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SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
“Who am I?” This is one of the great questions that we are confronted with in life. In this week’s passage in Galatians, Paul says that the answer to “Who am I?” is only found by discovering, “Whose am I?” Our true identity is found as we are “crucified with Christ,” so that we can fully experience what it means to be justified, made new, and loved by God.
GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.
1. When you meet someone new, what are the top 2-3 things you would want to know about that person? Why are those things so important to you?
2. When you meet someone new, what are the top 2-3 things you would want them to know about you? Why are those things so important to you?
INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.
2. Read Luke 7:36-50:
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.” 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.” 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.”
• Briefly explain the setting of this story.
• Why do you think the Pharisees had invited Jesus to have dinner with them? (v. 36) Why do you think Jesus accepted their invitation?
• What are we told about the woman in this story? What may we infer about her life? What do you think brought her to Jesus?
• What does she bring with her to see Jesus? (v. 37) Why did she bring it? (v. 38) What do you think was her motivation to do this?
• How do the Pharisees respond to this? (v. 39) Why do you think they responded in this manner? What was their motivation?
• Have you ever responded like the Pharisees did in this story? What happened? What was your motivation? Briefly explain.
• In response to the Pharisees’ attitude, Jesus shares a parable. (vv. 40-42). Briefly explain the parable. Who are the characters in the parable? What was the point of the parable?
• What is the question that Jesus raises in the parable? (v. 42)
• Briefly review the contrasting points between Simon and this sinful woman. (vv. 44-47)
• What does Jesus say to the sinful woman in verses 48 and 50? How do you think the woman responded to these words?
• According to this passage, what is true faith in Jesus?
• As you examine your life, is your love for Jesus more like the Pharisees or the sinful woman? Have you ever loved Jesus in the manner in which the sinful woman expressed her love for Jesus? Why or why not? Briefly explain.
3. Rich shared in his sermon that most people define their identity through either tradition or self-construction (self-made identities). But Paul says that our true identity (“Who am I?”) is discovered as we enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (“Whose am I?”).
• Today, how would you respond to the question, “Who am I?” Has your answer changed over the years? In what ways? Why might that be?
• Today, how would you respond to the question, “Whose am I?”
• Have you ever made a deep commitment of faith in Jesus?
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