Session Titles: Mary and Martha
Life Point: People can honor God by making good choices
Unit Bible Verse: “May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love.” 2 Thessalonians 3:15
Weekly Bible Verses: “Many plans are in a person’s heart, but the Lord’s decree will prevail.” Proverbs 19:21
Bible Passage: Luke 10:38-42
Extras from LifeWay (GREAT Ideas Here): http://blog.lifeway.com/biblestudiesforlife/leaderextras/by-age-group/
Way to Introduce the Story
Ask the children to imagine this: You are home one night, asleep in your bed. You awaken because you smell smoke. You call out to your Dad and Mum and they tell you to hurry and get out of the house. Dad says, “You have time to grab two things out of your room.” Of course this is an imaginary story. In real life you wouldn’t stop to get anything. You would just want to get away from danger as fast as you could. But let’s imagine you get to choose two things and everything else is going to burn up. What would you choose? (Let the children share their answers.)
A lot of things would be good to choose. But if you were only allowed to choose two things you would probably choose the two things that are most important to you. In today’s story we are going to learn about two sisters. One chose to do a good thing and the other chose to do something more important.
http://missionbibleclass.org/1b0-new-testament/new-testament-part-1/life-of-christ-middle/mary-and-martha/
Activity/Object Lesson: What Can Fit
Provide each child with a small container with a lid, like a glass baby food jar or small plastic container. Help each child to put three objects inside the container, like three rocks or three marbles. Then, fill the remaining space in the container with something smaller, like sand or rice, and then put on the top. Now, have the children empty the contents of their container into an extra bowl. Ask them to put the sand or rice in first and then the larger three objects (marbles/rocks) and place the lid back on. They won’t be able to do it! Now try putting the larger three objects in first and then the smaller material again. Everything should fit just fine! Discuss how the three large objects are like God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. If we put those things “first” in our life and then add everything else (family, toys, school, tv, sports, etc.) everything seems to fit a whole lot better than if we try to do it the other way around. Ask the children if they have any idea about what they can do to try to put Jesus first in their life.
http://ministry-to-children.com/lesson-jesus-visits-martha-and-mary/
Craft: Pie Chart of our Lives (Older Kid Activity)
Provide each child with a paper circle (or help them to make their own). Work together to make a pie chart/illustration that shows how they spend their time. For example, if most of their time is at school, color that in as the largest piece. Use other colors and pieces to show how much time is spent on sleeping, eating, sports, homework, family, tv/video games, friends, etc. Ask the children how the amount of time they spend focused on Jesus compares to the time they spend doing everything else. Brainstorm some ideas about how to spend more time with God. Make a list on the other side of the circle of the most important things in life. Challenge the children to “put those things first” as much as possible.
http://ministry-to-children.com/lesson-jesus-visits-martha-and-mary/
Game: Important Things Hunt
Place many items around a designated area – such as toys, books, Bible, Bible verses, Christian plaques, magazine pics, etc. Send children out to the designated area, two by two, to find something IMPORTANT (just one item per child to begin with) and bring their item back to the classroom table. Send 2 or 3 more children out to find something IMPORTANT until everyone has brought an IMPORTANT item back to the table. Gather around the table and talk about the IMPORTANT ITEMS and why. Discuss today’s lesson!
http://www.sermons4kids.com/most_important_thing_group_activities.htm
Story Review: M and M’s
Give out M & M’s for “Mary” and “Martha” and as children can answer questions about today’s Bible lesson, they can be given M & M’s to remind them of the story.
http://www.sermons4kids.com/most_important_thing_group_activities.htm