Mary and Martha Welcome Jesus Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened.”
Jesus was going from town to town, teaching about God. Jesus and his friends were walking along the road. Step, step, step. They walked a long, long way. Then they came to a little village.
A woman named Martha lived there. She welcomed Jesus into her house. To welcome someone means to open your door and say: come in, we are glad you are here!
Martha had a sister called Mary. Mary was at home too, with her sister. Two sisters, and Jesus came to their house! Can you show two fingers for the two sisters?
In those days, guests were very special. People gave them water to wash their dusty feet. They gave them good food to eat. It was a lot of work. Maybe Martha wanted everything to be just right for Jesus.
Jesus began to teach about God. Mary sat down close to him, right at his feet. She heard his word. Mary did not get up. She stayed close to Jesus. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened.
In those days, people sat at a teacher’s feet to learn from him. A good teacher talks, and the learners listen. Can you sit very still and open your ears, like Mary? Shh. Listen. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened.
But Martha was very busy. She was distracted with much serving. Distracted means her mind was on many other things. Serving means getting everything ready for the guests. Back and forth she went, back and forth.
Maybe she was getting water. Maybe she was baking bread. There was so much to do! Busy, busy, busy! Can you show me your busy hands?
Martha worked and worked. She was all alone with the work. And Mary was still sitting there, close to Jesus. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened.
Martha came up to Jesus. She said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me.” Therefore means so. Martha wanted Mary to come and help. Maybe Martha was tired. Maybe she was a little cross.
Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha.” He said her name two times. Can you say it like Jesus? Martha, Martha.
Then Jesus said, “You are anxious and troubled about many things.” Anxious and troubled means worried and upset. Martha was worried about so many things. Jesus knew just how she felt.
“But one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.” One thing is needed means: only one thing really matters.
The good part was to be with Jesus and listen to him. Nobody would take that away from Mary. She could stay right there, close to Jesus. Jesus did not say Martha was bad. He spoke to her kindly.
Jesus loved both sisters, Martha and Mary, very much. The Bible tells us so. He had come to their house with God’s good words, and Mary was listening. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- What do you think Jesus talked about while Mary listened?
- How do you think Martha felt when she had so much to do?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Draw a line to who said it.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word” — Luke 10:39 (sat at Jesus’ feet → sit down on the floor; and heard his word → put your hand behind your ear)
Dear Jesus, thank you that you came to Martha and Mary’s house. Thank you that I can listen to your words too. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Time with Jesus Comes First
Memory verse: “But one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.” — Luke 10:42 · WEB
The Bible story
When Jesus visits two sisters, busy Martha rushes about while quiet Mary sits close to listen — discover the one thing that matters most of all.
Talk about it
- Who was walking from town to town with His friends? — Jesus
- What were the names of the two sisters? — Mary and Martha
- Who opened her door and welcomed Jesus inside? — Martha
- What did Martha hurry to do for Jesus? — Make a lovely meal
- What did Mary do while Martha worked? — Sat and listened to Jesus
- How did Martha start to feel in the kitchen? — Worried and upset
Where is Jesus in this story?
Jesus told Martha that only one thing was truly needed (Luke 10:42), and Martha learned it. Later, when her brother Lazarus died, Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life,” and Martha answered, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God” (John 11:25–27). Listening to Jesus is how anyone, busy or quiet, comes to know who he really is.
What God wants to tell us
God shows us that He does not want us to feel worried and rushed all the time. More than a perfect meal or a tidy house, God wants our hearts to be close to Him. When we take time to listen and talk with God, we find a peace that nothing else can give. Being with Jesus is the one thing we truly need.
Prayer
Thank You, God, for loving me just as You loved Mary and Martha. Help me to slow down and spend time close to You each day, listening to Your words. When I feel busy or worried, remind me that being with You is the very best thing. Amen.
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