Single lesson

Jesus Visits Martha and Mary

Luke 10:38–42

Jesus visits Martha’s house, and two sisters respond to him in different ways. This lesson helps children retell the account in order, notice each woman’s choice, and hear Jesus’ words about what is needed.

6–10 years30 minutes

Before you teach

In this passage, Jesus enters a village and is welcomed into Martha’s house. Martha serves, Mary sits at Jesus’ feet and listens to his word, and Jesus answers when Martha complains. The lesson stays with these verses and follows the conversation as Luke records it.

Learning aim

Students will be able to sequence Luke 10:38–42, describe Martha’s and Mary’s choices, and explain from Jesus’ words why Mary’s choice is called the good part.

Welcome: Who welcomed Jesus?

5 min

Begin by introducing the people in the account. Read Luke 10:38 and ask children to listen for who welcomes Jesus and where he goes. Point out that Martha receives him into her house. This gives the setting and helps children start the sequence with Martha’s welcome.

Luke 10:38

Read and explain: Mary listens, Martha serves

7 min

Read Luke 10:39–40 slowly. Help children notice the contrast in the verses. Mary sits at Jesus’ feet and hears his word. Martha is distracted with much serving. Explain that the passage names both actions clearly, so we can compare what each sister is doing without guessing extra details.

Luke 10:39, Luke 10:40

Discuss: What do Jesus’ words show about him?

6 min

Read Luke 10:40–42. Ask children what Martha says to Jesus and what Jesus says back. Then ask what Jesus’ answer shows about him. He speaks with authority about what is needed, he says Mary has chosen the good part, and he values listening to his word.

Luke 10:40, Luke 10:41, Luke 10:42

Make and respond: Story order cards

8 min

Children make simple sequence cards showing the story in order: Jesus enters the village, Martha receives him, Mary listens, Martha complains, Jesus answers. After ordering the cards, invite them to circle or mark the moment Jesus says what is needed. Emphasise that the response comes from his words in the passage.

Luke 10:38, Luke 10:39, Luke 10:40, Luke 10:41, Luke 10:42

Closing: What did Jesus say was best?

4 min

Finish by reviewing the main point in Jesus’ own words. Ask children to say which choice Jesus calls the good part. Then give one suggested response grounded in the passage: make time this week to listen carefully when Jesus’ word is being read. Keep the focus on Jesus’ answer in Luke 10:42.

Luke 10:39, Luke 10:42

Questions to explore

What did Martha do when Jesus came to the village?

Look at the first verse of the story and find the action Martha takes toward Jesus in her house.

Luke 10:38

What was Mary doing that Martha was not doing?

Compare Luke 10:39 with Luke 10:40 and notice Mary’s posture and attention to Jesus’ word.

Luke 10:39, Luke 10:40

What do Jesus’ words show about him in this passage?

Listen to what Jesus says about many things, one thing needed, and Mary’s good choice, and explain what that shows about the value of his word.

Luke 10:41, Luke 10:42

Make, think or respond

Five-Part Story Sequence Cards

What you’ll need

plain paper or card
pencils or textas
scissors
Bible

Try it together

Read Luke 10:38–42 together and list five moments from the passage.
Make five cards, drawing or writing one moment on each card.
Mix the cards up and have children place them in the order of the passage.
Ask children to point to the card that shows Mary listening and the card where Jesus answers Martha.
Review Jesus’ words about the good part before packing up.

This activity helps children sequence the account and notice that Jesus highlights listening to his word in Luke 10:39–42.

Adapt for your group

For younger children, prepare the five story moments orally first and let them draw one simple picture on each card with help.
For older or confident readers, ask them to write a short caption from each verse under their drawings and explain why Jesus says one thing is needed.

An optional closing prayer

You may pray: “Lord Jesus, thank you for your word. Please help us listen carefully to you and learn what is truly needed. Amen.”

Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic

Luke 10

³⁸ As they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word.

⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me.”

⁴¹ Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,

⁴² but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

World English Bible Classic. Public domain.