The One Thing



📖 Bible Study: The ONE Thing |  Choosing the Better Part

Text: Luke 10:38–42
Theme: Loving Jesus through devotion before service

🌿 Introduction

In our busy lives, it is easy to feel like Martha—always doing, always rushing, always trying to serve. But in Luke 10:38–42, Jesus shows us that while serving is good, being with Him is better. This story of Martha and Mary teaches us how to balance our work for God with our walk with God.

📖 Scripture Reading

Read Luke 10:38–42 slowly and prayerfully.

At the Home of Martha and Mary

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

✨ Short Explanation

Jesus visits the home of two sisters. Martha is busy preparing and serving. Mary chooses to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen. Martha becomes upset and asks Jesus to correct Mary. But Jesus gently tells Martha that she is worried about many things, while Mary has chosen the “better part”—time with Him.

Background of the Passage

  • Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary in Bethany.

  • Martha is busy preparing and serving.

  • Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to His teaching.

  • Martha becomes frustrated and asks Jesus to correct Mary.

  • Jesus gently reminds her that Mary has chosen “the better part.”

Key Observations

a. Martha – The Busy Servant

  • She welcomed Jesus (v.38) — a good thing.

  • She served diligently (v.40) — also good.

  • But she became “worried and troubled about many things.”

  • Her service turned into stress and comparison.

b. Mary – The Listening Disciple

  • She sat at Jesus’ feet (v.39) — a position of a true disciple.

  • She chose to listen before doing.

  • Jesus says her choice “will not be taken away from her.”

c. Jesus – The Loving Teacher

  • He doesn’t condemn Martha, but corrects her gently.

  • He values relationship over activity.

  • He shows that being with Him is more important than working for Him.


Main Teaching Points

  1. Service is good, but it must flow from relationship.

    • We serve best after we have listened to Jesus.

    • Busyness without devotion leads to burnout.

  2. Distraction can steal our joy.

    • Martha was distracted by “many things.”

    • Good things can become bad when they pull us away from Jesus.

  3. The “better part” is time with Jesus.

    • Listening, learning, praying, and being in His presence.

    • This is something no one can take away from us.


💡 Reflection Questions

  1. Who do you relate to more—Martha or Mary? Why?

  2. What are the “many things” that make you worried or distracted?

  3. Have you ever felt stressed while serving God? What caused it?

  4. What does “sitting at Jesus’ feet” look like in your daily life?

  5. How can you balance serving God and spending time with Him?

📜 Takeaways / Things to Do / Life Application

  • Make time daily to “sit at Jesus’ feet” through prayer and Bible reading, even if only for a few minutes.

  • Before serving others, spend time with Jesus first.

  • Check your heart: serve with joy, not with pressure or comparison. 

    • Am I serving with joy or with pressure and comparison?
    • Choose what is most important, not just what is urgent. 

  • Remember: You are not just called to work for Jesus, but to walk with Him.

📌 Memory Verse

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.”
— Luke 10:41–42

🙏 Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, help us not to be distracted by many things. Teach us to choose the better part—time with You. May our service come from a heart that first listens, loves, and stays close to You. Amen.

#️⃣ Hashtags

#ChoosingTheBetterPart, #Luke10, #MarthaAndMary, #SitAtJesusFeet, #DailyDevotion, #BibleStudy, #ServeWithJoy, #WalkWithGod, #FaithLife,

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