Storytellers: Week 3
Our Storytellers series features several exciting guest teachers focusing on stories, practices, and testimonies of Biblical hospitality. This week we hear Rev. Dr. Alex Kato of Crossroads Bible Church in Bellevue, WA teach about the woman with the alabaster jar in Luke 7:36-50.
1. To begin, read the story of Jesus, the Pharisee Simon, and the unnamed woman with the alabaster jar. Discuss your initial thoughts about this story. If you’re acquainted with this familiar story, what are some new things you noticed this reading?
In his message, Alex said that “the primary barrier between us and biblical hospitality is not a skill that we need to learn but forgiveness that we need to accept.” Refer to this quote as you discuss the next two questions.
2. In what ways have you been like the woman, accepting God’s forgiveness and living in grace? How has this acceptance resulted in biblical hospitality and acceptance of others? Discuss how this has allowed you to live more freely and more joyfully.
3. In what ways have you been more like Simon, the Pharisee host? How does this recognition bring humility? To what extent are you able to accept God’s forgiveness for this less than hospitable side that we all possess?
4. Read verses 43-47, this time in Eugene Peterson’s The Message translation, which employs a modern way of speech.
In verse 44, Jesus invites Simon to truly see this woman as she is—“not an object, not a sinner, but a person, a woman, someone forgiven by God, a human who is weeping with gratitude and relief, a child who is loving as much as she can, a child of God who is saved by her faith and who is free to go in peace” (Renovare Life with God Bible).
Discuss these questions with your group, or prayerfully reflect on them during the week: What does it feel like to be truly seen? Who does God want you to see?
5. Close your time by reflecting on the end of the story, verses 48-50.
How do you feel when you see Jesus ignoring the naysayers as he forgives the woman’s sins? Accept, for yourself, these words: “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
