Glencairn Church

Going Deeper is designed for use with your small group, a friend or on you own. Its aim is to create time for you to spend with God and his word. Do as much or as little as you like. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact one of our pastoral staff.

1. Pray for the needs of your Life Group, for our church and our leaders, for personal and corporate renewal, and to allow God’s word to transform us. Share a recent entry from your Life Journal with the group.

2. This Sunday we saw a contrast in responses to Jesus from two individuals -- a woman and a Pharisee. Both were seeking Jesus, both were spiritually bankrupt, yet one held on to their religious good works and was rejected, while the other broke down and wept at God’s great gift of forgiveness. What thoughts or questions did the message raise for you?

3. Read Luke 7:36-50. Focus on verses 41-43. Who are the two people that owed money? What was Jesus trying to communicate to Simon, and to us? What determines whether someone is spiritually bankrupt? What causes people to be blind to this truth? Who is “alive” and who is “dead” in this story?

4. Read Matt 11:28-30. The Harmony of the Gospels suggests that these words from Jesus were spoken just prior to this encounter in Luke 7. Perhaps this prostitute heard those words. Now consider that moment when she approaches Jesus, and instead of anointing his feet, she is overwhelmed with emotion (v38). What do you suppose is going through her mind? How do you think you would respond in that situation?

5. In AD 55, Paul wrote, “I am the least of the apostles” (1Cor. 15:9). In AD 60, Paul said, “I am the least of all the believers” (Eph. 3:8). In AD 64, he said, “I am the greatest of all sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15). Can you relate to Paul’s observations? As C. S. Lewis wrote: “The closer you get to the light, the more dirt you see on your shirt.” Have you experienced this? Discuss in your group.

6. Read the following verses, and then rejoice in the forgiveness God makes available. Isa 1:18; 43:25-26; 55:6-7; Act 13:38-39; Rom 4:7-8; Eph 4:32; Heb 8:12

7. “The more we express our sorrow for sin and our love for Christ, the clearer evidence we have of the forgiveness of our sins.” (Matthew Henry). What do you think about this? As you experience forgiveness, do you experience a greater love for others (family, neighbours, workmates)?

8. How has the King spoken to you today? Take a moment of silence to consider how God is speaking to you through these verses.. Is He asking you to make changes or to do something new? What concrete steps of response do you want to take? How can your group support you in these steps?