Lesson 7 "Mary & Martha"

A Study of Differences

(Please read Luke 10:38-42, John 12 1-3 & Mark 14:3-9)If at all possible, read it in at least two different translations for a beter understanding.



1. Next to each word, place an 'a'  for Mary, a 'b' for Martha, or a 'c'  for both:


Active ________ Meditative ________ Impulsive ________ Loving ________ Attentive ________ 
Guilty of complaint ________ Grateful Giver ________ Spiritual Scholar ________ Hospitable ________
Rebuked by Jesus ________ Gave Freely of Her Gifts ______

"Though their tempermants were poles apart, after the passing of their brother, they were one in spirit, and Jesus understood and loved them both." (Deen)

2. Even in their grief, they were different. Describe, in your own words, how you believe each one felt. How they reacted and why:




Jesus looks at each of us, individually. He sees our hearts, understands our motives, delights in our love and devotion to Him. Although we are all different from one another, we can serve Him, love Him, and learn of Him in the midst of our differences.

3. I find that I identify most with Mary [     ] Martha [     ]. Explain:


4. What touched my heart most about Mary's life/example is (and explain why):


5. What touched my heart most about Martha's life/example is (and explain why):


6. If you had to choose one specific trait from each sister, what would you choose for yourself and why:


7. If there is anything I don't want from their personality trait(s), it's: 


______________________________________________________________________ Explain:




HONEST REFLECTION: After these last two questions, am I serious enough about my answers to share them with others and to truly pray for the Lord to help show me how to rid myself of the negative and focus on obtaining the positive?

Of Martha, Lockyer says that "He (Jesus) recognized that she was working for Him, but reminded her that she was permitting her outward activities to hinder her spirituality. Because of wrong emphasis regarding her necessary labor, her inner communion with her Lord was being hindered."

AFTERTHOUGHT: (notes from Lockyer, pgs 91 & 106)

"Some are all Martha, and no Mary. Others are all Mary and no Martha. The happy combination is that of Martha and Mary, the practical and the spiritual making possible the glory of the commonplace. The church requires both Marys and Marthas for both are necessary to complete the Christian character (1 Timothy 4:13-16; James 1:25-27)

"From their examples we can surely learn:

1. To sit at the feet of Jesus and learn of Him.
2. To keep so-called secular service in its right place, conscious that both serving and learning are duties, and in both we should honor God.
3. To trust the Lord with our cares, responsibilities and sorrows knowing that He is able to undertake for us. If His help appears to be delayed we must remember that He is never before His time, and that He never lags behind.
4. To offer our best to Him who broke the alabaster box of His own body that heavenly forgiveness and fragrance might be ours."

"Mary gave to the limit of her love and ointment. Will the Lord say of us when we see Him face to face - You have done what you could? Do we constantly anoint Him as the Chosen of our hearts? Are His feet perfumed with our richest gifts?"