through him. (1 John 4:9) Session 8 January 25 Bible Story Luke 10:38-42 Leap of Faith Jesus shows me God s love. Before You Begin The Gospel of Luke is the gospel of the poor and the outcast, and of Jesus ministry to them. In Bible times, women were among those considered to be on the fringe of society. Because so much focus in the New Testament is on the twelve men who comprised the inner circle of Jesus followers, we often forget that Jesus had women followers as well. Some were unnamed in the Scriptures, but most of us should be familiar with Mary and Martha, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna. Jesus and his disciples traveled from town to town. Families often welcomed him and his followers into their homes. These families provided food for Jesus and his followers, and gave them a place to sleep. Mary and Martha, who lived in Galilee, opened their home for Jesus in today s story. In society at that time, the women in a household were required to prepare a big meal for any guests. Martha begins to prepare a big meal for Jesus, and probably for all of his disciples, while Mary is listening to Jesus teachings. Mary is breaking a clear social boundary by behaving like a man to learn from Jesus. Martha protests to Jesus. Mary is clearly in the wrong, but Jesus disagrees. Although Martha is fulfilling the role society has given her, she is distracted from the most important role of discipleship learning from Jesus stories. While Martha tries to tell Jesus what he should do, Mary listens to what Jesus tells her to do: To love God with all one s heart and to love one s neighbor as oneself meant then and now that one must often reject society s rules in favor of the codes of the kingdom. Young children often hear the story of Mary and Martha, and decide that Martha is bad while Mary is good. Help the children understand that Jesus valued both women and knew that the talents and gifts of each of them was important. It is important to care for others, but it is also important to learn about God. Talk with your children about some ways they can be close to Jesus learn Bible stories about Jesus, tell friends and family about Jesus, serve others, and pray. Requires preparation. Winter 2014 15 Session 8 GrowProclaimServe.com 61
Grow Together The following activities may be done in learning centers as the children arrive or may be done with the entire group. Welcome Supplies: Bible, Stickers, Resource Pak, CD-ROM, CD player, offering basket Greet each parent and child as they arrive. Play music (CD-ROM) to make your room cheerful. Show the children where to place their offerings on the worship table. Have the Bible open to Luke 10. Give each child today s Sticker for the Attendance Chart (Resource Pak pp. 2 and 23). Martha s Table Supplies: Reproducible 8b, crayons or markers Make a photocopy of Martha s Table (Reproducible 8b) for each child. Give each child a copy of the reproducible page. Encourage each child to color the picture of the place setting. Read the Bible verse on the page to the children: This is how the love of God is revealed to us: God has sent his only Son into the world so that we can live through him (1 John 4:9). SAY: Today we will continue learning about ways Jesus showed God s love. We will meet two sisters, Mary and Martha. Mary and Martha are good at different things. Do you have any brothers or sisters? Do you like to do the same things? (Give each child an opportunity to answer.) TIP To make this craft a more creative experience, invite the children to use watercolor paints and paint to this month s song. Bible Puzzlers Supplies: Bible Story Pak, crayons or markers Give each child Match Martha s Supplies and Mary-and-Martha Coloring Page (Bible Story Pak Session 8, pp. 3 4). Invite the children to draw a line between each matching item on page 3. Encourage the children to turn over their papers. Encourage the children to color the picture. SAY: Jesus came to visit Mary and Martha. Jesus was a special guest, and Martha wanted everything to be perfect. Mary knew Jesus was a special guest and wanted to spend as much time with him as she could. Have you ever had a special guest visit you? Did anyone in your family cook and clean to prepare for your guest? What did you do when your guest came to visit? (Give each child an opportunity to answer.) 62 January 25 GROW Proclaim Serve Early Elementary Leader s Guide
Bible Story Center Supplies: Bible Story Pak Give each child the story, Mary and Martha (Bible Story Pak Session 8, pp. 1 2). Show each child how to fold the page in half to create a storybook. Read the story as the children follow along in their books. If you are using the storybook in a story center, read the story to three children at a time. Help the children identify simple words in the story. If you have readers, let them read the story to you. ASK: Who came to stay with Mary and Martha? (Jesus) What did Mary do when Jesus arrived? (She sat down at his feet and listened to him teach.) What did Martha do when Jesus arrived? (She cooked a big meal, and cleaned and served everyone.) How do you think Martha felt doing all of the work while Mary sat with Jesus? (Give each child an opportunity to answer.) What did Jesus say when Martha got upset about Mary not helping her? (He said that Mary had chosen to do something important too learning from him.) Focus-on-Jesus Glasses Supplies: Fun Pak, gluesticks Give each child the Focus-on-Jesus Glasses page (Fun Pak p. 21). Invite each child to punch out the three pieces. Encourage each child to glue the glasses arms to each side of the glasses frame. Invite the children to wear their glasses to help them focus on Jesus, like Mary does in our story today. SAY: In today s story, Mary chooses to focus on Jesus instead of getting distracted by chores. It is important to serve others, like Martha does, but it is also important to make time to learn about Jesus and God. Housekeeping Fun Supplies: play kitchen set, broom, dustpan, dust mop, dust cloth, play dishes, play food Set up Mary and Martha s house by setting out a pretend kitchen and cleaning supplies appropriate for children. SAY: Let s pretend we are going to have a very special guest today. Everyone needs to help clean up, set the table, or prepare the food our guests will eat. We will be very busy! Today our Bible story is about Mary and Martha and Jesus, their special guest and friend. We will find out just how busy Mary and Martha were. Let the children play for a little while so they have time to get into the experiences of Martha. When you are ready, move the children to the Bible story center. Winter 2014 15 Session 8 GrowProclaimServe.com 63
Proclaim the Word Which Is the Better Choice? Supplies: Reproducible 8c, colored pencils Make a photocopy of Which Is the Better Choice? (Reproducible 8c) for each child. Give each child a copy of the reproducible page. Talk about what is happening in each set of pictures. Invite the children to choose the right choice illustrated in the two images of each set. They should color the picture of the best choice in each set. SAY: Was it easy to know which choice was the best choice in each set of pictures? (Give each child an opportunity to answer.) In today s story, Mary and Martha have to choose the right thing to do. Visit Leaper s Pointe Supplies: DVD, DVD player, television Play the theme song from Leaper s Pointe in Concert, Talkin bout Faith (DVD). Have the children do the motions suggested in the chorus. SAY: Gabby and the mayor are helping Papa B with story time, but it looks like the mayor is doing all of the work while Gabby sits, listening to the story. Show the children the Leaper s Pointe video for today s session (DVD). Show today s Leaper s Pointe in Concert, One Heart at a Time (DVD). Have the children sign the Bible verse at the end of the episode. TIP You can see the lyrics for One Heart at a Time on page 126, and the Bible verse sign language on page 123. Hear the Bible Story Supplies: Reproducible 8a Read the Bible story, Mary and Martha (Reproducible 8a), to the children. When the story is talking about Mary, invite the children to sit and pray. When the story is talking about Martha, invite the children to stand and pretend to clean the room. Learn the Bible Verse Supplies: Resource Pak Point to the Bible Verse Poster (Resource Pak p. 22). Say the Bible verse: This is how the love of God is revealed to us: God has sent his only Son into the world so that we can live through him (1 John 4:9). Have the children repeat the verse with you. Break the verse into smaller groups of words at first until they can say the whole verse with you. Sing the song, Jesus Teaches (see column at right). Sing it several times so the children become familiar with the words. Jesus Teaches (Tune of: Frere Jacques) Jesus teaches, Jesus teaches about God, about God teaches about God s love, teaches about God s love. God loves us, God loves us. 64 January 25 GROW Proclaim Serve Early Elementary Leader s Guide
If You Hear Me... SAY: In today s story, Jesus tells Martha that even though Mary wasn t helping cook and clean, she was doing something important listening to Jesus teach. It is important to listen to stories about Jesus, but sometimes listening can be hard. We are going to play a game. I want to see how well you can listen. Encourage the children to listen very closely and to do what you instruct them to do. Use a very soft whisper to give instructions. SAY: If you hear me... touch your nose. touch your toes. make a fish face. reach toward the ceiling. wiggle your fingers. shake your hips. rub your belly. act like a monkey. SAY: Mary was good at listening. When you are asked to listen to your family or teachers, is it hard or easy? (Give the children time to answer, and talk about why it might be hard to listen.) TIP This game is also a great classroom management tool. The next time your class is getting a little unruly, whisper, If you hear me, touch your nose. You ll be amazed how quickly things can quiet down if you choose to whisper instead of getting louder. Paint With Martha s Utensils Supplies: card stock; washable tempera paint; paper plates; mixing spoons, whisks, and other cooking utensils you don t mind painting with; smocks; baby wipes Pour a little of each paint color onto a paper plate. Each group of four children will share a paint plate. Give each child a smock and a piece of card stock. Invite the children to choose a utensil to paint with. Remind them that they will all share the utensils, so everyone will have a chance to paint with every tool he or she would like to use. Encourage each child to paint on the card stock with the utensils. Invite the children to set their paintings somewhere to dry. Help each child clean her or his hands using a baby wipe. SAY: Martha was good at serving. She made Jesus a big meal and cleaned her whole house so Jesus felt welcome. When someone visits your house or school or church, what do you do to make that person feel welcome? (Give the children time to answer, and talk about ways to be hospitable.) Serve With Love Mary s Ears Snack Supplies: cinnamon sugar, puff pastry, parchment paper, oven, baking sheet, plates Make these cookies the night before you teach. As with any food activity, check for allergies the children may have. Let the parents know what food items are being used today. Winter 2014 15 Session 8 GrowProclaimServe.com 65 TIP
Roll out a piece of parchment paper. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of cinnamon sugar over the parchment paper. Unroll the puff pastry over the cinnamon sugar on the parchment paper. Sprinkle another 1/4 cup of cinnamon sugar over the puff pastry. Roll up the left vertical side inward, stopping halfway. Roll the right side of the dough to meet the left. This should look like a dough scroll. Place the dough in the fridge for half an hour. After the dough has cooled, preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Slice the dough into half-inch-thick pieces. Place the cookies on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet, leaving plenty of space between each cookie. Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon sugar on the top of each cookie, and place the baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes. You should have ear-shaped cookies. Give each child a plate with a couple of cookies on it. Invite the children to eat while you discuss the things you have learned this month. SAY: This month we learned about different ways Jesus showed people God s love. What was your favorite story? Worship Praise and Prayer Supplies: CD-ROM, Bible Story Pak, computer, monitor or screen Invite the children to sit in a circle. Sing, One Heart at a Time (CD-ROM). The lyrics are located on the CD-ROM. SAY: We can praise God each and every day, in any way we want. We are showing our love for God when we praise God. God loves to hear our praise! We can praise God for Jesus! Invite the children to form a Praise-and-Prayer Circle by holding each other s hands and standing in a circle. Say a small prayer for each child in the Praiseand-Prayer Circle. Send home the Bible storybook, Mary and Martha (Bible Story Pak Session 8, pp. 1 2), with each child. Invite the children to Sunday school next week and tell the children that you will pray for them during the week. Plan for Next Week Preview the DVD segment for Session 9. Remove the Bible Story Pak and the Fun Pak pages for Session 9. Photocopy Reproducibles 9a, 9b, and 9c. Gather the supplies needed for the session. 66 January 25 GROW Proclaim Serve Early Elementary Leader s Guide
Reproducible 8a: Mary and Martha Read the following story based on Luke 10:38-42 to the children. When the story is talking about Mary, invite the children to sit and pray. When the story is talking about Martha, invite the children to stand and pretend to clean the room. [Written By Cynthia Gray] Martha was so busy! She swept the floor. She got extra water from the well. She made her special soup. She baked bread. She cut fresh fruit to eat. Company was coming special company. Jesus was coming to Martha and Mary s house. Martha was excited about seeing Jesus, but she was getting very tired from all of the work she had done. Suddenly, Martha heard voices outside. She ran to the door. There was Jesus! Martha welcomed Jesus into her home. Then she helped Jesus find the best seat. Quickly, Martha rushed to get him water for washing. She made sure he had a cool drink. After all of her hard work, Martha was even more tired. She wasn t finished yet! Martha still had fish to cook and fig cakes to make. Martha wanted help. I want my sister, Mary, to help me! Martha decided. Martha looked for Mary. Then she saw her. Martha saw that Mary was not cooking or cleaning or serving! Mary was sitting at Jesus feet, listening to him talk. Martha wanted to hear what Jesus was saying, too, but she was too busy! Jesus, Martha complained, I have done all of this work by myself. Tell Mary to come and help me. Jesus looked at Martha. He saw how tired she was. Jesus looked at Mary, sitting at his feet. Jesus smiled at Mary. He smiled at Martha. Jesus was happy to have two such good friends. Come and sit, said Jesus. Martha sat next to Mary. What Mary does is important too, said Jesus. Listen, Martha, and rest. Martha rested. She listened. She learned. Martha learned that there are lots of important things to do in the world. The most important thing is to be close to Jesus. The most important thing is to learn about God. Mary and Martha listened and learned. They were happy to have Jesus as their friend and teacher. 74 January 25 GROW Proclaim Serve Early Elementary Leader s Guide
Reproducible 8b: Martha s Table This is how the love of God is revealed to us: God has sent his only Son into the world so that we can live through him. 1 John 4:9 Winter 2014 15 Session 8 GrowProclaimServe.com 75
Reproducible 8c: Which Is the Better Choice? OR OR OR OR 76 January 25 GROW Proclaim Serve Early Elementary Leader s Guide
1 John 4:9 This is how the love of God is revealed to us: God has sent his only Son into the world so that we can live through him. God Point your index finger of your right hand, with the other fingers curled down. Bring the hand down as if drawing a shepherd s crook while opening your palm. Sent (Gave) Hold both hands up and in front of your body, palms up and fingers and thumb touching on each hand. Pull your hands to your chest. Only Extend index finger of your right hand and thumb with palm facing out. Twist the hand to the left so that the palm faces the body. Son Bring thumb and extended fingers of your right hand to the right side of your forehead as if you are grasping an imaginary hat brim. Then rock the arms together in the sign for baby. World Hold out your first three fingers on each hand. Circle your hands around each other in one complete circle. End with one hand on top of the other. Winter 2014 15 Session 8 GrowProclaimServe.com 123
Ba ba da dap. Ba ba da dap. Ba ba da dap. Da dap. Da ap da da da dap. I can feel the love. I can feel the joy. Jesus did it all, one heart at a time. I can feel the hope. I can feel the help. Jesus did it all, one heart at a time. I ve got a change of heart. I ve got a brand-new start. Everybody, Jesus changes one heart at a time. I ve got a brand-new life. Now I can see the light. Everybody, Jesus changes one heart at a time. Ba ba da dap. Ba ba da dap. Ba ba da dap. Da dap. Da ap da da da dap. Ba ba da dap. Ba ba da dap. Ba ba da dap. Da dap. Da ap da da da dap. One Heart at a Time Helping us to grow. Helping us to know. Jesus does it all, one heart at a time. With a gentle touch, he can do so much. Jesus does it all, one heart at a time. I ve got a change of heart. I ve got a brand-new start. Everybody, Jesus changes one heart at a time. I ve got a brand-new life. Now I can see the light. Everybody, Jesus changes one heart at a time. Ba ba da dap. Ba ba da dap. Ba ba da dap. Da dap. Da ap da da da dap. Ba ba da dap. Ba ba da dap. Ba ba da dap. Changing one heart at a time. WORDS: Dennis Scott 2014 Act IV Music 126 January 25 GROW Proclaim Serve Early Elementary Leader s Guide