The big ideaThe Bible tells us Mary chose the good part when she sat and listened to Jesus.
How it works
Jesus and his friends walked to Bethany, a village on a hill near Jerusalem. Two sisters, Martha and Mary, lived there.
Martha opened the door and told them all to come in. She hurried to the kitchen to cook a big meal.
Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened, because in those days students sat at their teacher's feet to learn.
Martha asked Jesus if he cared. He spoke kindly and said Mary had chosen the good part.
Two sisters.
Example 1: Tell what each sister did
Martha cooked: she stirred, chopped and tasted the stew.
Mary sat and listened to Jesus.
The episode says Martha showed her love by serving, and Mary showed hers by listening.
Example 2: How did Jesus answer?
Martha asked him to tell Mary to help her.
Jesus did not tell Mary to go. He looked at Martha with great kindness.
He said her name softly, and said Mary had chosen the good part.
Example 3: Fix the mistake
Someone says Jesus spoke in an angry voice.
Look back: the story says he looked at Martha with great kindness.
Fix it: he spoke gently, because he cared about both sisters.
Words to know
host
Someone who welcomes guests into their home.
Bethany
A village on a hill, close to the city of Jerusalem.
disciple
A student who follows a teacher and learns from him.
worried
Feeling upset about something that might go wrong.
Watch out
Jesus said Martha was worried and upset about many things. The episode says he cared about both sisters.
The Bible does not say what Martha did next. The episode says maybe she sat down too.
Martha thought Mary was doing nothing at all, but Mary was listening to every word.
Try it
Where did Mary sit?
What was Martha busy doing?
How did Jesus speak to Martha?
What had Mary chosen?
Answers: 1. At the feet of Jesus · 2. Cooking a big meal · 3. With great kindness · 4. The good part
Try at homeWith a grown-up, sit somewhere quiet for a few minutes and just listen, then tell each other what you heard.
For grown-upsThis note and sheet stay with what the episode tells. If your child asks which sister was right, you can say the story says Jesus cared about both.
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