Mary and Martha
Luke 10:38-42 New Testament PrincipleWorship
Martha welcomed Jesus into her home and got busy making dinner. Her sister Mary sat at Jesus' feet and listened to Him. When Martha complained, Jesus gently said that Mary had chosen the best thing. Being with Jesus matters most, so we make time to stop, listen and worship Him.
Jesus is the best gift there is, and being with Him matters more than anything we do. We worship Him by stopping to listen to His Word and treasure Him.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“Be still and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46:10 BSB
The Big Story · Redemption
Sin pulls our hearts toward worry and busyness. Jesus came so we could be with God again, and being near Him is the good portion that will never be taken away.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- Object lesson: Too many things
- Bible Kitchen (taste the story): Stop and listen
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Ring and rest
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
I stop and listen to Jesus!
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Busy, busy, stop!, Color Mary listening
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
Martha was busy getting dinner ready for Jesus. Mary sat at Jesus' feet and listened. When Martha got upset, Jesus said Mary chose the best thing. Being with Jesus matters most, so we stop to listen to Him and worship Him.
Start here
Ask, "What's the busiest day you've ever had?" Let a few kids share. Say, "Today one sister was super busy. The other sat still. Jesus said one of them chose the best thing. Guess which one!"
Bible story 6 min
Jesus and His friends came to a town called Bethany. A woman named Martha asked them into her home.
Martha got busy. There were so many people to feed! She baked bread. She cooked food. She got water.
Martha had a sister named Mary. Mary sat on the floor at Jesus' feet. She listened to every word He said.
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Act it out 10 min
You’ll need: Paper plates, A basket of household items
- Choose Jesus, Martha and Mary. Everyone else is a disciple.
- Act out the skit. Martha rushes around with the plates and basket.
- Switch so more kids get a turn.
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3rd – 4th grade
Martha welcomed Jesus and served Him, but she became distracted and worried. Mary sat at Jesus' feet as His student, and Jesus said she had chosen the "good portion" that would never be taken away. Worship means treasuring Jesus most and making time to be still with Him.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Always at His feet, Ring and rest
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: online and on screens, at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
Martha welcomed Jesus and threw herself into serving, but worry and distraction pulled her away from Him. Mary took the place of a disciple at His feet, and Jesus defended her choice as the one necessary thing. True worship starts with treasuring and listening to Jesus; service flows from it.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 6 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Two sisters, one Lord, Martha, Martha
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: online and on screens, at church, with brothers and sisters
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Worship
The same principle in other Bible stories.
With Building BricksSolomon Builds the Temple1 Kings 5:1-8:66; 2 Chronicles 3:1-7:3; John 2:19-21King Solomon built a beautiful temple for God, and God filled it with His glory. But even Solomon knew no building could hold God. God came to live with His people, and in Jesus He came closer than ever. So we worship Him.Old TestamentWorship
Kings and ProphetsElijah on Mount Carmel1 Kings 18:1-2; 1 Kings 18:17-39On Mount Carmel, Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal, and the LORD answered with fire from heaven, showing that He alone is the true God.Old TestamentWorship
Seeing God's WorldEvery Square InchColossians 1:15-20; Psalm 24:1; Colossians 3:17, 23From prison, Paul wrote to the church in Colossae that Jesus made all things, holds all things together and is first in everything. The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it. There's no part of life that doesn't belong to Jesus, so everything we do can be worship.New TestamentWorship
In the BeginningGod Makes EverythingGenesis 1:1-2:3; Genesis 2:4-23God made everything, and everything He made shows how great and good He is.Old TestamentWorship