Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World Study Guide: Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life, Participant's Guide, 12-week sessions

by Joanna Weaver

A companion study guide that helps participants answer the question: How do we blend intimacy with Jesus and service for him in the midst of our busy, hectic lives?
 
Joanna Weaver’s signature book, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, explores how each one of us has some Mary and some Martha within. The Mary in us wants to leave the dishes and sit at Jesus’ feet, while the Martha in us wants to attend to the multiple tasks around us. In this ten-session study guide, designed as a companion resource to the bestselling book and companion video content, available separately, Joanna reminds us that Jesus extends to us the same invitation he gave these sisters of Bethany: Come to Me .
 
Featuring an expanded and revised version of the book’s original study, this beautiful guide provides space to capture what’s been learned from reading the assigned book chapters and the study of God's Word. Practical sidebars, memory verses, video pages, and “Make a Plan” prompts make this a resource women will turn to long after the study is done. As we discover the best of both the Mary and the Martha parts of our lives, we will deepen our devotion to God and learn to delight in sitting at his feet.
 
Created for both individuals and groups, this study guide enhances opportunities for personal reflection and/or group discussion around the bestselling book. To get the most out of the study, each participant will need a copy of the book and the study guide. Ten sessions of video content, approximately twenty minutes each, are also available on DVD or by online streaming.

Genres: Christian, Religion, Faith, Nonfiction, Self Help, Christian Non Fiction, Spirituality

128 pages, Paperback

First published July 16, 2013

About the author

With over 1.6 million books sold, Joanna Weaver is known for her transparent and life-changing books, Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World, Having a Mary Spirit, Lazarus Awakening, At the Feet of Jesus and her new book, Embracing Trust. Her podcast, "The Living Room with Joanna Weaver" was featured in Apple's New & Noteworthy. Joanna is passionate about seeing women experience all that God has for them - especially the joy and freedom that comes from trusting Him.

Reviews

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book and so many valuable life lessons along with ways to grow closer to God. I'm thankful for the book and would like to read it again in a more in-depth setting that would allow time for the study guide that is included.

Rating: G
Language: Clean
Recommend: Yes

[La'Kita Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical.

[christianchicklit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Study For Newer Christians

This is a really nice study for those that are newer to Bible Studies or the Bible. It covers a lot of the basics of our faith – the importance of spending time with God, coming back to God and God’s desire for all that He has to be ours (prodigal son),being free from fear, releasing our burdens to God, justification, sanctification, etc. Joanna Weaver says at the beginning of the DVD that her goal for the study is to foster a deeper relationship with God and with each other in the study. She also states that although sometimes nurturing our spiritual life seems to be one more thing to add to your list of things to do…our relationship is not found in what we do, but in better understanding what Jesus did for us. In order to do that, it is important that we make time to sit at Jesus’ feet (like Mary) instead of filling our day only with all the other responsibilities that are on our To Do List (like Martha).

For me personally, I prefer a study with stronger teaching (such as those written by Beth Moore or Priscilla Shirer), but this has some very good aspects for new Christians. I especially liked her tips for helping women memorize scripture and her suggestions for different types of Bible Studies you might be interested in doing (topical, book of Bible, characters of the Bible, etc. ) If you have been studying the Bible for many years, then you probably already know a lot of this information and this isn’t the study for you..although you would be certain to find other gems along the way. The other aspect that I liked was the ending section “Make A Plan” to each week’s lesson where Weaver challenges the reader to develop some of their own thoughts as to how to implement the lesson into their life during the next week….which will certainly make one more committed to carrying out the changes.

Although it is not clear from the description of the items, the optimal way to do this study is to have Weaver’s book Having A Mary Heart In A Martha World, the Study Guide and the DVD. Each week’s lesson in the Study Guide provides instructions for which chapters to read in her book (usually 1 – 2 chapters each week) that correspond to each lesson. There are plans for this to be an 11 or 12 week study depending on how you organize it. Each lesson corresponds to a 20 – 22 minute video session. Though it is nice to see the author and hear the video wrap for each lesson, there seems to be more depth in the book and the reflective questions in the Study Guide.

I received a complimentary copy of this Study Guide and DVD from the Blogging For Books program from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

[Alexis]

As a newer christian this book really helped me look at my roles as a women of God. Really enjoyed this read, great personality and scripture base. Loved all of the references and tables throughout the book.

[Rachel Sinclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would not word everything in the way the author did, however I found this exceptionally helpful book! I have recommended it to others.

[Miriam Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

All who love Jesus long to experience intimacy with and service for Him. Like Mary, we yearn to sit at the Lord’s feet. Like the two sisters of Bethany, Jesus tenderly invites us to choose “the better part” – a joyful life of intimacy with the Lover of our souls. that presses us into service for Him. Joanna Weaver shows us how to draw closer to our Lord, in ever-deepening devotion, strengthening our service with even greater joy. In music to our souls, with a heart that sings and a voice that rings out loud and clear, Joanna invites us to daily communion with Christ. With candor, humor, and passion, Joanna Weaver invites us to cultivate a ‘Mary heart’ that delights in top-priority time with God. The real-life story of the two sisters of Bethany is the story of our lives too. When Jesus and his disciples visited Bethany, Martha opened her home to him. Mary sat at the Lord’s feet, listening intently to Him, with eyes for Him alone. It is intriguing to have a Mary Heart in a Martha World. Welling up in our hearts is a passionate hunger, an unquenchable thirst, a fervent calling to love God the Father, to know Jesus Christ His Son, and the sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit, in a deep heart-to-heart intimacy.

Martha was distracted by all the preparations. She asked Jesus, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” - (Luke 10:38–42). Martha is the Queen of the Kitchen, preparing a banquet fit for the Messiah. She is a party planner extraordinaire, a paragon of efficiency, “Where’s Mary? Has anyone seen Mary? Angry and frustrated, Martha finally found Mary, sitting at the Master’s feet. She had eyes only for Jesus. Martha interrupts Jesus, confident that He will take her side. Mary should help her to prepare the meal. Jesus gently rebukes her, telling her Mary has chosen “the better part,” which will not be taken away from her.

Mary and Martha are mentioned only three times in the Bible: Luke 10:38–42, John 11:1–44, and John 12:1–11. Mary took time to taste the love of Jesus. Faced with the same choice to work or worship, Mary chose "the better part," available to both Mary and Martha, and to us too, regardless of our gifts, talents and personalities. It’s a free, voluntary choice. We can either take it or leave it. The choice is exclusively ours. Mary sees the joy and winsomeness in Jesus and is instantly drawn to Him. Jesus, the Son of God, drew Mary out into his circle of friends. He speaks with a voice like the sound of many waters. His magnetic words contain new life. Mary creeps closer, listening intently to Jesus, unable to move – except closer to Jesus. His words draw her into His heart. She kneels at his feet. His teaching reveals truth to her hungry heart. Mary allows Martha to serve while she listens to Jesus. She presses closer and closer to Jesus. Martha’s call is drowned by the call of her Master, the call to come, to listen and to be blessed.

Let us follow Mary to the feet of Jesus. He bids us to come. He can give us a Mary heart in a Martha world. Faith and trust comes only at Jesus’ feet. undergo a transformation right before our eyes: a holy makeover. The two sisters of Bethany are transformed. Martha becomes meek and Mary becomes courageous. God calls us to intimacy through Jesus Christ. At first, Martha opened her home but not her heart. She almost missed getting to know Jesus. Mary went all out for Jesus. God's kingdom is a paradox. He desires companionship. “Be still and know that I am God.” He looks for people to pour his life into. We must draw closer to the Father's heart. As we spend time with God, He gives us grace to lift the heaviest burdens. The “only one thing needed - the better part” is found at his feet. The gift of availability is what God cherishes most. Mary's gift was availability. She sat at His feet. She was available for Him. A deeper friendship only requires a heart open and ready to receive. We must be lavish in our love, to be filled with His love, that flows out into service. Love starts at His feet.

[Debra Southern · Rating 5 out of 5]

All through this book, Michelle DeRusha describes us a mental picture into the lives of both Kartharina and Martin before and after marriage. We see through historical facts and human knowledge the development in their marital relationship, and how it grows and reflects upon the bond in marriage between a husband and wife still carried on today. We see the hardships Kartharina as a women deals with during a time where women were totally dependent on men and the whims of societal law, and how Luther's belief about women in general (I couldn't help but chuckle, when I read some of these beliefs about women.) differs in regards to his own marriage. I enjoyed reading this book from one page to another.

[Bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was written to know again that quiet time and bible reading is essential in a woman's life. It teaches Martha ladies to stay quiet in the living room to meet Jesus. The book also serves for Mary Women to be in a busy world. BALANCE , TEACHEABLE HEART, PERSEVERANCE to be a christian woman in today's world is the emphasis.
The book contains poems and activities for the readers to engage and grasp realization to be applied in real life. Overall this book is a must read for christian women of today

[Karen Cockerill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a powerful book with such delightful stories and examples. What a privilege to meet the author, now as I read the remainder of the book I can see or picture Joanna telling the story and it just adds to my delight. So authentically told.
Take away image is the hula hoop story.
A must read for anyone that thrives on busyness and service. Some wonderful insights on how to gain the much desired Mary heart . Thank you Joanna

[Sarah Dressler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-done workbook! There is space to write after each of the thoughtful questions that correspond to the week’s readings. I can tell Weaver spent a lot of time expanding these initial questions into the workbook’s full span.

Definitely worth having this to go along with the text as part of a collaborative read.

I bought it on my own and did NOT have access to the group videos, just the short clips on her website.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first read by this author, Joanna Weaver. She is so authentic, that I could relate to her own depictions of working toward having a Mary heart in a Martha world. She guides the reader how to deepen our devotion to draw closer to our LORD God and be able to serve Jesus with His strength.

[Erica Schrader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is hard to rate. There were some nuggets that were absolutely brilliant and wonderful wisdom and other parts that had really poor biblical application and interpretation, which was so disappointing.

[Sharon Banitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting study of the contrast between Mary and Martha -- Mary sits at Jesus' feet while Martha works. I've always considered myself a Martha and this study puts a new look at both perspectives.

[Janzen Zarzoso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that there are many insights from the author and how she put it nicely in beautiful sentences. Some thoughts were repeated though and kind of feel a bit of a drag. Nonetheless, it's a great book to help you find the balance of intimacy with God and service.

[Karmyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had very good advice life lessons. I liked how she gave her advice with a lot of story’s and she was very relatable. It felt like a conversation. My attention did get lost a little here and there, also a little wordy. Overall a great read and would recommend.

[Sydney Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

REALLY helpful applications and beautiful relatability - I would definitely do a study group with this book and seek to apply the transformative way we can seek to worship like Mary and serve like Martha.

[Janet Fryman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Are you a Mary or a Martha? Can you be both? How do you sit at the feet of the Lord and serve others? "Christianity is a process and not an event."

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was great. I have shared it with the ladies from church. So much to think about and fun to read.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the videos and book was great for discission

[Bonnie Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of it was repetitive, but this would make a good Christian book study-I liked the questions at the end. I enjoyed most of it and liked the stories.

[Arialle-lily Crick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have read all three of her books! Beautiful and inspiring! Changed my life!

[Jessica B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that I need to come back to again and again.

[Mary Aiaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is still my favorite Bible study of all time and I have done several :-) this is the one that spoke to my heart the most and I go back to it every year!

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. She gives personal anecdotes that I could relate to. So much to reflect on to challenge your spiritual growth.

[Gabriela Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

A profound read with a lot of wonderful quotes throughout.

[Elsie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is directed towards mothers of young children- not all women. I think the author offers quality advice, but the root of it all can probably be summed up in a few paragraphs.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing book. Thank you for your insight Joanna Weaver.

[Karlie Majure · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so great. I took some time with it to take notes and fully digest everything. It has truly left me working on myself and trying to live like Mary.

[Cathy]

I read this with a small group of ladies...we had meaningful and great discussions!