To_Be_or_to_Do_That_is_the_Question.docx

of the Sermon**

This sermon explores the well-known story of Martha and Mary from Luke 10:38-42, using a dramatic monologue to give voice to both sisters. Martha is portrayed as the diligent doer, always busy with tasks and service, while Mary is the contemplative listener, drawn to the presence and teaching of Jesus. Through their contrasting personalities and choices, the sermon delves into the tension between action and contemplation, service and presence, doing and being. The message emphasizes that Jesus values both women, challenging cultural norms by affirming Mary’s place as a disciple and reminding Martha (and us) that our work must be rooted in a living relationship with Christ. The sermon concludes by calling for a balance between action and contemplation, encouraging us to both serve and sit at Jesus’ feet, and to let our doing flow from our being with God.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. The Danger of Defining Ourselves by Doing Martha’s story reveals how easy it is to measure our worth by our productivity and service. When our identity is tied to what we accomplish, we risk exhaustion, resentment, and a sense of never being enough. God’s love is not earned by our busyness; it is a gift that remains even when we do less. True value comes from being loved by God, not from the length of our to-do lists.
• 2. The Necessity of Soul Rest Mary’s posture at Jesus’ feet is not laziness but a deep recognition of the need for soul rest. In a world that prizes constant activity, we often neglect the inner life that sustains meaningful action. Time spent in the presence of Christ is not wasted; it is the wellspring from which all fruitful service flows. Without this rest, our work becomes thin and frazzled, lacking the depth that comes from communion with God.
• 3. The Call to Balance Action and Contemplation Neither Martha nor Mary is held up as the perfect disciple; rather, Jesus invites us to a life that integrates both action and contemplation. Faith that never acts is lifeless, but action that is not rooted in relationship with Christ becomes empty striving. We are called to both serve and to listen, to pour out and to be filled, allowing each to inform and strengthen the other.
• 4. The Courage to Step Outside Our Comfort Zones For those who are naturally doers, the challenge is to slow down and make space for God’s voice. For those who are contemplative, the invitation is to let what we receive from God overflow into action, even when it feels uncomfortable. Growth happens when we allow God to stretch us beyond our defaults, trusting that both being and doing are necessary for a vibrant faith.
• 5. The Radical Welcome and Value Jesus Gives Jesus’ affirmation of Mary as a disciple was a radical act in his cultural context, signaling the full inclusion and value of women in God’s kingdom. He does not diminish Martha’s service but calls her to anchor it in relationship. Our unique personalities and gifts are welcomed by Jesus, but he invites us all to deeper transformation—where our doing is empowered by being, and our being is expressed in doing, for the sake of a world hungry for God’s love.

**Small Group Bible Study Guide: Martha & Mary – Balancing Doing and Being**

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### Bible Reading

**Luke 10:38-42**
_As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”_

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### Observation Questions

1. What are the different ways Martha and Mary respond to Jesus’ visit in their home?
2. According to the passage, what does Jesus say to Martha about her busyness and Mary’s choice?
3. In the sermon, how does Martha describe her feelings about her work and her sister’s actions?
4. What does Mary say about her time spent with Jesus, and how does she describe its impact on her?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why might Martha feel frustrated or unappreciated, based on both the passage and the sermon’s dramatic monologue?
2. What does Jesus’ response to Martha reveal about what he values in his followers?
3. How does the sermon challenge the idea that our worth comes from what we do, rather than who we are in Christ?
4. In what ways does the story of Martha and Mary invite us to rethink the balance between serving others and spending time with God?

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### Application Questions

1. Do you tend to identify more with Martha (the doer) or Mary (the listener)? Why? How does this affect your relationship with God and others?
2. Can you think of a time when you felt your value was tied to how much you accomplished or how busy you were? How did that affect your sense of peace or joy?
3. What are some practical ways you could make space for “soul rest” in your week, even if you have a lot to do?
4. For those who are naturally busy and active, what would it look like to intentionally slow down and listen for God’s voice? What might be hard about that?
5. For those who are more contemplative, how could you let what you receive from God overflow into action, even if it feels uncomfortable or new?
6. Jesus affirmed Mary’s place as a disciple, breaking cultural expectations. Are there ways you feel called to step outside your comfort zone or challenge expectations in your faith or service?
7. Think about your current “to-do list” or responsibilities. Is there one area where you sense God inviting you to either pause and be present with him, or to step out and serve in a new way? What is one step you could take this week?

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**Closing Thought:**
Jesus loved both Martha and Mary deeply. He invites us to a life where our doing flows from our being with him, and our being is expressed in loving action. Where do you sense God inviting you to grow in this balance?