Smorgasbord!
Luke 10:38–42 (Martha and Mary)
Luke 10:38–42 (Martha and Mary)
If your church has recently shared a pot luck
, or if you have a tradition of lavish and varied coffee-hour fare, you have a direct path into this story. Or ask participants to recall gatherings on the recent July 4th weekend.
Some interpretations of this story find Jesus rebuking Martha (some even call her behavior “sin”), but the Greek suggests that difference need not involve a value judgment. For instance, what Martha is worrying about is literally “service” — diakonos — the same as the call that the apostles answered. And Mary is said to have chosen only the “good” thing, not the “better” (in this case I take the KJV over NRSV). The story carries rich opportunities for reinterpretation, but for young participants the best bet is probably to stick with alternatives they will recognize.
Any kind of practice that involves mixing many elements into a single result will work here, such as telling a progressive story, perhaps about a party or meal. Or cross a game of drawn charades with Preaching Colors, using just one marker that individuals use in succession to draw what that color evokes for them.
You can also make use of Thanksgiving imagery, crafts, and traditional songs, such as “Old Hundredth.”
You could go in the direction of the Eucharistic meal, including the direction of a Seder, or simply sing “Let Us Break Bread Together” (PH 513).
, or if you have a tradition of lavish and varied coffee-hour fare, you have a direct path into this story. Or ask participants to recall gatherings on the recent July 4th weekend.Some interpretations of this story find Jesus rebuking Martha (some even call her behavior “sin”), but the Greek suggests that difference need not involve a value judgment. For instance, what Martha is worrying about is literally “service” — diakonos — the same as the call that the apostles answered. And Mary is said to have chosen only the “good” thing, not the “better” (in this case I take the KJV over NRSV). The story carries rich opportunities for reinterpretation, but for young participants the best bet is probably to stick with alternatives they will recognize.
Any kind of practice that involves mixing many elements into a single result will work here, such as telling a progressive story, perhaps about a party or meal. Or cross a game of drawn charades with Preaching Colors, using just one marker that individuals use in succession to draw what that color evokes for them.
You can also make use of Thanksgiving imagery, crafts, and traditional songs, such as “Old Hundredth.”
You could go in the direction of the Eucharistic meal, including the direction of a Seder, or simply sing “Let Us Break Bread Together” (PH 513).
Photo copyright 2008 James Steidl, via iStockphoto.com #5975069
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