Joanna Weaver - Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World Study Guide: Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life

H AVING A M ARY H EART IN A M ARTHA W ORLD S TUDY G UIDE
P UBLISHED BY W ATER B ROOK P RESS
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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica Inc.TM Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. Scripture quotations marked ( KJV ) are taken from the King James Version. Scripture quotations marked ( NKJV ) are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked ( NLT ) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Trade Paperback ISBN9780307731609
Ebook ISBN9780307731654

Copyright 2013 by Joanna Weaver

Cover design by Mark D. Ford

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Published in the United States by WaterBrook Multnomah, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.

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When you see the pencil icon above, you may want to fill out your answers on a separate piece of paper or use the Notes functionality on your eReader.

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ith so many wonderful Bible studies available, Im honored that you have chosen my book Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life.

When my publisher suggested I expand the original Bible study and add video sessions, I was excited! After spending so long thinking about and studying the lives of Mary and Martha, two sisters Jesus considered dear friends, Im delighted to share with you what Ive learned. From their encounter with the Savior, I believe we can discover rich insights and deep truths that have the power to change our lives.

For God longs for relationship with you, my friend. It is the purpose for which you and I were made. And it is the purpose for which Jesus came to earthso that, through His death and resurrection, we might be reconciled to a Father who loves us more than we could ever imagine. A Father who has provided everything necessary so that you and I could daily experience His presence. Right here and right now. Smack dab in the busyness of life.

Im excited to take this journey with you. Something beautiful happens when we take time to sit at Jesus feet, individually and corporately. As we make ourselves available, He makes Himself known to us. As we pour out our hearts in sweet communion, Jesus pours His life into us.

So take off your apron and lay aside your duties for a while. Come enjoy the incredible invitation of friendship Jesus extended to Mary and Marthaand to you and me as well.

Come discover the secret to having a Mary heart in a Martha world.

Becoming His,

I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the L ORD . They will be my people, and I will be their God.

J EREMIAH 24:7

While youll learn a great deal from watching the video sessions and completing the study guide homework, please be sure to read your assigned chapters in Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World prior to each weeks discussion. The book provides the framework of this study and is necessary to your getting the most out of our time together.

As early in the study week as possible, youll want to complete your assigned reading with a pen or highlighter in hand. I encourage you to mark or underline things that really speak to youverses, quotes, stories, or analogies. Make notes in the book margins of any thoughts, questions, or revelations youd like to discuss or share in class.

After youve read the assigned portion in the book, begin to work through the questions and exercises in this guide. They are designed to help you reflect on Gods Word and apply it. (Please note that I quote primarily from the 1984 edition of the New International Version, and most questions are shaped around that translation.)

Each weeks lesson also includes:

a Word Time sidebar. These are designed to give you tools to go deeper in your Bible study. Corresponding videos will be shown in class if there is time. (Videos can also be accessed at www.havingamaryheart.com.)

a Make a Plan assignment. Each week, youll be encouraged to come up with action steps to apply the truths youve learned as you follow through on that plan during the upcoming week.

a memory verse. Over the course of the study, youll be asked to memorize nine verses. If that seems too overwhelming, choose two or three verses to focus on. Dont worry; Ill share some memorizing techniques that have helped me!

a video guide. With fill-in-the-blank prompts, these pages help capture key points from the video session so that you can refer to them later.

a Closing Time reflection.