We throw the term “grace” around quite a bit.. But what does it really mean to be a person of grace?
Life group Discussion Questions are next up!
If you are the group leader, have everyone open to this page on their mobile device. Take turns reading questions and having dialogue.
“The evidence of extravagant grace is a changed life.”
Do you agree with that statement?
Why is it important?
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.
-Luke 7:36-39
In Sunday’s passage, Jesus contrasts the life of a particular Pharisee with that of the woman at Jesus’ feet. Why were the two people in such different positions?
“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.”
Luke 7:44-47
So, is it fair to say that our response to Jesus is at least somewhat proportional to how much grace we have received from him?
So, how do you know which of the two (Pharisee, or woman) you are?
How do you know if you are at Jesus’ feet?
How do you know if you are a Pharisee?
What would help us to remain at his feet, rather than questioning him and his motives?
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:8-9
How can we maintain a responsive heart the way David did in Psalm 32?
For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.
You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.
Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Psalm 32:3-11