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Name:
Date:
Section: BIBL 104
Studying the Gospels
Passage: Luke 10:38-42
Instructions:
For this assignment, you will be studying a story from the Gospels. More specifically, you will
be studying Jesus encounter with Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. You will use the template
below in order to complete a study of this passage. In your study, you will use the skills of
Observation, Interpretation, Correlation, and Application that you have become familiar with
through your reading in Everyday Bible Study.
I. Observation
A. I have read Luke 10:38-42 in both a formal translation (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, or CSB)
and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer. You will find a
copy of the NASB, ESV, CSB, and NLT in your myWSB Library.
o Yes
o No
B. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying
1. Main characters: (List them)
Jesus, Martha, Mary
2. Plot: (50-100 words)
While on the way to Jerusalem with His disciples, Jesus visited a village in Bethany and was
welcomed into the home of Martha. Her sister Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to his
teachings, while Martha focused on the dinner she was preparing. Martha asked Jesus if he
thought it was for Mary to sit, while she did all the work and Jesus kindly responded to her with
love, and told her she chose the wrong area of focus, while Mary made the right choice.
3. Narrative structure: (50-100 words)
Introduction: Jesus visited a village in Bethany.
Inciting Incident: Martha asked Jesus if he thought it was fair for Mary to sit, while she did all
the work?
Rising Action: Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened, while Martha continued with her
preparations.
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Climax: Martha questioned Jesus and told him to tell Mary to come help her.
Falling Action: Jesus told Martha that she worries too much about the wrong thing and she did
not choose the right thing to be concerned about.
Resolution: Jesus explains to Martha that Mary has chosen the “Good Portion”, and it will not be
taken from her.
C. List basic observations about this passage using the “Key Question” for observation.
Remember to consult the list of items from the observation section in studying the Gospels in
Chapter 36. This will help you be more detailed in your answers to “who,” “what,” “where,”
“when,” “why,” and “how.”
1. Who:
•
Jesus
•
Martha
•
Mary
2. What:
Martha was upset that Mary was sitting down at Jesus’ feet while she was preparing for the big
dinner she had planned. She even felt it necessary to question if He thought it was fair that she
sits while she continues to work. Jesus told her that she was overly concerned about the wrong
thing and that Mary made the correct decision to be concerned about it, while Martha did not.
3. Where:
•
Village in Bethany
•
Martha’s home
4. When:
•
When Jesus was passing through on this way to Jerusalem.
5. Why:
Why was Martha so upset?
Why did Mary make the decision to sit at Jesus’ feet?
Why did Jesus tell Martha not to worry so much?
6. How:
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How did Jesus end up in Martha’s home in Bethany?
How did Martha react to Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet?
How did Jesus handle Martha’s line of questioning?
II. Interpretation
A. Determine the author’s main point. In 1-2 paragraphs (100-400 words) explain what you think
the author is trying to communicate in this passage. Remember to take into consideration that
this passage includes a conversation that Jesus has with Martha. Thus, this passage is both
showing and telling us something.
In this story, the point the author was trying to make is that Jesus was the priority and His
presence is what Martha should have been focusing on. There is an obvious difference of opinion
between Mary and Martha when Jesus visits their home. This could also be symbolic of how we
respond to instructions and the existence of Jesus and God in our own lives. Martha allows
herself to become so wrapped up with her dinner arrangements that she fails to realize that sitting
down and listening to Jesus Himself, was an opportunity of a lifetime. Instead, she complains to
Jesus that Mary should not be allowed to just sit there while she does all of the work. He
responds with, "Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." It
should be our goal to dedicate our most undivided attention when in the presence of the Lord, as
Mary did in the scripture or even in our time when we read the Word of God for ourselves. By
doing this, it allows us to better comprehend and apply the knowledge of the Word into our lives.
B. Based on your answer above, write out one principle from this passage. You should be able to
express this principle in 1-3 sentences.
The presence of God should be the priority and it is important to stop what you are doing in
order to hear His word.
We cannot allow things of this world to consume us so much to the point where we miss out on
what our priorities are.
God our Father, should be the priority and of utmost importance in our lives as true believers.
III. Correlation
A. How does this passage from Luke’s Gospel fit within the metanarrative of the Bible? State
what type of story you believe this to be (creation, fall, redemption, or new creation) and explain
why you believe this to be so. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in
length.
The story of Martha and Mary fits into the "new creation" theme of the bible's metanarrative.
God's purpose was revealed with the coming of His son, Jesus Christ. With the theme of "new
creation", we are reborn through Him. God’s desire to dwell with his people will come to fruition
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in the new heaven and new earth. (CartwrightHulshof, 2019, p. 44). Mary sat a Jesus' feet to
learn directly from Him. Martha was worried about dinner arrangements and she missed what
was important. Jesus understood Martha's concerns but he wanted to teach her where her
priorities should be. Jesus didn’t require Mary to help because she was doing the right thing.
Jesus made it possible for both men and women alike to enjoy his company because God's plan
of redemption included all of man. The new creation that God promises means the removal of
that which broke us on this side of heaven. The broken will be replaced by the new.
(CartwrightHulshof, 2019, p. 45). God’s original plan was perverted by Adam and Eve’s sin. God
gave His son, Jesus Christ so that our lives could be redeemed and in doing so, our identities are
renewed in Him.
B. How does your principle from Luke 10:38-42 fit with the rest of the Scripture? This principle
is the one you have written out in 1-3 sentences in the Interpretation section. If your principle is a
true Biblical principle it will be reflected throughout the Scriptures. Where is the principle
discovered in this New Testament narrative found elsewhere in the Scriptures? Your explanation
should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
One example of the principle of priority is in 1 Peter 2:4-10, Peter wrote to the true believers
who were dealing with the struggle of persecution. In a world where the followers of Jesus Christ
were forced to live among so many different pagan beliefs, it could have been very simple to lose
focus on the priorities of God’s people. There could have been a rift between the Jewish and
Gentile members of the church, causing a division among the church. Peter wrote to the believers
to outline the priorities they should keep in mind so that God's purpose could be fulfilled. The
first major section of his letter was sealed by showing that our salvation must be lived out by
being built upon Christ, in the Christian community, with a witness to the world: God’s people
must keep God central, be built together as His people, and proclaim His excellences to
others. https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-9-priorities-god-s-people-1-peter-24-10.
C. How does this passage from Luke’s Gospel reflect the person and work of Jesus Christ?
State and explain at least one way that the principle of this passage identifies something of the
person and work of Jesus Christ. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in
length.
This passage from Luke’s Gospel reflect the person and work of Jesus Christ in many ways. He
wanted to show the importance of women but also wants us to focus on him and not to worry
about the wrong things in His presence. Jesus didn’t do or say anything to diminish Martha’s act
of generosity. He intended to show her that the best way to serve Him while He is present, is
simply to sit and listen just as Mary did. Martha and Mary's treatment of Jesus is a display of
how generosity and love of God are connected. Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet, is an example of how
our service should be a personal relationship with him. Jesus not only wants our hospitality but
our fellowship as well. Jesus' teachings, coupled with God's word give us all we need, to help us
live our lives and be better Christians. It is evident throughout the bible that Jesus lived
righteously and faithfully. This was apparent in His teachings and actions. He welcomes us, men
and women alike, to sit and listen to his words, with no distractions or things we tend to
prioritize over Him.
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IV. Application
What points of application can be made using the Four Questions for Application? State and
explain 1 point of application for each of these four questions. Your explanation for each of these
points should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
A. The question of duty
The question of duty is the call to action and obedience. (CartwrightHulshof, 2019, p. 177).
Martha and Mary both displayed duty in this passage in their own ways. Martha’s version
showed a more traditional sense of duty, in which she felt it was more important to prepare her
household for a big dinner in honor of Jesus being there. This was not a blatant act of disrespect
on her part. She wanted to provide service in the best way she knew how. Mary’s example was
the best display of duty in this scenario. Jesus was present, so she sat at his feet to listen to His
every word. Both examples were genuine and from the heart but in this situation, Jesus just
wanted the attention to be in the right place.
B. The question of character
In our textbook, it tells us that “The question of character addresses the kind of person I should
become. This application question focuses on becoming the type of individual who chooses to do
right. (CartwrightHulshof, 2019, p. 177). I think in this story Martha’s character was good in her
own way. Her worries and concerns were about the preparations and the dinner she was having
for Jesus and His disciples. She just wanted to do right and serve in the best way she thought was
appropriate at the time. Mary’s character hits closer to the mark of where Jesus wants us to be in
the presence of the Lord. Sitting at his feet, listen to His teachings and making Him our priority.
C. The question of goals
Mary’s goal in this passage was to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to Him teach. Martha’s goal was to
prepare a feast for Jesus and His disciples. Our goals and causes also ought to line up with God’s
call on our lives as Christians. Are the things we are chasing and expending our energy on the
kinds of things that are becoming of a follower of God? (CartwrightHulshof, 2019, p. 178).
Martha’s example in this passage is synonymous of how many people, (believers included), will
place high importance on so many things in life. Bills, work, family, sports, etc. We have to get
to a place where we put the same level of priority on serving God as we do when we are in dire
need and we relay our concerns to God as priority #1! As our textbook tells us, “The practice of
doing good and working for the good of the household of faith is the kind of goal that ought to
inspire every Christian (Gal 6:6–10). (CartwrightHulshof 2019, p. 178)
D. The question of discernment
Mary’s behavior by far was the best example of discernment as defined in our textbook. A
discerning person is able to examine his surroundings and identify the things that are aligned
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with the viewpoint of God. In other words, Mary recognized that the presence of the Lord was a
priority and she knew in that very moment, she needed to be still and listen. It is this person who
can determine an appropriate action without having a list of things to do or things to avoid. Mary
did not allow Martha’s comments about her sitting at Jesus’ feet while she is left to do the work,
distract her or cause her to move. He sees life as God sees it and responds in that manner.
(CartwrightHulshof, 2019, p. 179). God wants His people to fellowship with Him on a personal
level. What could be more personal than to sit down at the Master’s feet and listen to His
teachings in the flesh?
