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 the hair of her head. 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.’”
[19:41] [19:43] [19:52] [19:56] [20:34] [20:49] [21:45]Luke 4:18-19 “‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.’”
[22:25] [22:26] [22:29] [22:36] [22:38] [22:43]Luke 6:27-36 “‘But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.’”
[23:03] [23:04] [23:10] [23:14] [23:19] [23:24] [23:28] [23:32] [23:37] [23:40] [23:41] [23:45]Genesis 2:18 “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’”
[47:56] [57:46]Observation questions- In Luke 7, what are the specific things the woman does at Jesus’ feet, and what are the specific things Simon failed to do as host? [36:58]
- What labels are present in the story for the different people in the room, and what changes when Jesus calls Simon by name? [33:41]
- According to Luke 4 and Luke 6, what kind of people does Jesus especially come for, and what kind of mercy does he call his followers to show? [22:49]
- What pictures are used to describe two different ways of thinking about identity and community: marbles and grapes? [45:24]
Interpretation questions- Jesus asks Simon, “Do you see this woman?” If Simon had clearly seen her already, what kind of seeing was Jesus calling him into? [36:36]
- The woman’s love is described as the overflow of forgiven debt. How does that help explain why her actions look so extravagant instead of merely emotional or impulsive? [30:55]
- The woman’s worship is presented as making up for Simon’s lack of hospitality. What does that suggest about how mercy can work between people in a community? [38:41]
- “Go in peace” points toward wholeness, not just a private spiritual moment. How does that shape the way this story speaks about restoration and belonging? [48:21]
Application questions- It is easy to reduce people to labels such as “difficult,” “immature,” “respectable,” or “a mess.” Who in this season might be getting reduced to a label in the heart, and what would it look like to really see that person? [34:20]
- Forgiven love becomes extravagant love. Where has the grace of Jesus become familiar or small, and where might there be a need to ask again for a fresh sense of mercy that leads to love? [40:50]
- Simon had a real lack in his hospitality. What kind of “lack” tends to show up in relationships—avoidance, distance, indifference, harsh judgment, failure to welcome—and which one feels most familiar right now? [38:13]
- Mercy can absorb a debt it did not create. Has there ever been a moment when someone’s kindness, apology, patience, or presence helped heal a wound they did not cause? How might that shape the way burdens are carried for others now? [53:41]
- If identity is received in communion with God rather than invented alone, what habits most often pull life inward and away from belonging? What practices help remember, “To whom do I belong?” [45:01]
- Community is not just an audience; it is a place where people are seen, challenged, and loved. Where is there a need right now to let others speak more honestly into life rather than staying sealed off? [50:33]
- Community often disappoints, yet it is still not good for people to be alone. When disappointment with people makes withdrawal feel safer, what might “showing up” look like in one small, faithful way this week? [57:26]
