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The Washing-Up Can Wait (Luke 10:38-42)

Ready for Impact (10 minutes)

Catch up on how things have been over the past week (over drinks and snacks if possible), taking time to let any new members introduce themselves. Then ask group members:

  • What’s the silliest argument you’ve ever been part of?

This term, we’re exploring some of the meals Jesus shared. Not only will this help us get to know Jesus better, we’ll see how the way he shared meals has loads of implications for how we experience student life today.

Ask for a volunteer to read Luke 10:38-42 to the group, praying a short prayer that, however much they’ve come to know Jesus, they’d know him better as a result of your time together.

Watch

If you’re not gathered in person, the leader should project the video for the group through sharing their screen. If you’re using Zoom, make sure you have optimized your screen share for video. You can download the video to watch offline.

Impacted by the Word (15 minutes)

Suggested questions to help your discussion.

  • List at least two things you learn about Martha and at least two things you learn about Mary in this passage.
  • How would you describe Martha’s attitude towards Jesus?
  • What do you think causes Martha to spin into such a frenzy?
  • What worries and priorities can distract you from hearing from Jesus?
  • If you were Martha, how might you have responded to Jesus’ words in verses 41-42?
  • How might Martha’s story have been different if she’d first sat at Jesus’ feet?
  • What might it mean to ‘sit at Jesus’ feet’ today, even while he’s physically absent?

The Gospel accounts show that that Jesus treated women as friends. This was noteworthy in a culture where women were not held in high regard. In an time when women could be treated as lower than animals or servants, Jesus treated women with dignity and value. Jesus praised women and used women as examples of what it meant to love and serve him (see, for example, Luke 21:1-4

In Jesus’ day, most women were not given the opportunity to be educated. Many leaders – including religious ones – viewed educating women as scandalous. Today’s episode debunks this ideology. Jesus’ willingness to allow women like Mary to listen to his teaching went against rabbinic practices – and showed that Jesus loved and included women amongst his followers.

Women were present at both the death (Luke 23:29, 49) and the empty tomb of Jesus (Luke 24:1-12). These women gathered to be near Jesus and to honour him in his death. Women clearly enjoyed Jesus’ company and knew they had no reason to fear him, that they might be belittled by him, or that they’d be treated as objects or seducers.

For more on these themes and more, check out the Worthy podcast.

Impacting Our Hearts (15 minutes)

You might like to each complete the Ten Second ‘Am I Too Busy?’ Quiz. Regardless of how you individually scored, student life can certainly be busy. It’s easy to lose focus on what’s truly important. Each of us needs to learn to sit at Jesus’ feet.

  • Ask any returning students in your group to share wisdom they have on prioritising ‘the one thing’ as a student.
  • How busy is the next week looking for each of you? How can you pray for and encourage each other’s attentiveness to Jesus before you meet next week?

Being part of a church is a crucial way for every believer to listen to Jesus’ words today. Gently ask how new students are doing in finding churches to be part of in your city, then ask for group members to pray sentence-long ‘popcorn prayers’ in the light of your discussions.

Impacting the University (10 minutes)

Through today’s story, we’ve seen that focused time with Jesus is essential to keep our priorities in check, and to be rightly motivated to serve him and others.

Feedback on how you got with last week’s activity, then choose another to undertake together this week (ideally a different category to whatever you did last time).

Get nourished: for group bonding

Commit to sending messages throughout the week in a group chat. Take a moment to add any newcomers to the group. Then aim to encourage each other with what God is teaching you.

Offer a taste: to do together

Meet this week for a prayer breakfast. Eat together, then pray specifically for the friends God has placed you amongst.

Add spice: a personal challenge

Send course-mates or flat-mates a personalised invitation to come to church with you. Cook or go for a meal before or after the service. Be ready to explain why church is important to you.

  • Commit to at least one of these activities in the week ahead, and pray for what you have planned. Make the necessary plans, then keep each other updated with progress during the week in your group chat!
  • Pray too for any personal prayer points, asking that Jesus would help group members not to be unnecessarily worried by them.

Wrap-up – think TACOS 🌮

  • Thank You – Thank everyone for coming, and ask someone to thank God for your time together in prayer.
  • Ask – Ask those who are new to reading the Bible if they’d like to explore Uncover, a set of sessions in Mark’s Gospel, allowing them to investigate Jesus for themselves alongside one of you.
  • Church and CU – What does the CU have planned ahead? And what help would group members value in finding a local church?
  • Others – Who else could you invite to join your CU Impact Group next week? These friends don’t need to be followers of Jesus and may really appreciate being invited.
  • See You Soon – Tell the group where and when you’ll meet next week, and arrange who will bring snacks. (You might like to alternate healthy and less healthy weeks!). See if anyone would be up for sharing a meal or hanging out socially in the meantime!