Spending Time with God (for the week of September 20, 2020)

Spending Time with God
(for the week of September 20, 2020)
(PDF file at bottom)
 
 
This Week’s Scripture: Luke 10:38-42
 
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
 

Pastor Phillip’s Key Idea
 
“Mary wanted to take advantage of Jesus' presence and for that reason sat at his feet to hear his teaching. We get to go into God’s presence!”
 

Discussing the Scripture

1. Describe what’s going on in the story (setting, people, etc.). 
2. What is Martha doing? What concern does she share with Jesus? Why? 
3. What is Mary doing? What appears to be her main focus? Explain.
4. How does Jesus reply to Martha? Why do you think Jesus responded in this way?
5. What sorts of things do you think Martha was “anxious and troubled” about? What are the things you are anxious and troubled about?
6. Which sister do you more closely identify with? Why?
7. We know there will always be work, chores, errands, etc., that need to be done. These are often important. Therefore, why do you think Jesus said that what Mary’s had chosen was better and would not be taken away from her? (What made it better?)
8. What are ways you have rationalized your time spent pursuing “the urgent” to the exclusion of pursuing the truly important?
9. What are some ways you can cultivate your relationship with God by spending time with him throughout an ordinary day? (Also, see “Next Steps” below.)
10. How can developing these spiritual habits bless you during those days that aren’t so “ordinary.”
11. How can prioritizing regular time spent with God help you when you are feeling anxious and troubled?
12. What are other thoughts or questions you had as you read through this Scripture? Discuss them with your group.

 
Next Steps

• Take a look at your schedule this week and pray about when, where, and how you can spend more intentional time with God – whether it’s in your favorite chair at home, driving down the road, or doing household chores.

 

• Write down those ideas and start preparing ways to help you follow through. (Examples: making time on your calendar, putting your Bible and favorite devotional next to your chair, finding some online worship music and/or sermons to listen to as you’re driving, mowing the yard, etc. Share ideas with your group.)

 

• Ask a trusted Christian friend to help you “choose what is better.” Pray with and for one another about this.

 
ACTS (A prayer guide for this lesson)

• A – Adoration (What did you learn about Jesus in this lesson? Offer some words of praise and adoration for what you learned about our Lord.)

 

• C – Confession (Was there a sin or struggle this lesson helped you see in yourself more clearly. Confess this to God and ask him to help you turn from it and toward greater spiritual growth. Read 1 John 1:9)

 

• T – Thanksgiving (What spiritual truth did you learn in this lesson? Spend time thanking God for revealing it to you.)

 

• S – Supplication (Pray for any needs of the members of your group, including their spiritual needs.)

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