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I'LL PRAY ABOUT IT - Forgiveness


Icebreaker:
What is your favorite perfume or cologne scent?
How are you using essential oil scents?

Prayer:
During this series on prayer, determine to spend more time in personal prayer each day. As a group, pray before your discussion. Start a prayer log to record requests and answers. Check the church’s weekly email blast for needs to add to your log.

Overview:
In this week’s lesson, the sinful woman anoints Jesus’s feet with a fragrant ointment. Scents were often used by cultures where personal hygiene was not as convenient as it is today. These days not everyone responds favorably to fragrances. I recently attended a multi-day convention where all attendees were asked to refrain from using fragrances to accommodate other attendees with allergies to fragrances. I must admit I felt a little uncomfortable without my signature fragrance each day. Jesus enjoyed the luxury of the sweet, fragrant anointing. He knew it was an expression of her appreciative heart that was overflowing with love for Him and the forgiveness He gave her.  

Discussion:
Review theme scripture from Matthew 6:5-15.
Read Luke 7:36-50.
If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. -- Matthew 6:14 NLT
What illustration did Jesus use to explain the woman’s actions?
How was she expressing her need for forgiveness?
How did Simon express his need of Jesus?
How are you expressing your appreciation for your forgiveness?
Which person are you? Simon, the Pharisee, or the forgiven woman?
By what authority does Jesus forgive sin?
Why is forgiveness of others required of us?

Activity:
Consider the sinful world around you and their need of forgiveness. Some may be aware of their need (like the sinful woman) while others are totally oblivious to their sinful situation (like Simon). Do small acts of kindness this week that shares the love of Jesus with them this week. Pray that Jesus will reveal His path of forgiveness to them and they will be open to it.

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