Study Questions

1. The woman broke her alabaster jar and poured out perfume worth a year's wages. What is something valuable — financially, emotionally, or time-wise — that you find difficult to give freely to God? What holds you back?
2. The people around the table called her act a "waste." Have you ever been criticized or felt embarrassed for an expression of faith or devotion to Jesus? How did you respond?
3. Jesus said, "She did what she could." Normally we use that phrase when someone has fallen short. What do you think Jesus meant by using it here as a compliment?
4. Ken notes that everyone pours themselves out extravagantly into something. When you honestly assess your time, money, and energy, what does your life say you love most extravagantly?
5. Jesus connected the woman's act to His own coming death, saying she was preparing His body for burial. How does understanding the cross change the way you view sacrifice and generosity in your own life?
6. The same Greek word for "poured out" is used for the woman's perfume in verse 3 and for Jesus' blood in verse 24. What does that parallel reveal about the nature of true love and sacrifice?
7. Jesus told the critics, "Leave her alone." Why do you think criticism of others' devotion is so common, even among believers? How can a small group or church community guard against that spirit?
8. Ken challenges us to ask: Is Jesus even in the running when it comes to what we love extravagantly? How would you honestly answer that question about your own life right now?
9. The story of Charles Welch illustrates how what we pour out for Jesus can go much further than we expect. Can you think of a time when a sacrifice you or someone else made for God had an impact far beyond what was anticipated?
10. Jesus said, "Wherever the gospel is preached, what she did will be told." What does it mean to you that a private act of worship became a permanent part of Scripture? How does that motivate your own acts of devotion?
11. Ken says that loving extravagantly is not a matter of economics or personality — everyone does it for something. Do you agree? What might change if you intentionally redirected that extravagance toward Jesus?
12. As you close, invite each person to finish this sentence: "One thing I feel God is calling me to pour out for Him this week is..." Pray together over those responses.