A Woman Washes Jesus’ Feet 

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To view the Leader Guide for this week, click here.

To view a .docx version of this guide, click here.

Introduction 

Last week, we discussed the story of Jesus healing a man born blind and the response of both the people and the Pharisees to this miracle. 

During the “Apply” section last week, everyone was encouraged to write down specific action steps they would work on throughout the week. Take some time to discuss how that went with the group. 

This week, we will be discussing the story of a woman washing and anointing Jesus’ feet with oil.  

First, begin your meeting in prayer for God’s blessing over this time with your group. 

Connect  

• What is a time when someone showed you love or kindness in a way you didn’t expect? 
  • Why was it unexpected? How did it make you feel? 
• When has there ever been someone you initially overlooked or judged, but later discovered had a lot to offer or teach you? 

Opening Thought 

Loving others well has a way of standing out. Sometimes it’s met with gratitude, other times with hesitation or even skepticism. But real love—the kind that goes beyond expectations—has the power to change everything. It challenges assumptions, shifts perspectives, and reveals what truly matters. Jesus invites us to not only experience this kind of love, but to show it to others.  

This leads us to our main idea for this week:  

Main idea for the week

We can experience the love of God when we love others. 

Here’s where we are this week

Jesus has been performing miracles regularly throughout the region of Galilee, from walking on water to raising people from the dead to multiplying a few pieces of food in order to feed over 5,000 people. The story at this point is leading to Jesus preparing to go to Jerusalem at this point in his ministry. The story today picks up in the middle of Jesus performing these miracles and is set in the house of a Pharisee named Simon, who has invited Jesus to his house for dinner.  

Unpack 

Read each set of verses out loud as a group, making observations as you go. Afterward discuss each of the connected questions before moving to the next set of verses: 

Read  

Luke 7:36-43 

Luke 7:44-50 

Unpack 

Often, when you read about the life of Jesus, you see that Jesus disagreed with the Pharisees to the point that he would call them out on the way they thought about God and taught others to do the same.  

• If Jesus was consistently at odds with the Pharisees and their beliefs, why do you think Jesus agreed to go to the Pharisee’s house?  
  • How should this inform the way we think about others who disagree with us?  
• What do you think the point of the woman anointing Jesus’ feet was? Why did she come to Jesus even though she knew she was sinful? 
  • Reflect on your life for moment:  
    • How often do you run away from God when you have disobeyed him instead of looking to him for forgiveness, healing, and to express your gratitude for his presence in your life? 
• What does the woman’s anointing of Jesus teach us about the point of worship and devotion? 
  • How does this woman’s worship of Jesus in this moment compare to the way you worship Jesus? 
• How does the Pharisees reaction to the woman reflect the way people treat outcasts in society?  

In Verses 44-46, Jesus describes some traditional ways for their culture to show a guest hospitality that the Pharisee failed at. How does the way the Pharisee treats Jesus and the woman reveal the Pharisee’s character and priorities?  

• How often do you find yourself reacting with contempt, as the Pharisee does, to our culture’s outcasts?  
  • How does Jesus’ reaction to the woman challenge these norms? 
• Why did Jesus show compassion to the woman even though she was a sinner?  
  • If you are comfortable sharing, how have you experienced Jesus’ compassion in your life? 
  • In what ways could you reject our culture’s norms to practically show compassion to the outcasts in your world?  
    • How could this help the outcasts of our society experience the love and compassion of Jesus?  
• What does this story teach that Jesus is looking for when it comes to living a life of faithfulness? 

Apply 

Based on the verses we just read, there are some things that we can do in response. Take a moment to discuss these questions as a group to decide what your personal action steps for the week can be: 

• How can we apply the lesson that “a person who is forgiven little shows only little love”? 
• How will you emulate the woman’s gratitude and love for Jesus in your life? 
• What steps will you take to look out for the outcasts you may encounter in your life to show compassion and love to them? 
• How will we as a group keep each other accountable to our action steps this week? 
   
   

Closing 

Read the first section to your group, then read the verse out loud to the group, and finally, move to the Prayer and Verses section: 

Love that truly reflects the heart of God is never passive—it moves, restores, and redefines what matters most. When we choose to love beyond expectations, it has the power to break down barriers, soften hearts, and open doors for transformation. The way we love others speaks louder than words, revealing what we believe about grace, forgiveness, and worth. As we go forward, may we not just receive this love, but also extend it freely, knowing that even the simplest act of love can leave a lasting impact. 

Prayer and Verses 

Ask for prayer requests and conclude your time with prayer then share the Key Verse for the Week and Daily Devotional Verses with the group. 

Thematic Reflection Verse for the Week 

*Read this verse, then encourage the practice of memorization through the week. 

John 15:12 

“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.” 

**When practiced consistently, memorizing Bible verses can be an important spiritual practice that centers your mind around the truth that God has given us. 

Daily Devotional Verses  

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Use the S.O.A.P. method to reflect on the verses below. 

Scripture: Read the verses several times. Reading out loud can be helpful as well. 
Observation: What can you see about the scripture you read? 
Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do, or feel, based on what you have read? 
Prayer: This is a chance to talk to God about what you have read and ask him for help in living out what you’ve learned. 

Day 1: 1 John 4:7-10 

Day 2: 1 Corinthians 13:13 

Day 3: Luke 6:35 

Day 4: 1 John 3:18 

Day 5: Philippians 2:3 

Day 6: Galatians 6:2