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Bible Study Project: Application Template Example

Passage: Luke 10:38-42

What points of application can be made using the “Four Questions for Application?” State and explain 1 point of application for each of these four questions. Your explanation for each of these points should be 1 paragraph (200-300 words) in length, clearly connected to a part of this passage (by way of a verse quotation and/or citation), specific to this passage, and relevant.

A.
The question of duty

In Luke 10:38-42, Martha exemplified the danger of duty-driven service. The same obsession with accomplishments and “getting things done” that took Martha’s eyes off Jesus pervades today’s culture. In obedient response to the message of this story, a Christian should fight the competitive, productivity-based tendencies of the human heart. Attempting to find satisfaction in her own accomplishments, Martha made serving Jesus more important than being in communion with the Lord himself. Her misplaced priorities failed to provide rest or peace; instead, Martha felt anxious. She even acted impatiently towards Mary, who wisely rejected a duty-driven mentality. Mary fought Martha’s obsession with productivity, and she allowed Jesus to teach her. Likewise, Christians today must prioritize rest in the presence of Jesus, giving God opportunities to speak through His Word. To a worldly culture that glorifies efficiency, setting aside time to pray, study Scripture, worship, and simply rest in the presence of God seems awfully wasteful. Regardless, Christians must labor counterculturally, finding time to rest and enjoy the riches of God’s mercy and love. Service completed out of obligation leads to dissatisfaction while love-driven service will result from intimately knowing the One who offers unending peace, grace, and joy.

B.
The question of character

This story challenges Christians to possess peace and rest in the place of anxiety. Jesus did not reject Martha’s desire to serve; rather, he disapproved of her anxiety and worry. He contrasted Martha with Mary, who found peace as she sat at the Lord’s feet to hear his teaching. Jesus’ rejection of anxiety appears prevalently throughout Scripture. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus instructed his followers not to be anxious about their lives and called them to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (v. 33a ESV). Likewise, the apostle Paul instructed the Christians in Philippi: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6 ESV). Jesus and the apostle Paul insisted that rest should trump worldly obligations as Christians cultivate intimacy with God. In the sanctifying work of Christ through the Holy Spirit, Christians will cultivate peace and rest. The chains of duty that troubled Martha will progressively fall off through the work of the Holy Spirit. Christians will learn to rest in the sufficiency of Christ’s redemptive work on the cross, and peace will rule their hearts.

C.
The question of goals

The message of Luke 10:38-42 indicates that prioritizing rest in God’s presence will reorient Christians’ desires and motivate genuinely loving service. Jesus did not disregard service entirely, for doing so would have contradicted his other teachings (e.g. Mark 10:43-45). Rather, Jesus devalued duty-driven service that attempted to earn satisfaction based on works. He rejected Martha’s anxiety that resulted from a fixation with productivity. In contrast, Jesus commended Mary for maintaining proper priorities as she sat before the Lord humbly. Learning from this passage, Christians should prioritize communion with God: learning from Him and resting in His presence. As Christians spend time with God and learn how much their Heavenly Father loves them, genuine service will result. Christians will serve with selfless love; they will not serve out of obligation in order to earn God’s affection or approval. In the
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, the author writes, “Jesus’ gentle rebuke serves as a perpetual reminder not to major on minor matters. Jesus must not be neglected in the name of service” (Butler). Ultimately, the passage challenges Christians to evaluate their goals, motivating them to prioritize communion with God and serve only with the genuine love that comes from doing so.

D.
The question of discernment

In Mark 10:43b-45, Jesus says, “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (ESV). Meanwhile, in Luke 10:38-42, Jesus challenged Martha’s obsession with service. Juxtaposed, the two passages demonstrate that Jesus calls us to glorify the Lord both through service and rest in His presence; however, Jesus does not give Christians a rulebook to follow as they strive to obey both commands. Thus, discernment as it relates to the story of Mary and Martha involves learning when to work and when to rest. Likewise, the passage teaches Christians that discernment often deals with their motivations for obedience. Jesus did not condemn Martha for serving – He disapproved of the anxiety that resulted when Martha made productivity her first priority. As Christians aim to see the world as God sees it, they begin to evaluate their motivations and learn how to balance service and rest, buoyed by the grace of God as the Holy Spirit sanctifies them.

Bibliography

Butler, Trent C. “Martha.” In
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, edited by Chad Brand, Charles Draper, Archie England, Steve Bond, and E. Ray Clendenen. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003.