Luke 10, 38-11,13

Martha and Mary

Luke 10:38–42

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.
40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said,
“Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”
41 But the Lord answered her,
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,
42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

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The Lord’s Prayer

Luke 11:1–13

1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him,
“Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”

2 And he said to them,
“When you pray, say:
‘Father,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.

3 Give us each day our daily bread,
4 and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”

5 And he said to them,
“Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him,
‘Friend, lend me three loaves,

6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’;

7 and he will answer from within,
‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’?

8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.

9 And I tell you: ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent,
12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

13 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!”

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Introduction

Hello everyone, I am Kiki.
The Chinese name of the second phase of our program is “读经大讲堂”.
The English name is “Bible Study.”

We adopt a relaxed and enjoyable learning style to guide you into a new learning experience.
Each time, I will share a personal summary and analysis from a learner’s perspective. Then Sister Ingrid will help lead us into deeper study and discussion.

I hope this interactive and joyful process brings new insights to everyone.
Below is my discussion with Sister Ingrid on today’s passage.

Today is the 30th lecture on the Gospel of Luke.
Everyone is welcome to leave comments and join the discussion!

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2. My Summary of the 30th Study of Luke

Well everyone, here is my personal study summary for today.

This passage from the Bible teaches us two important lessons about what truly matters.

First, we meet two sisters, Martha and Mary. Martha is busy and stressed, trying to be a good host and doing all the work. Mary, however, chooses to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to his words.

When Martha complains, Jesus gently explains that Mary has chosen the better way: being with him and learning from him. Work itself is not wrong, but our relationship with God must come first. We should not allow busyness and worry to distract us from what matters most.

Second, Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray.
He gives them a simple model—the Lord’s Prayer—which focuses on honoring God, trusting him for daily needs, and asking for forgiveness and guidance.

Then Jesus encourages us to pray with confidence and persistence. He tells a humorous example: even a grumpy friend who is already in bed will eventually help if you keep asking. How much more will our loving and perfect God listen to us?

Jesus compares God to a good father, who would never give his child something harmful when they ask for food. If imperfect people know how to give good gifts, how much more will God give the best gift—the Holy Spirit—to those who ask him.

Together, these passages teach us to prioritize time with Jesus, to learn from him, and to pray regularly with honesty, trust, and confidence in God’s love.

Now, Sister Ingrid will share a deeper reflection.

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3. Sister Ingrid’s Comment on My Study Summary

Hello sister,

Sometimes we want to serve the Lord and develop our spiritual gifts so much that we forget the most important thing, as you already said: sitting at his feet and listening to him.

But how can we listen today, when Jesus is no longer physically present?
We are sealed with the Holy Spirit, who speaks to us. When we stop being busy and constantly active, we can hear his gentle, quiet voice.

We can read the Bible, and together with the Holy Spirit, the Word of God is revealed to us.

This is why a relationship with God is not the same as religion.
In religion, ministry comes first—you have to work as much as possible for your god.

In Christianity, the relationship with Jesus and the Father comes first.
Therefore, before you begin to serve Jesus, take time alone with him—not as an obligation, but as a privilege you have as a child of God.

The disciples noticed that Jesus often went to the mountains to pray. They did not know how to pray, so Jesus gave them a simple model.

This prayer is not meant to be memorized and repeated mechanically, but to show how and for what we should pray.

Jesus’ conclusion is very meaningful: he does not promise material things, but says that God the Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask.

Some people may feel disappointed because they expected material answers to prayer. But receiving the Holy Spirit is far better, because he guides us through life and helps us find what we truly need each day.

Jesus also reminded the disciples on another occasion how important it is to put God’s kingdom first.

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4. Question List (Based on Luke – Lesson 30)

These questions are based on today’s Bible study.
We hope they help brothers and sisters who are new to the Christian faith.

1. Why was Martha upset with her sister Mary, and what did she want Jesus to do?

Martha was upset because Mary did not help her with the housework. She wanted Jesus to rebuke Mary and tell her to help.

2. What was Mary doing instead of helping Martha?

She was sitting with Jesus and listening to his teaching.

3. How did Jesus respond to Martha’s complaint?

He said that she was anxious and troubled about many things.

4. According to Jesus, what is the “one thing” that is necessary?

Listening to him and spending time with him—and Mary had chosen this.

5. What did the disciples ask Jesus to teach them, and why?

They asked him to teach them how to pray, because John had taught his disciples to pray.

6. In the Lord’s Prayer, what does Jesus teach us to ask for?

First, submission to God’s holiness and will, then daily bread, forgiveness, and guidance in temptation.

7. What is Jesus teaching through the story of the friend at midnight?

That we can pray at any time and that persistent prayer opens doors.

8. What does Jesus promise if we ask, seek, and knock?

We will receive, we will find, and the door will be opened.

9. What do the examples of the fish and the egg show?

That God does not give harmful things to his children. Even imperfect humans give good gifts—how much more does God.

10. What is the best gift the Heavenly Father gives?

The Holy Spirit.