Life Group Study - Mar. 9, 2025

To Know and Share 

This passage contrasts Simon the Pharisee's self-righteousness with a sinful woman's extravagant worship. Simon's lack of hospitality reveals his spiritual blindness, while the woman's actions show her deep awareness of Christ's mercy. Jesus' parable illustrates that those who recognize their sin experience profound forgiveness, resulting in transformative love for God. 

Read: Luke 7:36-38 Say: Simon, a Pharisee, invited Jesus into his home, but a woman—publicly known as a sinner— interrupts the dinner to anoint Jesus' feet with her tears and perfume. Ask: Why do you think Paul emphasizes the importance of finding "faithful" people? How can we identify and invest in faithful individuals in our church community?

Read: Luke 7:39-43 
Brief Context: Simon questions Jesus’ prophetic ability, assuming He should reject the woman. Jesus responds with a parable about two forgiven debtors—one owing much and the other little.
Say: Simon doubts Jesus' identity, assuming He would reject the woman if He truly knew her. Jesus tells a parable about two debtors, one owing much and the other little, both forgiven.
Ask: Why do you think Jesus connected forgiveness with love? How does this apply to our lives today? 

Read: Luke 7:44-50
Brief Context: Jesus rebukes Simon’s lack of hospitality and honors the woman’s love and faith, declaring her forgiven.
Say: Jesus turns to the woman and acknowledges her love and devotion, declaring that her sins are forgiven.
Ask: What does this moment teach us about how Jesus sees people versus how society does? How can we reflect Jesus’ heart in our daily lives? 

Application 

Brief Context: Jesus highlights that gratitude for forgiveness is expressed in love, while selfrighteousness blinds us to our own need for grace.
Say: The woman’s response to Jesus’ forgiveness was love, humility, and gratitude. Simon’s response was pride and judgment.
Ask: How can we cultivate a heart more like the woman’s and less like Simon’s? What practical steps can we take this week to extend forgiveness and love to others? 

Close in Prayer: Father, thank You for the radical forgiveness You offer through Jesus. Help us to recognize our need for You, to respond in love, and to extend that same grace to others. May our lives reflect the fruit of Your forgiveness. Amen.

Reflective Passages:  Luke 8:1-3, Psalm 103:10-12, Micah 7:18-19, Isaiah 1:18, Colossians 2:13-14