Bible Reading
Luke 10:38-42 “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.”
[19:38]John 11:1-44 “Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." But when Jesus heard it he said, "This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
[26:32]John 12:1-8 “Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, "Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”
[41:16]Observation questions
- In Luke 10:38–42, how do Martha’s complaint and Mary’s actions reveal what each sister is focused on? How does Jesus respond to Martha’s request? [20:34]
- In John 11, what do Mary and Martha do when Jesus arrives after Lazarus’s death? What signs of grief appear alongside their willingness to come to him? [33:33]
- In John 12:1–8, what details show the cost and impact of Mary’s offering? How do Judas’s objection and Jesus’ response differ? [41:53]
- Across these three encounters, what repeated position does Mary take near Jesus, and how do her actions change from one encounter to the next? [19:03]
Interpretation questions
- In Luke 10, why is Martha’s distraction more than a problem with a busy schedule? How can the desire for approval turn good service into performance? [24:35]
- What does Mary’s coming to Jesus in her sorrow reveal about the relationship between faith and grief? How is bringing questions to Jesus different from deciding that his delay means he does not care? [33:23]
- How does Jesus’ identity as the resurrection and the life challenge the sisters’ expectations? What is the difference between trusting Jesus and trusting him only to carry out a preferred plan? [31:33]
- In John 12, Jesus connects Mary’s offering to his burial. How does that help explain its value beyond its price, and why does his judgment matter more than Judas’s criticism? [42:24]
Application questions
- When you serve at home, at work, or in church, where do you notice a desire to be appreciated or noticed? What might help you recognize when love is giving way to performance? [25:16]
- Mary made room to listen to Jesus. Looking at your coming week, what could you set aside or rearrange to give his word your attention—not as another task to complete, but as time with him? [25:36]
- Where are you feeling weary in the space between a beginning and a hoped-for fulfillment? What small act of obedience might help you keep walking with Jesus there? [13:38]
- If you feel comfortable sharing, when has God’s timing left you disappointed or confused? What would continuing to come to Jesus look like now, without pretending that your grief or questions are gone? [33:33]
- Mary’s costly offering points to love that entrusts the future to Jesus. What hope, plan, possession, or source of security is difficult for you to place in his hands? What might a thoughtful first step of surrender look like? [43:14]
- A lasting response to Jesus changes everyday life, not just one moment. What would you like to be different tomorrow, and where do you need the Holy Spirit’s help rather than simply trying harder? How could this group support you? [59:03]
