R E A L I Z E … R E F L E C T … R E D E E M T H E T R U T H

W H A T D O I N E E D T O K N O W ?

W H A T ' S T H I S A B O U T ?

M A R T H A , M A R T H A • Q U I E T T I M E SQ U I E T T I M E S

R E A D L U K E 1 0 : 3 8 - 4 2The Situation

Jesus has been invited to the house of Mary and Martha to visit with them. As Jesus sat, Mary sat as well, and engaged Him in conversation listening and hanging on His every word. In the meantime, Martha is busy making preparations for their House Guest. It’s not long before Martha gets agitated that Mary is not helping, but rather is sitting listening to Jesus. As Martha enlists the Lord’s help in the dispute, Jesus let’s her know that it is she (Martha) who is in the wrong, and not Mary. Martha had chosen worry and busyness, over resting and listening in the presence of Jesus.

Mary and Martha

It’s helpful to see that the two women, quite likely, had different personalities. In this passage, we learn that Martha owned the house and not Mary. In John 11, in the healing of Lazarus, Mary is resigned to the death of Lazarus, while Martha wants Jesus to do something. Martha seems to be a competent and busy woman of action. Mary seems more reserved. Thus, it’s easier to understand why each gravi-tated to the place they did in this vignette.

In this story, Martha’s activity is a liability. In the story of Lazarus, it is her great strength. The important thing to note, for busy and active people, is their need to slow down and pull away to be with Jesus. While this might not be a natural incli-nation, it is a necessity.

The Cure for Marthaness

What Martha fundamentally needs is a perspective change. She is “worried about many things.” The dynamic of worry is that it elevates peripheral things to the highest priority, creating a loss of perspective. It is ironic that worry and busy-ness can prevent us from taking time with the Lord, and yet it is only time away with God that causes a renewal of perspective. That is why Jesus gives the simple prescription “that only one thing is really needed,” and that is to spend time with Him. Worry makes us think that many things are absolute priorities, when really there is only one.

It is not incidental that this story is followed by Jesus’ lessons on prayer. These les-sons provide the fundamental attitude change needed to keep perspective. Some of these lessons are, to seek first God’s kingdom and His agenda. Another lesson is to

This study focuses on the need for a daily devotional time with the Lord - times where you can pray, read the Scripture, and center your heart and mind on the Lord. Worry and busyness form both the greatest obstacles to these times, as well as the greatest rea-son we need to have them.

We want to hear from you! Please send your feedback on this study to Materials@ImpactMovement.com.

I N T R O D U C T I O N L U K E

Q U I E T T I M E S • P G 2

W H A T I F T H E R E ' S A P R O B L E M ?

be persistent, not always in actions, but in prayer. This is the primary way we are to be asser-tive. Jesus also teaches that we are to bring to God all of the things that are of concern to us, and entrust them to His care. As we follow these prescriptions in prayer, all of the other issues and worry begin to take their proper place and priority.

Jesus is Our Portion

In verse 41, the passage more literally reads, “Mary has chosen the better portion.” The word “portion” is rich with Old Testament background that adds additional insight into what Jesus is saying. First, the word “portion” referred to a tithe (Numbers 18:28,29). This evokes the idea of giving our best portion of time, when our minds are freshest, to the Lord. In this sense, it also speaks of apportioning a healthy amount of time to God to focus our hearts and minds on Him.

Second, the word “portion” speaks of food, daily provision, and sustenance (Psalm 73:26). Busyness and worry tend to provide their own food that raise our energy level and propel us. In contrast, we are to be energized by the Lord. He is to be the food for our souls. When other things provide that motivational food, our souls, in many ways, become sick and undernourished, resulting in a loss of perspective.

Jesus is telling Martha that she has gone to the wrong food source, and that what she needs is to “taste,” instead, of the Lord.

This study is accompanied by an article. Take the time to read it.

None apparent.

W H A T A R E T H E A N S W E R S ?

M E M O R Y V E R S E

W H A T ' S Y O U R P O I N T ?

Q U I E T T I M E S • P G 3

The focus of this study has been the need to spend time daily with the Lord. The study contains several points of applica-tion. One application is to implement some of the ideas that are shared for what to do in a daily devotional time. We ecnourage you to devote the first “por-tion” of your day to the Lord. Consider finding creative ways to spend time with God.

1. Martha is busy making all of the preparations, and Mary is not 1. Martha is busy making all of the preparations, and Mary is not giving her any help.

2. See above under Mary and Martha.

3. Jot down your thoughts.

4. Martha's strength is that she gets things accomplished. She’s 4. Martha's strength is that she gets things accomplished. She’s also probably very competent and extremely proactive. The also probably very competent and extremely proactive. The liabilities can be a lack of trust in God, or the ability to stop, liabilities can be a lack of trust in God, or the ability to stop, liabilities can be a lack of trust in God, or the ability to stop, wait, and listen to the Lord.

5. Martha’s response is somewhat typical of a person who is ensnared in worry and business. No one likes to be in this state, and often we look for someone or something to blame, when we are.

6. Give an example from your own life.

7. Martha, in a state of worry, is convinced of the over impor-tance of many things. Jesus tells her that only one thing is truly critical, and that is spending time with Him.

8. Look up the verses and record your answers.

9. See above under “Jesus is our Portion.”

10. Worry, agendas and checklists, boyfriends/girlfriends, all can

provide alternative energy, focus and motivation for the day.

11.Write down when and where you have your daily times with God.

12-13. Jot down your answers.

14. To seek first God’s kingdom and agenda, and to keep our focus there. Another lesson is to be persistent, not always in actions, but in prayer. This is how we need to assert our-in actions, but in prayer. This is how we need to assert our-selves. Also taking the time to bring to God all of the things that concern us and entrust them to His care.

Copyright 2004 The Impact Movement, Inc. All rights reserved. This study may be copied, without alteration, for personal ministry use. Resale of this study for profit is strictly forbidden.

Luke 10:41 “You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.”

R E A L I Z E … R E F L E C T … R E D E E M T H E T R U T H

M A R T H A , M A R T H A • L U K E 1 0 : 3 8 - 4 2 L U K E 1 0 : 3 8 - 4 2Read Luke 10:38-42

1. Why is Martha so upset and frustrated?

2. Read John 11:17-44. Combined with the passage in Luke, describe the basic temperaments or personalities of the two women. (Notice in Luke who owns the home.)

Mary

Martha

3. Who do you identify more with, Mary or Martha?

4. What are the strengths of being a “Martha” in life and ministry? What are the weaknesses?

Having lost her focus on the Lord, and having been consumed with worry, Martha lashes out and blames her sister when, according to Jesus, it was her own poor choice.

5. What are the common results you experience when you loose your focus on God? Who, or what, do you blame when your life becomes chaotic?

6. When have you found yourself recently in a Martha-like state-of-mind? What was your source of worry?

S T U D Y G U I D E L U K E

7. In verse 41, how does Jesus refocus Martha’s perspective?

8. In verse 41, the passage more literally reads “Mary has chosen the better portion.” Look up the following verses and record what background they give concerning Jesus’ use of the word “portion.”

Lamentations 3:24

Numbers 18:28,29

Psalm 73:26

9. What insight does this provide as to how we should see our time with the Lord?

10. One of the uses of “portion” is as daily food, which provides energy, focus and motivation. What other things can become our food source?

11. Once our minds get consumed with what needs to be done, it’s difficult to listen to God and to be reflective. What time of day have you found to be best for you to be able to really sit, listen, and hear from the Lord?

12. What things do you do in your times of prayer and Bible study to focus your mind and thoughts on the Lord?

13. Sometimes studying a book of the Bible can be helpful. What are you currently reading in the Scripture?

14. Briefly read through Luke 11:1-13. It is probably not accidental that Luke puts this story next. What things do you see in Jesus’ teaching on prayer, which would really help Martha regain a proper focus?

Memory verse

Luke 10:41 “You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.”

R E A L I Z E … R E F L E C T … R E D E E M T H E T R U T H

T A K I N G T I M E W I T H G O DThe story of Mary and Martha gives a perfect example of the dilemma many of us face. It seems like we are stuck with a choice The story of Mary and Martha gives a perfect example of the dilemma many of us face. It seems like we are stuck with a choice between knowing God and serving God. Life is simply busy. With work, school, relationships, and ministry involvement, find-between knowing God and serving God. Life is simply busy. With work, school, relationships, and ministry involvement, find-ing time to simply spend with God can be quite difficult. Yet, nothing is more important to our day to day lives than spending ing time to simply spend with God can be quite difficult. Yet, nothing is more important to our day to day lives than spending time with God. Just as most of us would not choose a lifestyle that neglected eating and bathing, we should prioritize our time with God as such an integral part of our daily routine, that it becomes a deeply embedded discipline.

A commitment to having regular personal devotions (also known as a “quiet time”) is essential to sustaining a dynamic, per-sonal walk with God. Whether you are a newer Christian who is just starting to learn how to pray and study the Bible, or an older Christian who has read the Bible cover to cover, your relationship with God simply requires a certain amount of time alone with Him. Just as you would expect that any relationship between two humans requires time and commitment to deep-en, so our relationship with God needs time and commitment if it is to grow.

The writers of the New Testament spoke often of their relationship to the Lord. Peter encouraged us to “...grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Paul prayed for the believers in Ephesus, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Ephesians 1:17). Even Jesus took regular time to be alone with God. Mark 1:35 tells us that Jesus went off by Himself, early in the morning (when there were fewer distractions) to spend time in prayer with His heavenly Father. Luke 22:39 suggests that a place called the “Mount of Olives” was a favorite quiet time spot for Jesus. Luke 6:12 even records that Jesus spent an entire night in prayer before choosing the twelve apostles. If Jesus, God in the flesh, found it necessary to spend unin-terrupted time with His Father, how much more should we? Three important ingredients for a valuable, daily devotional life are choosing a definite time, choosing a definite place, and having a guiding goal and plan. It may be best to follow Jesus’ example and take time with God early in the morning, before the distractions of the day have started to pull us in a dozen different directions. For those of us who just aren’t “morning people,” another time of the day can work, as long as we ensure that we block out the time to spend with God, and refuse to let anything else intrude on it.

Just as choosing a specific time to spend with God is important, finding a specific place to be with God is also important. Where you have your quiet time is not important in the sense that it needn't be a particularly “religious” location. Wherever we spend time with God, it should be a place of minimal distraction, where we will be able to spend uninterrupted time with Him. Regardless of where your “date” with God is planned, it’s important that you prepare yourself to arrive at your pre-planned time and place with a God-centered mindset.

The guiding goal and plan while having our devotional time with God should include at least two vital disciplines: allowing God to speak to us through His Word, and speaking to God through prayer. While there are other worthwhile ways to spend time with God, we must never let prayer and Bible study become neglected. These are two primary avenues to develop our relationship with God. We should seek to know and experience God by meditating on the Bible and focusing on His attributes. Attributes such as: His love for us, His grace in saving and forgiving us, His power displayed through creation, His majesty and greatness—each are worthy of our attention. When we read a passage of Scripture that speaks to us, we need to highlight it or write it down. For example, if we come upon a passage about loving one another, and then become aware of a relationship where we have not displayed love, we can assume that the Holy Spirit is drawing attention to our need to deal with that area. God communicates to us through His Word. This communication deepens as we respond to and apply what He is teaching us.

A R T I C L E L U K E

Just as in any other relationship, there needs to be the give and take of two-way communication. As God speaks to us through His Word, we need to speak to Him through our prayers. In prayer, we can be completely open and honest with Him. We can share our failures, confess our sins, discuss the things that trouble us, praise Him for who He is and thank Him for what He’s done. As we continually seek God in prayer, we will find Him more clearly directing us concerning what we ought to do or avoid.

The acrostic ACTS can be a helpful guideline for our prayers:(A) Adoration -- Praise God for who He is.(C) Confession -- Acknowledge your sins to Him.(T) Thanksgiving -- Express your appreciation for all that the Lord has done and promises to do.(S) Supplication -- Present your requests and concerns to Him.

While we need to continually keep prayer and Bible study as two important parts of our quiet time, creativity and variety also play an important role. It may sound unbelievable, but some Christians actually find ways to make intimate time with the God of the universe seem dull and uninteresting. Just as finding a variety of activities to enjoy together is important in human relationships (imagine how dull a dating relationship would get if the only “date” they ever went on was dinner and a movie), finding a variety of ways to spend time with God is important. Some other activities we can share with God during our quiet time include: listening to a teaching tape, singing praise choruses, praying through Scripture, memorizing a passage, outlin-ing a book of the Bible, keeping a journal of your prayers, doing a theme or word study, listing ways God has blessed your life, taking a prayer walk, writing a letter to God, being silent and listening to God, painting while focusing on God, reading a Christian book, praying about current events as you read a newspaper, meditating on God as you listen to inspirational music, or writing poetry to God. The possibilities are endless.

Where should you start? You should begin with an honest evaluation of what your devotional times with God look like now. How often do you have them? How long do they usually last? Are you actually planning your time with God or just trying to slip it in between “important activities”? Are your times with God meaningful, or are you distracted, or stuck in a rut? Are there activities you should cut back on to make more time to spend with God? Start fresh today, by spending 15 minutes ask-ing God what needs to change in your schedule, in your heart, and in your life, to get this vital area of your relationship with Him on the right track.

Copyright 2001 Campus Crusade for Christ, Inc. All rights reserved. This study may be copied, without alteration, for personal ministry use. Resale of this study for profit is strictly

forbidden. Published by WSN Press, 100 Lake Hart Drive--2500, Orlando, FL 32832.