Breaking Ground
What’s your favorite love story (across any medium or genre)? Why?
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued our series Jesus the Christ & Advent by exploring the theme of love through the story of Mary & Martha.
How would you define love? What makes you feel loved? What makes you feel unloved? Why?
Next, read Luke 10:38-42. In this story, Jesus enters the home of two sisters named Mary & Martha. Mary shows Jesus love by remaining present with & listening to him, while Martha tries to do so by producing things for him. Ultimately, Martha judges & criticizes Mary’s lack of productivity, only for Jesus to defend her choice.
What do you think is motivating each sister to act in the ways that they do here? How might their understanding of love be producing their mindset, attitudes, & actions (both towards Jesus, themselves, & one another)?
As Pastor Scott mentioned on Sunday, the point of this story isn’t that Martha’s activity is inherently a bad thing; but rather that her judgmental attitude towards her sister & inability to just be present is standing in the way of a healthier posture towards both Jesus, her sister, herself, & even her own activity.
Why is actually being present to another person so important to loving them well? What happens when we fail to make this our first priority in seeking to love others?
What is it about judgmentalism that makes it such an inhibitor to being present with & loving others? How does it become a barrier to loving ourselves & others like Jesus does?
How can our desire to produce for others get in the way of us actually loving them well? How can we love others by balancing BOTH doing things for them & just being present with them?
Which of these characters do you relate to most? How might this invite you to embrace a healthier vision of love in this next season of your life?
Getting Out of the Hole
In this series, take time each week to reflect upon the story from the story & how you can find yourself within it during this season of your life.
- Read Luke 10:38-42. First, break this story down into pieces. What is Jesus doing in this story? How are people responding to him? What changes by the end of the story?
- Next, close your eyes & reflect upon the story. Imagine yourself in it. Put yourself into the space of the various characters & imagine what it would be like to encounter Jesus in the story.
- What images, teachings, or ideas speak to you the most in this story? What intrigues or confuses you? What feelings arose as you thought about being in the story? How can this story impact your life & your relationship with Jesus in this next season?
Journal, reflect, & pray on how God might be speaking to you through each week’s teaching. Share your experience with your growth group next week!
Additional Resources*
TheBibleProject.com
Simply Jesus by NT Wright
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
Coming Up This Week:*
Tuesday, December 24th: Join us on CHRISTMAS EVE at 3:00 & 5:00PM as we celebrate the birth of Jesus!
* Please see mye3.org for details.