Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”
Have you ever read a verse or story from the Bible and tried to make sense of it on its own, without understanding the context of the larger story? Why do you think we do this so often, and what do you think we potentially miss as a result?
The larger context of this story about Mary and Martha is Jesus has been talking for awhile now about what it means to be a good person who does good things for all people regardless of their differences. Those listening have just heard the story of the Good Samaritan, a person in their time and context (and stereotyping) who had no redeeming qualities. But Jesus recognizes the Samaritan is good, does the right thing. Fast forward to this story of Mary and Martha. Mary, a woman, is sitting and listening to her teacher as a disciple would. Maybe in a seat that others think should not be reserved for her. What does this say about our own assumptions about who other people are based on our own preconcieved notions?
Why does Martha not notice what’s going on? What keeps her from noticing what’s happening here? What keeps us from noticing what’s going on around us?
Since the back story is also about hospitality and welcoming others - from the story of sending the 72 disciples out to the Good Samaritan it seems like Martha is doing this. She’s prepping the food, and cleaning and doing all things hospitable. Maybe Jesus is pointing out we need to pause sometimes even in the good things we are doing to enjoy the moment. Do you find it difficult to pause and enjoy the moment? To put down your to-do list and be fully present (with your friends, co-workers, kids, spouse)? Why is this hard?
How good are you at listening? Listening for understanding and interest in what someone else is saying/opining, rather than gathering your rebuttal or considering what you’re going to contribute to the conversation? What God moments are we missing when we aren’t fully present?
He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.” And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Have you ever had someone stop by unexpectedly and felt unprepared? Or a last minute drop-by where you scrambled to clean, host, make things presentable? What was that like for you?
This story of the Lord’s prayer comes on the tail end of several stories about what it means to be hospitable. Luke’s version is different from the other gospels because it includes this story of the persistent neighbor who had a surprise guest and is off to his neighbor’s house looking for food for his guest. He keeps knocking until the neighbor gives him the food. What is something you’ve been doggedly persistent about going after or pursuing? Did you attain or get that thing?
Do you easily believe this concept around persistence - “ask and it will be given, seek and you will find”? Why or why not?
This prayer reminds us of what it means to be followers of Christ. We pray this together, we should act and behave this way towards others - feed others, forgive others. Why do you think Luke chooses to follow the Lord’s prayer with this story?
There’s this part in the story where Jesus compares human fathers and their gifts to their kids to God’s giving of gifts to His children. And how much better or more God will provide. Do you struggle with the idea that God loves you unconditionally in this way? Do you struggle to receive that love, to feel forgiven, to not self-condemn?
