Bible ReadingLuke 7:36-50 “One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, 'If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.' And Jesus answering said to him, 'Simon, I have something to say to you.' And he answered, 'Say it, Teacher.' 'A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?' Simon answered, 'The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.' And he said to him, 'You have judged rightly.' Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, 'Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.' And he said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.' Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, 'Who is this, who even forgives sins?' And he said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace.'”
[34:28]Colossians 3:16-17 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
[01:04:36]Romans 12:1 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
[31:29]Colossians 2:13-14 “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.”
[51:14]Observation questions- In Luke 7, what specific things did the woman do at Jesus’ feet, and what specific things did Simon fail to do for Jesus as a host? [53:01]
- What details in the passage show the contrast between the woman’s heart and Simon’s heart when each of them was in the presence of Jesus? [43:31]
- In Jesus’ parable of the two debtors, what problem did both debtors share, even though the amounts were different?
- According to Colossians 3:16-17, what practices are named as part of a life filled with the word of Christ, and how wide is the phrase “whatever you do” meant to be? [01:04:36]
Interpretation questions- The woman came because she understood who was at the table. What does this suggest about the connection between truly knowing Jesus and truly worshiping Jesus? [41:48]
- Jesus answered Simon’s unspoken criticism. What does that reveal about how Jesus looks at worship, prayer, singing, and listening to God’s word? [47:53]
- Jesus’ parable says both debtors could not pay. How does that keep people from comparing themselves with others, and how does it push the group back toward the gospel itself? [50:41]
- Jesus says the woman’s love was tied to forgiveness. Why is it important to understand that her love was the fruit of forgiveness, not the payment for it? [56:45]
Application questions- Worship is a response to who God is and what he has done. When gathered with the church or living through an ordinary week, where does worship most easily become routine or empty for the group? What helps bring back the “why”? [32:27]
- The woman was not stopped by shame, people, culture, or cost. What tends to hold people back now from open devotion to Christ—fear of others, busyness, embarrassment, comfort, something else? Which of those pressures feels strongest personally? [42:04]
- Forgiven people should never stop being amazed that their debt was canceled. Has amazement at the gospel grown dull in any area of life lately? What usually helps make Christ’s forgiveness feel fresh again? [52:14]
- Simon gave Jesus not even the ordinary welcome, while the woman gave her best. In personal worship, prayer, giving, serving, or attention to God’s word, where is there a temptation to offer the bare minimum? [55:10]
- Jesus said, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” How should peace with God shape the way a believer leaves the room, goes to work, speaks at home, and treats others during the week? [01:03:36]
- Colossians 3 says the word of Christ must dwell richly, and that whatever is done in word or deed should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus. What would it look like in a very practical way for everyday speech and habits to become worship this week? [01:05:55]
- The woman’s worship was costly, personal, and wholehearted. What would giving Christ “the best” look like right now—not in theory, but in one clear step of obedience, surrender, or gratitude? [56:29]
