The Right Choice

Memory Verse: Psalm 119:9-10 “9 How can a young person keep his life pure? By living according to your word. I seek You with all my heart. Don't let me stray from your commands.”

In our lesson we learned when Jesus and His disciples went to Mary & Martha’s house to teach, Martha busied herself with fixing a meal while Mary chose the time to sit at Jesus’ feet and learn from Him. Martha was upset that Mary was not helping her in the kitchen to prepare a meal for those present. She was so upset that she complained to Jesus. Jesus surprised her by not making Mary go help Martha.

Luke 10:38-42 “Jesus and His disciples went on their way. Jesus came to a village where a woman named Martha lived. She welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister named Mary. Mary sat at the Lord's feet listening to what He said. But Martha was busy with all the things that had to be done. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, my sister has left me to do the work by myself. Don't You care? 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."

Why did Jesus prefer Mary spending time listening to Him over Martha preparing a delicious meal that He would be eating?

Mary was giving a gift of her undivided attention to Jesus. The meal could have waited until after Jesus’ teaching to His disciples. Martha missed out on the message Jesus was giving because she considered the meal more important than His message. Mary considered Jesus’ words more important than food. She decided the food could wait. She wanted to take advantage of this unique opportunity to hear Jesus speak and possibly learn something from her Savior.

What opportunities do we have to hear Jesus speak? (Sabbath class, Sabbath sermons and sermonettes, prayer, reading our Bibles, Bible study, talking with other Christian believers etc.)

Do you give priority to these opportunities to hear Him speak to you? How are you letting other things distract you? Fretting and stewing over physical things like Martha did, doesn’t bring peace and contentment. Mary’s choice gives a greater reward.

What would be your plan of action if Jesus was scheduled to visit your home? Do you think Jesus would enjoy a good meal? Why?

Why do you think Jesus preferred that Mary spend time listening to Him rather than Martha spending her time preparing a delicious meal? Do you think what Martha was doing was wrong? Why or why not?

What lessons did you learn from Martha? (She was more concerned about the physical than learning at Jesus’ feet)

What lessons did you learn from Mary? (She loved to be with Jesus and learn everything she could from Him whenever she had the opportunity)

Are you more like Mary or Martha? Why?

John 6:25 “ 35 Then Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me will ever go hungry. And no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty."

What does that tell you about Mary’s priorities? (She had discovered what was REALLY IMPORTANT)

How do your priorities determine the choices you make? (You do the things that are important to you)

What about your thoughts? What does that say about them? (You are what you think)

Would you say that your thoughts determine your priorities? Do the things that are important to you determine your choices?

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” NKJV "But put God's kingdom first. Do what he wants you to do. Then all of those things will also be given to you.”NIV

What two things does this show that your priorities should be? (Put God first and live the way He wants you to live)

What benefits will you receive if you seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness first? (God will take care of you)

What did Mary gain from sitting at Jesus’ feet and learning from Him? (Jesus loved her for it. He had what she did, and her name, included in the Bible)

How can you sit at Jesus’ feet and learn from Him? (Studying your Bible, hearing a Sabbath sermon or sermonette, participating in Sabbath School)

Why is prayer without Bible study not enough? (You’re talking with God when you pray but you are missing the other side of the relationship when He talks to you in His Word.)

Who can benefit most from listening, you or God? (We all can)

Can you really give God your undivided attention when you’re driving down the street and trying to pray at the same time? (No) Is it wrong then to pray and drive at the same time? (No, but it is no substitute for going before God in a private place each day and giving God your undivided attention)

How often should a Christian pray? I Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing”

Psalms 55:17 ”Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.”

What advantage do you think there is to praying in the morning? (You begin your day acknowledging that God is first/Supreme, and that you need and want His help. You can live that day with confidence that God will be with you.

Romans 13:11-14 “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

What lessons have you learned from Mary and Martha? What kinds of changes will this lesson make in your life?

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