LET'S FOCUS: Take children outside at the beginning of class and have each child FOCUS in to some small object with a pair of binoculars. Teacher can have several small objects set up around the designated area for children to FOCUS on... such as a small plastic or rubber toy, some M & M's (to go along with the story today), a painted rock, etc. Let children know that our Bible story today will talk about our FOCUS.

M & M's - Give out M & M's for "Mary" and "Martha" and as children can answer questions about today's Bible lesson, they can be given M & M's to remind them of the story!

FOCUS PICTURES: Each child can take a close-up picture on the digital camera, zooming in... and will get that picture back next week after the teacher has it developed.

FOCUS POSTER: Children could draw a very LITTLE picture of themselves at the side of the poster. Then a very LARGE BIBLE could be cut out and glued onto the poster on the other side. Title of the poster could be.... KEEP YOUR FOCUS, or WHAT IS YOUR FOCUS, or MAKE GOD YOUR FOCUS.

M & M SKIT - Have children play act out the Bible story while the teacher or another child reads the story. Mary can be sitting at Jesus's feet while Martha prepares the food (at the table the teacher has available for the skit). Let Martha and Jesus SAY their parts of the story.

FOCUS CHART can be on the focal wall of the classroom. One column can be labeled as IMPORTANT THINGS and the other column can be listed as NOT IMPORTANT. Older children can pick a slip of paper from a bag that the teacher has prepared ahead of time, that has something IMPORTANT or NOT IMPORTANT and then will tape that slip of paper under the correct column. For younger children, the teacher can make up a chart with pictures from a magazine of IMPORTANT or NOT IMPORTANT things for children and discuss if this is important or not, or have children tape the picture under the appropriate column after class discussion.

Song:  "Turn Your Eyes Upon  Jesus" by Helen H. Lemmel

Sheet Music (PDF)

Piano Accompaniment (MP3) Right click and save to your computer.

Song:  "All That Thrills My Soul" by Thoro Harris