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These posts grow out of sermons I’ve written for my local church community. You’re welcome to use them—for teaching, small groups, preaching, or personal reflection. If you share them elsewhere, please include a simple attribution. If you’d ever like to share how they’re being used, you’re welcome to reach out through the Contact button. Leader’s Guides for Discussion Questions are available upon request.
Due to some unexpected building issues, we weren’t able to gather for one week of this series, and the following week we welcomed a guest preacher. Even so, the theme of Radical Grace is too important to set aside. I’m sharing the “Going Deeper” questions and accompanying images here in case they’re helpful for personal reflection or small group use. You’re welcome to use or adapt them in your own setting. And although we weren’t able to fully explore The Table of Service together in this series, I’m including the images here as well. They may serve as a visual companion for reflection, teaching, or worship.
Week 6 — The Table of Radical Grace Text: Luke 7:36–50 (Anointing at the home of Simon)
Theme: The woman’s tears, Simon’s coldness, Jesus’ surprising reversal.
Big Idea: God’s love interrupts the Room
The Table of Radical Grace—Week 6
Small Group Questions
Icebreaker
- What kinds of interruptions tend to frustrate you the most in everyday life?
- Can you think of a moment when an interruption led to an important conversation or meaningful moment?
Read Luke 7:36–39 NIV (The interruption at the table)
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.”
- Why do you think Simon invited Jesus to dinner in the first place? What might Simon have expected from Jesus?
- The woman is described only as “a sinful woman.” What might that label have meant in that culture?
- Why do you think the woman is willing to enter a space where she likely knows she will be judged?
- The woman expresses her devotion to Jesus very openly and emotionally. What stands out to you about the way she approaches him?
- Why do you think open expressions of love for God sometimes make people uncomfortable?
- How might the people in the room have reacted as this scene unfolded?
Read Luke 7:40-47 (Jesus tells a story)
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.”
- Jesus responds to Simon by telling a short parable about two people who owe money. Why do you think Jesus uses a story rather than confronting Simon directly? What is the point of the story?
- Jesus literally reorients his body toward the woman, yet continues speaking to Simon. It’s a powerful picture of dignity and confrontation happening at the same time. In what ways can people be physically present but socially invisible? Looked at but not truly seen?
- Why do you think Simon notices the woman’s sin, but seems unaware of his own need for grace?
- In that culture, offering water for feet, a greeting kiss, and oil were normal acts of hospitality. What might Simon’s lack of these gestures communicate? What might this reveal about the difference between simply inviting Jesus into our lives and actually welcoming him?
- Simon hosted the dinner, but the woman became the true host. She provided the real hospitality. The woman never says a word in the story. Her entire response to Jesus is action: tears, wiping, kissing, pouring perfume. Jesus interprets her actions as love and faith. Sometimes the clearest expression of faith isn’t words — it’s love. How does experiencing forgiveness change the way a person loves?
Read Luke 7:48-50 NIV (Grace spoken aloud)
48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
- What words does Jesus speak directly to the woman?
- Who in this story do you think Jesus is challenging the most — the woman, Simon, or the silent observers at the table?
- Imagine the scene from three different perspectives:
-The woman
-Simon the Pharisee
-Jesus
What might each of them be thinking or feeling in that moment?
- The others begin questioning, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Why do you think the focus of the room suddenly shifts from the woman’s behavior to Jesus’ authority?
- Jesus tells the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” What do you think that peace might look like for her going forward?
- Everyone in the room knew the woman’s reputation. After Jesus’ words, whose definition of her identity mattered most?
- What might it look like for this woman to walk out of that house different than when she walked in?
- When the dinner ends, who do you think leaves the room more changed — the woman or Simon? Why?
God’s love interrupts the room
Application
- Where do we still see “Simon-like” attitudes today—places where people are quietly judged or excluded?
- Have you ever had a moment when you realized you had judged someone too quickly?What helped you see them differently?
- Jesus sees the woman very differently than everyone else in the room.
What might it look like for us to begin seeing people the way Jesus does?
- The woman literally interrupts the room, and Jesus interrupts the judgment. What might it look like for God’s love to “interrupt the room” in our own lives or communities this week?
Personal Reflection
- Which character do you find yourself relating to most in this story right now — the woman, Simon, or the others at the table? Why?
- If Jesus looked at you the way he looked at the woman in this story, what do you think he would want you to know about his grace?
- Where might you be tempted to fall into Simon’s way of thinking—quietly judging or measuring others?
- How will you be intentional in seeing interruptions through the lens of the story this week?
Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, you see us completely and still welcome us to your table. Jesus, thank you for your grace that meets us where we are and restores our dignity. Teach us to receive your forgiveness deeply, and to extend that same grace to others. Holy Spirit, let our love reflect your love in the places we live, work, and gather. Amen.
Week 7 — The Table of Service Text: John 13:1–17 (Upper Room—foot washing)
Theme: Jesus takes the servant’s towel; the King kneels.
Preach it Sista 