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This lesson is designed to take approximately 90 minutes in lifegroup or discipleship settings.

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🎉 CELEBRATE (35 mins)

• CELEBRATE ONE ANOTHER (15 mins)
  • Vision: Invite someone in your group to share the vision.
  • Icebreaker:
    • If you could be physically present during one a moments recorded in the Bible, besides the resurrection of Jesus because we all want to pick that, which moment would you choose and why?
  • Check-Ins: life updates, praise reports, etc.
• ANNOUNCEMENTS epicentre.org/events (5 mins)
  • This is the central spot, where you can stay up to date with all events and announcements at our church!
• CELEBRATE GOD THROUGH WORSHIP (15 mins)
  • Take some time to encourage a member to prepare the worship space. This *guide* can help them plan the time: *Tips for Leading Worship at Lifegroup.*
  • If helpful, you can also pick from this worship list of Spotify playlists/Youtube songs.

❤️ ACCOUNTABILITY (5 mins)

• In twos or threes, take a few minutes to check in on how you're living life with God. Share, encourage, challenge, and pray for one another.
  • Have you been working for Jesus or being with Jesus more lately? Why?

📖 LEARN IT (40 mins)

• SCRIPTURE DISCUSSION
  • Short Context:
    • Matthew 26:6-13 sets the anointing in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, framed by the plot to kill Jesus (vv. 3-5) and Judas's deal with the chief priests (vv. 14-16). Matthew deliberately places a costly act of worship between two acts of betrayal. A woman pours expensive ointment on Jesus' head, the disciples call it a waste (vv. 8-9), and Jesus calls it "a beautiful thing" (v. 10) and says she has prepared him for burial (v. 12). Matthew never names her, but John 12:1-8 tells what appears to be the same event and identifies her as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, the same Mary who sat at Jesus' feet in Luke 10:39.

MATTHEW 26:6-13 (NIV)

6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

QUESTIONS

1. What stands out to you from this passage?
2. What can we understand about Jesus in this passage? Why?
3. What can we understand about people in this passage? Why?
4. If you were in this room, what do you imagine your position would be, and why?
   1. Hosting, like Simon the Leper?
   2. Reclining with Jesus?
   3. Serving or cooking the food?
   4. Off the side watching?
   5. Outside looking in?
   6. Anointing Jesus with Mary?
   7. Doing something else?
5. Based on your position, what do you feel like Jesus would say to you?
   1. Sit quietly for 1-2 minutes. Ask Jesus: “Jesus, what do you want me to know?” Write down what comes to mind.
      1. Example: “Bob, I want you to know…”
   2. What is your response to Jesus? Write it down.
      1. Example: “Jesus, I…”