THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT | Jesus can change the effect you have on others

It can be hard to see how life with Jesus makes an *actual” difference. This is a good week to bring tangible examples and stories of ways your faith in Jesus, your relationship with Jesus and other believers, your use of Scripture, or the inspiration and challenge you find in worship songs shape how you show up in the world. Tangible stories help students’ brains connect the dots as you model the impact your faith has on your day-to-day life. Be sure to share stories of serving and helping others to tie this back to this week’s theme.

BOTTOM LINE
Jesus can change the effect you have on others.

SCRIPTURE
When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “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.” Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said.

“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven” (Luke 7:36-48).

• Small Group Questions

  JUST FOR FUN

  If you could live in any fictional universe for one week, where would you go?

  DISCUSS THIS

  1. When have you seen a small choice—yours or someone else’s—have a big effect? What happened?
  
  2. The woman in the story was judged harshly by others. Have you ever felt like people made assumptions about you based on your past? How did that feel?

  3. How can you tell the difference between guilt (I made a mistake) and shame (I am a mistake)? How might that difference impact how we show up in places like church or small group?

  4. Jesus didn’t just forgive the woman—He gave her a fresh start. What do you think it would look like to start fresh with Jesus right now?

  5. What’s one area in your life where you want Jesus to help change the effect you're having on others? How can this Small Group, or someone you trust, support you?

  6. Think of a time when someone extended forgiveness or gave you a second chance. How did that impact your relationship with them or your view of yourself?

  7. The bottom line was “Jesus can change the effect you have on others.” What does that look like practically at school, in your family, or online?
  
  TRY THIS
  
  Ask your group this question: “Is there someone in your life who could use a reminder that their story isn’t over? What could you do to encourage them this week?” On a 3x5 index card, challenge your students to write down their name on the card. On the back, write one action step they can take to encourage that person this week.