Balancing Action and Contemplation in Discipleship
Summary
In Luke 10, the story of Mary and Martha offers a window into the tensions and choices that shape our daily lives as followers of Jesus. Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening intently, while Martha is busy with the work of hospitality. This scene is not simply a lesson in choosing contemplation over action, nor is it a rebuke of Martha’s service. Instead, it invites us to examine our own hearts: are we distracted and worried, or are we centered on Jesus as the one thing necessary?
God is a God of words, speaking through prophets, through scripture, and most fully through Jesus. The question is not whether God is speaking, but whether we are listening. Mary’s posture at Jesus’ feet is a model of attentive discipleship, a reminder that spiritual growth requires time set apart for listening, study, and discernment. Yet, the story also acknowledges the value of Martha’s work. Acts of service, hospitality, and justice are essential expressions of faith. The challenge is to find a balance between action and contemplation, between serving and listening, so that both are rooted in devotion to Christ rather than in anxiety or self-focus.
Martha’s frustration is familiar to many of us. We often compare ourselves to others, feeling burdened or overlooked, and sometimes we triangulate our complaints rather than addressing them directly. Jesus’ gentle response to Martha is not a dismissal of her work, but a call to let go of worry and distraction. The true danger is not in serving or listening, but in losing sight of Jesus as the center of our devotion.
This balance is crucial not only for individuals but for the church as a whole. When congregations become consumed by busyness, meetings, and institutional maintenance, they risk drifting from their true purpose. The ground beneath our churches may feel like it is shifting, but the call remains: to be both Mary and Martha, to listen deeply and to serve faithfully, always with Jesus as our focus. In practical terms, this means structuring our lives and our church’s life so that both study and service are valued and integrated, ensuring that all we do flows from our relationship with Christ.
Key Takeaways
- God’s primary way of relating to humanity is through words—spoken, written, and embodied in Jesus. The spiritual life begins with listening: making space to hear God’s voice in scripture, prayer, and community. Without this foundation, our actions risk becoming disconnected from God’s purposes. [04:30]
- Martha’s complaint reveals a common human tendency: to focus on our own efforts and frustrations, seeking validation or intervention from others rather than addressing issues directly. This “triangulation” can damage relationships and distract us from the real work of love and reconciliation. Jesus calls us to honest, direct engagement with one another, rooted in grace. [08:45]
- The story of Mary and Martha is not a simple dichotomy between action and contemplation, but a call to balance. Mature discipleship involves both: listening to God and putting faith into action. Overemphasizing one at the expense of the other leads to either fruitless busyness or passive disengagement. [12:14]
- The true issue Jesus addresses is not Martha’s service, but her worry and distraction. When our actions—even good ones—are driven by anxiety or a need for recognition, they lose their spiritual power. The “one thing” needed is a heart centered on Jesus, so that both our serving and our listening are acts of devotion. [16:33]
- Churches, like individuals, can lose their way when they become preoccupied with activity and maintenance rather than with Christ. A congregation that dwells in worry and distraction risks becoming shallow and resentful. Intentional practices of study, prayer, and shared reflection help keep the community rooted in Jesus and open to the Spirit’s leading. [18:36]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Reading: Mary and Martha in Luke 10
[02:21] - Family Stories and Sibling Tensions
[03:30] - Introducing Mary and Martha’s Context
[04:30] - God as a God of Words
[06:10] - Martha’s Complaint and Human Frustration
[08:45] - The Dangers of Triangulation
[10:30] - Action vs. Contemplation: Seeking Balance
[12:14] - The Methodist Method: Word and Deed
[14:00] - Distraction, Worry, and the One Thing Needed
[16:33] - The Focus of Our Devotion
[17:34] - Church Decline and Spiritual Imbalance
[18:36] - Shifting Ground: Churches in Transition
[20:00] - Practices for Balance in Church Life
[22:00] - Next Steps: Becoming Both Mary and Martha
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Mary, Martha, and the Balance of Devotion
*(Based on Luke 10 and the sermon summary above)*
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### Bible Reading
Luke 10:38-42 (ESV)
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
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### Observation Questions
1. What are the different actions and attitudes of Mary and Martha in this story? How does Jesus respond to each of them?
2. According to the sermon, what is the “one thing” that Jesus says is necessary? [16:33]
3. How does Martha express her frustration, and who does she direct it toward? [08:45]
4. What does the sermon say about God’s primary way of relating to humanity? [04:30]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus gently corrects Martha instead of rebuking her for serving? What does this say about the value of service and listening? [16:33]
2. The sermon mentions that Martha’s complaint is an example of “triangulation.” Why is this kind of indirect communication harmful in relationships, especially in the church? [08:45]
3. The story is often seen as a choice between action and contemplation, but the sermon suggests it’s about balance. What might happen if a person or a church focuses only on one and neglects the other? [12:14]
4. How does being “worried and distracted” affect our ability to serve or listen to Jesus well? [16:33]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says that God is always speaking, but the question is whether we are listening. What are some practical ways you can make space in your week to listen for God’s voice? [04:30]
2. Martha’s frustration is familiar to many of us. Can you think of a recent time when you felt overlooked or burdened by your responsibilities? How did you handle it, and what might you do differently after hearing this story? [08:45]
3. The sermon talks about “triangulation”—going to someone else with our complaints instead of addressing the person directly. Is this something you’ve seen or experienced in your family, workplace, or church? How can you practice more honest and direct communication? [08:45]
4. Are you more naturally a “Mary” (drawn to study, prayer, and listening) or a “Martha” (drawn to action and service)? What is one step you could take this week to grow in the area that is less natural for you? [12:14]
5. The sermon warns that both individuals and churches can become “shallow and resentful” if they are consumed by busyness and distraction. Are there activities or worries in your life or in our church that might be distracting us from Jesus? What could we do to refocus? [18:36]
6. The church council in the sermon now spends time in devotion and shared reflection before business. How could you or your group build similar practices into your meetings, family time, or routines? [18:36]
7. Think about your current balance between serving others and spending time with Jesus. Is there a specific change you want to make this week to help both your actions and your listening flow from devotion to Christ? [16:33]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you find the right balance between serving and listening, and to keep Jesus at the center of all you do.
Devotional
Day 1: Listening at the Feet of Jesus
Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen, prioritizing His words over the busyness of daily tasks. This act of attentive listening is not just about being passive, but about intentionally making space in our lives to hear God’s voice and receive His teaching. In a world full of distractions and endless to-do lists, it is easy to neglect the quiet moments of learning and spiritual growth. Like Mary, we are invited to pause, set aside our worries, and focus on what Jesus is saying to us today, trusting that this “better part” will not be taken away. [02:21]
Luke 10:38-42 (ESV)
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Reflection: When was the last time you set aside your tasks and worries to simply listen for God’s voice? What would it look like to intentionally create space for this today?
Day 2: The Dangers of Distraction and Worry
Martha’s story reminds us that even good and necessary work can become a source of anxiety and distraction if it takes our focus off Jesus. When we become preoccupied with our responsibilities, we risk missing the presence and guidance of Christ in our midst. Jesus gently redirects Martha, and us, to let go of our worries and distractions so that our actions and service flow from a heart centered on Him. The true danger is not in serving, but in allowing our concerns to pull us away from the “one thing” that matters most—devotion to Jesus. [16:33]
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: What is one worry or distraction that is pulling your attention away from Jesus right now? How can you surrender it to Him in prayer today?
Day 3: Balancing Action and Contemplation
A mature Christian life finds balance between action—serving others like Martha—and contemplation—listening and learning like Mary. Focusing too much on either can lead to problems: endless activity without discernment, or endless study without compassionate action. God calls us to both personal devotion and active service, to be transformed by His word and to transform the world through our deeds. This balance is not static, but something we must continually seek as we discern God’s call in each season of our lives. [12:14]
James 1:22 (ESV)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Reflection: Which side do you tend to lean toward—action or contemplation? What is one practical step you can take this week to bring more balance to your spiritual life?
Day 4: Speaking Directly and Building Healthy Relationships
Martha’s complaint to Jesus about Mary highlights the unhealthy pattern of triangulation—talking to a third party instead of addressing the person directly. Healthy relationships, whether in families, workplaces, or churches, require honest and direct communication. Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18 encourages us to go directly to those with whom we have conflict, fostering understanding and reconciliation. By following this model, we build stronger, more Christlike communities where grievances are addressed with grace and truth. [08:45]
Matthew 18:15 (ESV)
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.”
Reflection: Is there someone you need to speak with directly about a frustration or hurt? How can you approach them in a spirit of love and honesty this week?
Day 5: Making Jesus the Center of All We Do
The heart of the story is not about choosing between serving and listening, but about making Jesus the center of both our actions and our contemplation. Whether we are busy with tasks or sitting in quiet devotion, our focus must remain on Christ. When Jesus is our “one thing,” our service becomes holy and our study becomes fruitful. As individuals and as a church, we are called to continually re-center our lives on Jesus, letting Him guide our work, our worship, and our relationships. [17:34]
Colossians 3:17 (ESV)
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to re-center your focus on Jesus? What is one intentional change you can make this week to keep Him at the heart of your actions and thoughts?
Quotes
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