Words & Actions, Week 5 - Study Guide
This week (July 10 - 16), we will look at Luke 7:36-47. The text below is the NIV translation. Feel free to read this same passage in various translations to provide additional context.
36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
Study Questions
Below is a list of questions designed to help you unpack, process, and apply the text at hand at a personal, community group, and broader Church level. These questions remain consistent every week. You are welcome to answer one, answer all, and/or supplement your own questions. This is a journey.
- What is happening in this text?
- What themes stand out to you in this text? Why?
- How does this text point to living out the gospel?
- Where do you see (or not see) this text being lived out in today's society? What stands out to you?
- Compare and contrast this text to the life of the Church today.
- Where in this passage is Jesus speaking directly to you? Explain.
- Using His words and actions as your guide, where and how can you take action to move closer to Him this week?
What's next?
As you continue your week, we encourage you to explore our daily devotional guide, which offers more in-depth thoughts into the words and actions of Jesus.