Jesus’ Grace Produces Love

Luke 7:36-50

Key Verse: 7:47

“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

1.      Read verse 36. Who invited Jesus to dinner? Why might he have done so? What does Jesus’ response show about him?

2.      Read verse 37. How is the woman who burst on this scene described? What can we surmise about her past and present? What does her bold entrance into a Pharisee’s house tell us about her character? Why do people become entrapped in sinful lifestyles? What compelled her to come to Jesus?

3.      Read verses 37b-38. What did the woman bring with her? What did she do? Why did she do this? How might her actions have embarrassed Jesus? How did Jesus receive this woman and her extravagant actions? What does this show about Jesus?

4.      Read verses 39-42. What did the Pharisee think about Jesus’ attitude toward this woman? How did he misunderstand Jesus? What story did Jesus tell Simon the Pharisee? How were the two men in the story different? How were they alike? How did the money lender show grace?

5.      Read verse 43. What did Jesus ask Simon? What does this tell about the woman’s motive? What is the relationship between grace and love? (Eph 2:8-9; Ro 6:23b)

6.      Read verses 44-47. How did Simon answer Jesus’ question? How did Jesus compare and contrast the woman and Simon? Why did Jesus rebuke Simon? What didn’t Simon know about himself? About God? About God’s grace? (1Cor 15:10) What did the woman know?

7.      Read verses 48-50. What did Jesus say to the woman? Why? How could Jesus say this? (Jn 3:17) How did Jesus further bless her? How can we learn to love God and others? How can we receive the grace of forgiveness? (50) What is the fruit of grace and forgiveness?