Study Guide - Changing the World God's Way - Week 5
Introduction
Forgiveness is the biggest need that everyone has. Each of us will stand before a Holy God and give an account for our lives. Have we managed well what God has given us in our lives? Have we been faithful to use the gifts we have, the resources we have been given, and the opportunities we have had to build God's kingdom? How have we treated people in our lives - have we built them up and not put them down? What have we done with our lives and the time we have been given? Has our life made a difference? What is our character like? What attitudes do we have? Are we truly Christ-like in every area? Do we seek to reach out to those who do not know Jesus?
Everyone falls short of God's good intention for their lives (Romans 3:23). Because of that everyone needs forgiveness. Jesus offers forgiveness to everyone who will ask for it and believe that Jesus died on the cross for their sins. The incident that Luke records in these verses has been called, "Two sinners meet the Savior". Luke contrasts the reaction and response of the Pharisee Simon and the woman who is labeled a sinner. See if you can find yourself in this story.
As you go through these verses try to imagine the scene in your mind. Try to imagine how the woman felt and what she thought. Do the same for Simon the Pharisee.
Background Information
It is critical in understanding these verses to understand the cultural practice at that time of welcoming people into one's home. Hospitality to others was an important social value in Jewish culture at the time of Jesus. When someone came into a home the owner of the home would welcome them with a kiss on both checks (Romans 16:16). Then the guest's feet would be washed with water, usually by a servant. (People wore sandals and walking on the road made their feet dry and dusty). Some examples of this practice are found in Genesis 18:4; 1 Samuel 25:41; John 13:5 and 1 Timothy 5:10. Finally olive oil, which was abundant and inexpensive would be given to the guest to rub in their hair and beard as a refreshment.
The people at that time did not sit on chairs around a table for dinner but rather reclined (lay down propped up on an arm) around a low table. The guests would have nothing on their feet and their feet would be extending away from the table. Servants would bring in the food and serve the guests. Other people could enter the home and sit along the walls while the guest were eating and join in conversation with those eating. Jesus was invited to the homes of Pharisees from time to time and would accept those invitations (Luke 11;32, Luke 14;1). Pharisee were a strict Jewish religious group that sought to follow all the laws in the Jewish Bible (Torah). There is another incident similar to this incident in the Bible but different in time and place and some details (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8). Most scholars believe that the woman who was called a sinner would have been an immoral person, most likely a prostitute. Jesus' disciples do not seem to have been invited to the dinner since Luke makes no mention of them as he usually does even when they are silent (Luke 7:11).
The main themes of this incident are Biblical Hospitality and Forgiveness.
Key Points
Biblical Hospitality is
the intentional act of
inviting someone into your family's life for the
purpose of developing a relationship so that they
see the hospitality of God in you and you
have the opportunity to tell them about salvation
Digging Deeper Questions
1. Have several people tell the story in their own words. Be sure the group has all the details correct.
2. Put yourself in the shoes of the Pharisee - how did he feel and think before his encounter with Jesus, during the encounter and after?
3. Are there people like the Pharisee today? How can you recognize them?
4. Put yourself in the shoes of the woman: how did she feel and think before her encounter with Jesus, during the encounter, and after? Are there people like her today?
5. Who do you identify with the most in the story? Why?
6. What lessons was Jesus teaching in this encounter? Break the story down step by step and discuss all the lessons you see.
7. How does this incident affect you? What will you apply?
This Week’s Challenge
Show God's hospitality to someone this week.
Resource
“The Simplest Way to Change the World: Biblical Hospitality as a Way of Life” by Dustin Willis and Brandon Clements
This short book will help you develop a lifestyle of hospitality.