Worth It? - The Holy Habit of Devotion

Main Thought

In Luke 7 and John 12, we see two powerful moments where women offer extravagant devotion to Jesus. Both brought something costly—perfume of great value—and poured it out at His feet. Their actions didn’t make sense to everyone watching. Some saw waste. It was worship in the eyes of God. These women saw value in Jesus, so they held nothing back.

Grace is free, but devotion is costly. Jesus freely offers forgiveness, restoration, and new life - things we could never earn. Yet understanding the great things we’ve received from God changes how we respond to Him. We love because He first loved us. Loving devotion is costly. Devotion to God inspires us to offer things that are precious to us: not out of obligation, but out of love. When we do, sacrifices that might look like loss or a waste to the world become worship that honors God.

Main Passages

“And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner… brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.”
- Luke 7:37–38

“Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”
- John 12:3

“Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
- Luke 7:47

Discussion Questions

1. Has there been a time in your life when you had to sacrifice? Did it impact your faith and growth as a believer?

2. Both passages emphasize being at Jesus’ feet. Why is it important to live a life that consistently returns to His feet in humility, worship, and surrender?

3. Following Jesus is a gift, but it also involves sacrifice. What might “costly devotion” look like in your life right now (time, priorities, comfort, resources, etc.)?

What is Truth?

Main Thought

In John 18, Pilate asks Jesus a question that still echoes today: “What is truth?” In our world, truth is often treated as something personal and flexible. Phrases like “true for you, but not for me” communicate this idea. Some truths are relative - especially when it comes to preference or opinion. But we need more than relative truth. If everything is subjective, it becomes difficult to navigate reality, discern right and wrong, or know God.

Another kind (or category) of truth is absolute truth. Absolute truth is simply that which is real. It is not something we decide; it is something we discover. But we can’t discover the answers to life’s greatest questions on our own. We need truth that has been revealed to us. Jesus declared that He came into the world to bear witness to the truth. Through Jesus - and through the Word of God - we are invited to know what is real, what is good, and who God truly is. When we abide in His Word, we come to know the truth. His truth has the power to set us free.

Main Passages

So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 

- John 18:33-36

Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

- John 18:37-38

“...If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

- John 8:31b-32

Discussion Questions

1. Our culture often talks about “my truth” or “your truth.” What are some examples of relative truth? Why do we need something more than personal opinion when it comes to life, morality, and knowing God?

2. How does knowing the truth - God’s truth - “set us free”?

3. Do any barriers prevent you from reading the Bible consistently? What might be able to help you “abide in the word” a little more?

When God Feels Late

Main Thought

In John 11, a story unfolds in the tension between hope and heartbreak. Lazarus has died. Martha and Mary are grieving. They know Jesus has the power to heal, but it seemed that He arrived too late. Yet God was working while they were waiting. Jesus didn’t delay because of indifference - but to reveal something incredible. God was going to impart faith and inspire worship.

Martha’s response reveals the posture of faith that allows us to meet God in the middle of doubt and uncertainty. She said: “But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Faith speaks even before the outcome is visible. In the midst of their grief, Jesus demonstrated that lament and thanksgiving can be forms of worship. He wept with those who mourned, and He thanked the Father. Jesus then called for the stone to be moved before Lazarus walked out of the grave. Breakthrough began when the stone started to move. When we trust in Jesus, we can worship Him honestly - in a way that includes lament and thanksgiving - while believing that God is at work.

Main Passages

“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” 

- John 11:21-26

“Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 

- John 11:39-40

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

- Romans 8:28

Discussion Questions

1. In John 11, Jesus delayed going to Lazarus even though He loved the family. Have you ever experienced a season where God seemed late or silent? Looking back, can you see ways God may have been working during that time?

2. Jesus showed us that we can worship when we lament, when we give thanks, and everything in between. When is it easy for you to worship God? When it is hard?

3. Jesus told the people to move the stone before Lazarus came out of the tomb. Why do you think Jesus asked them to participate in this step of faith and trust? What “stone” might God be asking you to move in faith right now?