Visualize, if you can, the disdain of the outwardly “righteous” Pharisee, Simon, when a sinful woman enters his home uninvited and seeks the company of Jesus. Consider his contempt as Christ allows this woman to wash His feet with her stream of tears and wipe them with the hairs of her head. But Jesus knew why she came and she received forgiveness for her sins. Jesus said to her, “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”
QUESTIONS
- To seek for forgiveness and to forgive others are necessities in one’s life in order to find favor with God (Matthew 6:14-15). Write your own definition of what it means to forgive.
- Sin could possibly be divided into three categories: sins of commission, sins of the heart, and sins of omission. Give examples of each.
- Jesus’ forgiveness is offered to all, but that forgiveness must be sought. Contrast the attitudes of the woman and Simon the Pharisee.
- What do you think is meant by the following words?
Repentance
Contrition
Humility
Godly Sorrow - In reference to question four, how do these words relate to our finding God’s forgiveness?
- What were the actions of the woman in our text that showed she was seeking forgiveness?
- Give in your own words the meaning of Jesus’ saying: “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.”
- That the sinful woman loved Jesus much was obvious by her actions. How can we show our love to Christ as well as saying we love Him?
THEME THOUGHTS