START TALKING

When you were a child, how busy was your mom or your parents? When did they seem the busiest?

How busy are the people in your life now? What makes them busy? How much of that is necessary busyness versus how much is busyness because of choices?

START THINKING

Read Luke 10:38-42. Take turns retelling this passage in your own words. Help each other build the story in a way that you would tell this story to someone who had never heard it before and knew very little about Jesus.

In verse 40, Martha was so distracted by what she had to do that she didn't take time to just be with Jesus. What are some of the things that most distract people today from spending time with Jesus?

START SHARING

Re-read verse 40. When have you felt like Martha or even prayed a prayer like what she says to Jesus? What seemed unfair to you? What did you wonder if God cared about because of what seemed like a difference between what you were doing versus what someone else was doing?

Re-read verses 41-42 in at least three different translations. How do you relate to what Martha is feeling? When do you feel like she did in that moment?

Jesus tells Martha that what she is anxious and worried about is all temporary. What are the things in life that distract you, worry you, and cause you the most anxiety? How much of that is ultimately temporary versus what will last forever?

At the beginning of verse 41, Jesus says, "Martha, Martha" or "My dear Martha," showing his compassion for her and her mindset. What does this say to you about when you are so busy that you get distracted? What is He inviting you to do in the same way he was inviting Martha? How does that make you feel?

START DOING

What can you do to focus on Jesus more than the list of things that - in reality - you have chosen to do that keep you busy?

How can you change the way you pray based on listening to Jesus versus telling Jesus? What are the actual steps you can take and practical things you can do to do this?

What are some choices you might need to make differently so that the "only thing" is your focus?

START PRAYING

Pray for each other in the micro church to take time to be poured into by Jesus. Pray that we take the steps, as counter cultural as they may be, to not choose busyness but rather simplify our lives so that time with Jesus can be the focus. Pray that from this we each have an opportunity to make a difference in someone else's life who doesn't yet know Jesus in this way.