Jesus forgives us when we humbly come to Him in faith.

SCRIPTURE | Luke 7:36-50

CENTRAL TRUTH

Jesus isn’t like anyone else; He sees our hearts clearly. He knows when our love and repentance are real, and to offer Him anything else is empty worship.

KEY QUESTION

Why do the thoughts and motives behind our actions matter? Can we trust Jesus to really see us? Explain. 

KEEP IN MIND

Some of your students may share a similar reputation to the woman in this week’s passage—a sinner, shamed by the religious leaders. These students may feel the weight of shame every time they come into the church. As leaders, we must remain sensitive to this, while also sharing the hope of the gospel and the call to repentance. We must root our teaching in truth first, but we must also present the hope Jesus offers even to the worst sinners. Many students desire to be made new; they simply don’t realize or believe it’s possible. In your group, celebrate the reality that the gospel transforms us, frees us from sin and shame, and secures our place in God’s family—forever.

APPLICATION

Why do we need to understand the depth of our sin and how it hurts our relationship with God? How does this understanding make Jesus even better?

THE WIN

FOR THE STUDENT: The more clearly our students see their sin, the more they realize their need for a Savior. The more they see that they’re powerless to save themselves, the more they lean into Jesus and see that He is better than anyone or anything else they might trust to save them.

FOR THE LEADER: Consider when you’ve been like the woman, spilling out your sin and receiving forgiveness; consider when you’ve been the Pharisee, comparing your sin to someone else’s. Let both of these situations remind you of God’s kindness to redeem you and make you new, and let your heart overflow with worship.