Week 2

Living As Disciples Worship Series: WEEK 2
July 21, 2019

Week 2: Living as Disciples – Love by Listening

Luke 10:38-42

Fellowship – Snacks (10 minutes)

Gathering and Opening (10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, discuss the following: “Do you find periods of silence and stillness welcome or anxiety producing? Why do you think you feel the way you do?”

Optional exercise: Break into the groups from the end of last week’s session. Give a report regarding the people to whom you attempted to extend mercy. Discuss: “What went well? What did you learn?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Before reading the passage, take two minutes of silence. Read: Luke 10:38-42. Following the passage, take another two minutes of silence.

• In John’s Gospel we read of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. Lazarus has no part in this story. Since it takes place in Galilee and not Bethany, the siblings likely are not the same. It is interesting and important that Mary and Martha are named outside of their relationship with any male counterpart and that this meeting takes place in “her home” (v. 38). It displays female leadership during the ministry of Jesus. What is the church’s role in listening to and lifting up female leadership?
• What is Martha’s assumption in verse 40 about Mary’s behavior (or lack thereof)? [That Jesus will agree with her about Mary’s behavior.]
• What is Martha busy doing (v. 40)? [Luke doesn’t tell us. Perhaps the ambiguity points to the numerous “important” kinds of work we choose over the importance of developing our relationship with Christ, as Mary was doing.]
• In a two-minute period, work as a group to name as many activities as you can that can become a hinderance to seeking God.
• What activities can we do to put us at the feet of Christ? [Prayer, Bible study, fasting (can be from social media, television, food, drinks, etc.), worship, acts of compassion, etc.].
• Choose one (or more) activities that you will commit to this week that will help you intentionally be at the feet of Christ.
• Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). Before ending in prayer, spend at least one minute in silence:

Almighty God, while we are often looking for you in the activity and in the miraculous, you often seek us in the quiet and still places. Good Shepherd of our souls, guide us into green pastures that provide needed rest and nurture. Heal us from our obsession with efficiency and productivity that we might be available to be used by you for the building of the kingdom. Amen.