Connect
What’s your favorite Christmas song?

Respond to The After Party

View The After Party video here: https://youtu.be/vKt1-74WJp0
Feel free to share this link with your Life Group to watch ahead of time or watch together as a group.

Brandon encouraged us all to begin by considering this question together:
When you think about the sin in your own life, do you find yourself more prone to looking backward, feeling stuck in the shame of your past and struggling to believe the truth that Jesus has fully forgiven you OR do you find yourself leaning more towards the posture of feeling unintentionally indifferent/unmoved about what Christ has done for you? Share honestly with the group.

Engage & Apply

Read Luke 7:36-50
In this story, we meet two different people with two very different postures towards Jesus. Describe some specific things that you noticed from the text about the postures of both the sinful women and the Pharisee, Simon. Which person (or posture) do you relate with more?

In verse 39, we get a glimpse into what Simon was thinking as the woman was bent down, anointing Jesus: “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
From the outside looking in, it’s easy to recognize that Simon held the posture of entitlement when it came to his religion/relationship with God. And yet, all too often, it’s hard to recognize that same prideful entitlement within ourselves. How can we keep our own hearts from becoming entitled/unmoved by what Jesus has done for us? How can we practically help one another in this way?

On the other hand, we see the woman’s posture towards Jesus as one of grief over her sin and repentance from it, followed by an overwhelming expression of gratitude by the forgiveness He offered her. What can we learn from her vulnerability and how can we be faithful in regularly acknowledging our sin yet not being unnecessarily burdened with guilt and shame over it?
What are some ways we can seek to actively grow in our joy and gratitude for what Christ has done (and is doing) in our lives individually as well as together as a community?

Communion and Prayer
As a group (and even over Zoom!), take these last few minutes together to share in communion and prayer, thanking the Lord together for the gift of forgiveness that you share because of Jesus. Try not to overthink this but simply use whatever you’ve got - crackers or bread, juice or wine - to remember and rejoice in this amazing grace we’ve been given.

Pray

Father, thank you for the miracle of forgiveness that we have all received because you sent Jesus on our behalf. Keep our hearts from becoming indifferent to this gift, as well as, from the burdens of shame, condemnation, and guilt from our pasts. Help us to keep both the sacredness of the cross and the joy of the empty tomb in our daily perspectives as we long to fully experience the joy of our salvation and also share it with those around us. We love you and pray all these things in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

Bonus

Ephesians 2 is a wonderful portion of scripture to meditate upon, that can help remind us of who we once were and who we now are because of Jesus. Take some time to read over the chapter this week or simply choose a verse to memorize/meditate upon.

Also, worship songs and hymns can also be such a wonderfully helpful way to keep our hearts and minds in a balanced perspective - both reflective of our sin and salvation. “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” is one of those songs. Take some time to not only listen to the music but ponder the incredible words to this beautiful song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsinjDvpKQY