What kind of voice do you think Martha used when she said to Jesus, : “Ask her to help me.” Was it a sweet voice like this? [Say it in a loving voice, then let two or three children say it in the kind of voice they think she used.]
Suggestion: Use a second person to talk or create a distraction, at the beginning of the lesson, while the lesson leader is greeting the children. Have you ever been in a room when a radio or television is turned so loud you can hardly think? Sometimes a car will go by playing very loud music and it feels as if the noise thumps in your head. This is called a distraction. (Comment on the distraction created in your situation by the second person talking at the beginning of the lesson.)
There are times when we must do our chores and there are times when we must take time to listen. If we become too busy, we may miss hearing the beautiful songs of birds, rain on the roof or laughter. Sometimes people have important things they need to tell us. It may be a wonderful story, it may be instruction, it may be a warning to keep us safe, or it may be that the person is asking for help. We can help ourselves and others by being very quiet and listening. Being a good listener can be a way of honoring others and of honoring God.
Jesus was telling the man who asked the question that there is no list of who is a neighbor and another list of whom you can ignore. We are to act like a neighbor to anyone who needs a neighbor! Anyone!
A poet who lived in New England, Robert Frost, said in one of his poems, "Good fences make good neighbors." What he meant by this is that at least once a year two neighbors, who shared a stone fence, would walk together, one on one side of the fence and one on the opposite side. If a stone had come loose or there were areas in the fence that needed repair the two neighbors would work together to replace stones and mend the fence. They helped each other. That's a good way to be a good neighbor. In the Bible Jesus teaches us about how to be a good neighbor. He teaches us to love "your neighbor as yourself" (10:27).
As we think about these helping dogs, let's think of ways we could be more helpful to others. It may be that we can get the mail or pull weeds for an elderly person, read to younger brothers or sisters, help mom in the kitchen, vacuum the car or make our bed without being asked. Can you think of other ideas that would make things easier for a family member, a friend or a neighbor?
Jesus said, "…don’t rejoice in this… but rejoice that your names are written in heaven" (10:20). Because the disciples followed Jesus, because they had spread the good news of God's love, their names were written on a heavenly list. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have our names on such a list?
When Jesus lived on earth he appointed seventy people to go in pairs "into every city and place, where he was about to come" (10:1). He told them that when they went into a home they were to say, "Peace be to this house" (10:5). He also said, "Whoever listens to you listens to me…" (10"16). In this way, Jesus selected team members and gave them authority to represent God. He sent teams of people out to carry God's message of peace. The peace that was offered was like a uniform so others would know who the disciples represented and which team they were on. Jesus gave them authority and also protection.
The disciples were angry at the people of the village for not letting them stay. They wanted Jesus to use his special power to punish that village. But Jesus said "No". They just kept on walking toward Jerusalem with people along the way watching them. They knew something scary was going to happen.
In our lives, just as with plowing, we need to look ahead and stay focused on what we are doing. Our goal is to follow Jesus in the best way we can. He offers us forgiveness so we can go on with our lives and not be looking back, worrying about what has happened in the past. Jesus says, "Follow me!" (9:59).