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She Loved Much

A dinner party, an uninvited guest, a two-debtor math problem, and the four questions asked in a storm

  • 🏔️ Youth 16–18
  • Week 9
  • 📅 Sunday, February 28, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Jesus Christ came to heal sinners, not to condemn them, and when we let Him forgive and calm us, we love Him more and see other people the way He does.

I can bring my sins and my storms to Jesus Christ, trust Him to heal both, and stop sizing other people up the way Simon did.

Study it yourself firstRead Matthew 8; Mark 2–4; Luke 7 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Matthew 8; Mark 2–4; Luke 7)
Know the chapters

This block is full of healings: a leper (Matthew 8:1–4), a centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5–13; Luke 7:1–10), Peter’s mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14–15), a man lowered through a roof (Mark 2:1–12), a withered hand (Mark 3:1–5), and a widow’s only son raised at Nain (Luke 7:11–16). Mark 2 is the key to reading all of them: Jesus forgave the paralyzed man’s sins first, then healed his body so that people would know He had power to forgive (Mark 2:10). The physical miracles point to a deeper healing everyone needs. Mark 4:35–41 adds the calming of the storm, where four questions are asked in seven verses, two by the disciples and two by Jesus.

Luke 7:36–50 is today’s scripture scene. Guests at a formal meal usually reclined on their sides with their feet stretched away from the table, which is how a woman could stand “at his feet behind him.” Simon, a respected Pharisee, skipped the ordinary courtesies for a guest (water for the feet, a kiss of greeting, oil for the head), while a woman the town called a sinner gave all three with tears and ointment. Jesus answered Simon’s silent judgment with a parable: two debtors, one owing 500 pence and the other 50. A penny (a denarius) was about a day’s pay for a laborer (Matthew 20:2), so one debt was well over a year of work.

A doctrinal note worth making: in the parable, the debtor loves because he was forgiven, not to earn forgiveness. Her love was the evidence of a forgiven heart, and Jesus told her it was her faith that saved her (Luke 7:50). Simon’s problem wasn’t that he had fewer sins; it was that he didn’t think he needed much forgiving. Elder Ulisses Soares taught from this very account in “The Savior’s Abiding Compassion” (October 2021).

For 16–18-year-olds: be honest that not every prayer for healing is answered with a physical cure. The Lord has promised that those with faith to be healed who are “not appointed unto death” will be healed (D&C 42:48), and He also carries our pains and sicknesses so He knows how to help us (Alma 7:11–12). Many of your youth have prayed for a grandparent or friend who wasn’t healed. Give room for that. Matthew 8:19–22 also fits this age: Jesus invites would-be followers to put Him ahead of everything, which is exactly the decision many of them face with missions, college plans, and the temple.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Luke 7:36–50 and Mark 4:35–41. Open with the Two Debts poll, let Teach Mode carry the dinner scene, do the Four Corners wiggle, and have pairs hunt for the four questions in the storm. Skip the Clue Race if time is short, but keep two discussion questions and end quietly with Luke 7:50. Brought nothing? Tap “I brought nothing”: you read Mark 4 aloud while the class claps for every question they hear.

What to bring3 items

Tick what you have. Forgot something? Every step that needs a supply has a no-supplies version in the plan below.

Before class

  1. Read Luke 7:36–50 slowly. Notice every contrast Jesus draws between Simon and the woman in verses 44–46.
  2. Text two youth before Sunday: a Narrator for the dinner scene and someone to play Simon’s Thoughts (they voice what Simon says “within himself”).
  3. Read Mark 4:35–41 and find the four questions yourself so you can help pairs who get stuck.
  4. Optional: read Elder Ulisses Soares, “The Savior’s Abiding Compassion” (October 2021). You’ll read one sentence from it in the discussion.
  5. Think of one honest time the Savior calmed a storm in your life, or forgave you when you didn’t feel you deserved it.

If your class is wild

  • The woman’s role has no lines, only actions. Offer it to someone who wants to be in the scene without speaking, and keep it dignified: this is a reverent moment, not comedy.
  • Simon’s Thoughts is the fun part. Let them overact the side-eye. The laughter makes Jesus’s answer land harder.
  • Some youth will be carrying a real storm (a sick parent, a breakup, anxiety). Never ask anyone to name theirs aloud.
  • In the Clue Race, teach the shortcut: chapter headings and scanning for key words. It’s a real study skill, and the fast finders will show off.
  • Let youth lead: the Narrator runs the scene, a discussion leader asks the questions, and someone offers the closing prayer.

The 25-minute plan25 min + bonus

Bonus steps are for when you have extra time. Steps that mention Teach Mode, the Sound Board or other class games refer to the Gospel Sparks app; on the web you can play Forehead Guess and Scripture Showdown from this page.

1. Hook

The Two Debts

3 min

A quick gut-check poll sets up the exact question Jesus asked Simon, before anyone knows it’s from the scriptures.

  1. Show the screen. Say: “Two people owe the same lender. One owes 500 days of wages. The other owes 50. Neither can pay. The lender cancels both debts.”
  2. Ask: “Who is more grateful?” Hands up for the 500 person, then the 50 person.
  3. Then ask: “What if the 50 person doesn’t think they owe anything at all?” Let them talk for 30 seconds.
  4. SAY“Jesus asked this exact question at a dinner party, to a man who thought he didn’t owe much. Let’s go to dinner.”

Class screen: 💰 Two debts cancelled. Who is more grateful? · Debt A: 500 days of wages · Debt B: 50 days of wages · Both forgiven

2. Story

Scripture Scene: Dinner at Simon’s House

6 min

Acting out Luke 7:36–50 lets youth see both Simon’s quiet judgment and the woman’s faith, and how the Savior treats each.

  1. Hand out roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode). The Narrator reads the Savior’s words; no one plays Jesus.
  2. Your Narrator reads each scene while the cast acts. Simon’s Thoughts stands right behind Simon.
  3. After scene 4, pause and ask: “Did Simon say anything rude out loud?” (No. Jesus answered his thoughts.)
  4. After scene 8, ask: “Who in this story knew they needed Jesus? Who didn’t?”
  5. SAY“Simon wasn’t a villain. He was a respected church guy who invited Jesus over. He just didn’t think he needed much from Him.”
🌪️ If the Guests get giggly, give them a job: they must freeze like statues whenever the Woman is on stage.

Class screen: 🎭 Dinner at Simon’s house: an uninvited guest · Luke 7:36–50

3. Wiggle break

Four Corners: Who Do You Get?

2 min

Moving to a corner lets youth connect with a person in this week’s chapters without having to explain themselves.

  1. Everyone stands. Name the four corners: Simon · the Woman · the Dinner Guests · the Disciples in the storm.
  2. SAY“Go to the person whose feelings you understand best right now. No one has to say why.”
  3. Ask one volunteer per corner, only if they want: “What’s one thing that person got right, or got wrong?”
  4. SAY“Jesus had something for every one of them. Including the guy who judged.”

Class screen: 🧭 Which person do you understand best right now? · Simon · The Woman · The Guests · The Disciples in the storm

4. Scripture

Four Questions in a Storm

5 min

Hunting for the questions in Mark 4:35–41 builds a real study skill and turns the storm into a mirror for youth facing their own.

  1. Pairs open Mark 4:35–41. Say: “There are four questions in these seven verses. Find all four.” Start the Big Timer for 90 seconds.
  2. Collect them: “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (38) · “Why are ye so fearful?” (40) · “How is it that ye have no faith?” (40) · “What manner of man is this?” (41).
  3. Ask: “Two questions come from the disciples, two from Jesus. What does each pair tell you?”
  4. SAY“The disciples’ first question is the one we ask in hard times: Do you even care? His answer was to stand up and calm it. The storm stopped, and then their real question began: who is He?”
  5. Read Mark 4:40–41 together.
🌪️ If phones wander, one person reads and the other points at the question marks. Swap halfway.
⏱️ Big Timer (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🌊 Find four questions in Mark 4:35–41 · Mark 4:35–41 · Two from the disciples · two from Jesus

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: Scriptures: the youth’s own Gospel Library app, or a printed Bible for each pair

Clap for the Questions

  1. SAY“I’ll read Mark 4:35–41. Every time you hear a question, clap once.”
  2. Read slowly from your own scriptures. After each clap, repeat the question aloud and have someone guess who asked it.
  3. Ask: “Two came from the disciples, two from Jesus. What does each pair tell you?”
  4. SAY“Their first question is the one we ask in hard times: Do you even care? His answer was to stand up and calm it.” Read Mark 4:40–41 together.

Class screen: 👏 Clap every time you hear a question. · Mark 4:35–41

5. Game

Clue Race: The Healer

4 min

A search race through Matthew 8, Mark 2–3, and Luke 7 shows how many kinds of people Jesus healed and practices finding verses fast.

  1. Two teams. Say: “I’ll read a clue. First team to find the verse and read it aloud gets the point. Chapter headings are your friend.”
  2. Clues: “Asked Jesus, ‘If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.’” (Matthew 8:2) · “A soldier who said, ‘Speak the word only.’” (Matthew 8:8) · “Four friends broke through a roof.” (Mark 2:4) · “Told to stretch forth his hand on the Sabbath.” (Mark 3:5) · “A widow’s only son sat up at his own funeral.” (Luke 7:15)
  3. After each point, ask the team: “Body, heart, or both? What did this person need most?”
  4. Tally the points. Winning team picks who says the closing prayer.
🌪️ Keep the pace fast. If one team dominates, the losing team gets to hear the next clue five seconds early.

Class screen: 🔎 Find the healing first. Read it aloud to score. · Matthew 8 · Mark 2–3 · Luke 7

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: Scriptures: the youth’s own Gospel Library app, or a printed Bible for each pair

Run and Name It

  1. Two teams line up at the back wall. Read a clue from the list; one runner per team races to touch the front wall and shouts the answer.
  2. Clues: a leper who asked if Jesus was willing · a soldier who said, “Speak the word only” · four friends and a roof · a withered hand on the Sabbath · a widow’s son at his funeral.
  3. If a runner doesn’t know, their team can shout help once. Read the verse yourself after each answer.
  4. After each point, ask: “Body, heart, or both? What did this person need most?”

Class screen: 🏃 Race to the wall. Name the healing. · Body, heart, or both?

6. Talk it over

Real Talk

3 min

Honest questions connect Simon’s dinner and the storm to school, church, and the decisions youth are making now.

  1. Sit in a circle. A youth discussion leader reads the questions and calls on people.
  2. Before question 3, read the one-sentence quote from Elder Ulisses Soares in this lesson’s conference quote.
  3. Pick two or three. Let silence work, and share one honest answer yourself.
💬 Ask the class
  • Simon was religious, polite, and hosting Jesus, and he still missed Him. How can someone do the “right” church things and still miss the Savior?
  • Jesus said the one forgiven much loves much. Does that mean you have to mess up a lot to love Him? What was Simon actually missing?
  • Mark 2:17 says Jesus came for the sick. What should our class, seminary, or group chat feel like to someone who is struggling?
  • In Matthew 8:19–22 Jesus asks people to put Him ahead of even good things. What might you need to put second as you prepare for a mission, college, or the temple?
  • Which of the four storm questions have you asked lately? What helped you, or what do you wish had?

Class screen: 💬 Real talk

7. Testimony

Go in Peace

2 min

Ending with Luke 7:50 invites each youth to bring their own sins and storms to the Savior.

  1. Wait for real quiet. Show Luke 7:50 on the screen.
  2. SAY“Think of one thing you would bring to Him if you were at that dinner: something to be forgiven, or something that feels like a storm. Don’t say it. Just hold it for a few seconds.” Give 20 seconds of silence.
  3. Share your short example of the Savior forgiving you or calming a storm. Testify that He doesn’t size us up the way Simon did; He says, “Go in peace.”
  4. Introduce the challenge and ask a youth to pray.

Class screen: 🕊️ “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” · Luke 7:50

8. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A team quiz reviews Luke 7, Mark 2–4, and Matthew 8.

  1. Split into two teams. Tap Scripture Showdown.
  2. Teams get 10 seconds to agree. Bonus point if they can name the chapter.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown: Matthew 8; Mark 2–4; Luke 7

9. Game

Draw & Guess: The Healer

4 minBONUS

A quick drawing round reviews the people and places from this week.

  1. Tap Draw & Guess. One youth draws a word from this lesson on your phone or tablet; the class guesses.
  2. Whoever guesses right explains in one sentence where it shows up in the chapters, then draws next.
🖍️ Draw & Guess (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: ✏️ Draw it. Guess it. Tell where it’s from.

Story drama

Dinner at Simon’s House

Luke 7:36–50 ↗

Parts to hand out

  • NarratorReads each scene, including the Savior’s words. No one plays Jesus.
  • Simon the PhariseeThe polished host who never offered water, a kiss, or oil. Answers the two-debtor question.
  • Simon’s ThoughtsStands behind Simon and says out loud what he is thinking “within himself.”
  • The WomanEnters uninvited with her alabaster box, kneels, and weeps. No lines, all action.
  • Dinner GuestsEveryone else: recline, stare, whisper, and ask, “Who is this that forgiveth sins also?”

Scenes

  1. 🍽️ A Pharisee invites Jesus to dinner

    Simon, a respected Pharisee, invited Jesus to a formal dinner. The guests reclined on their sides around a low table, feet stretched out behind them. Everything looked proper.

    🎬 Simon waves the Guests to their places. The Guests lean on one elbow on the floor or across chairs, looking important.

  2. 🚪🏺 An uninvited guest walks in

    Then someone walked in who was definitely not on the guest list: a woman known in the city as a sinner. She was carrying an alabaster box of ointment, and she went straight to where Jesus was.

    🎬 The Woman enters slowly from the door. The Guests gasp and elbow each other.

  3. 😢🦶 Tears, hair, and ointment

    She stood at His feet behind Him, weeping. Her tears fell on His feet, so she wiped them with her hair, kissed His feet, and poured the ointment on them. The scriptures don’t record her saying a word.

    🎬 The Woman kneels and bows her head. Everyone else goes completely silent.

  4. 🧐💭 “If he were a prophet…”

    Simon didn’t say anything out loud. But inside, he was judging both of them: if this man were really a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him.

    🎬 Simon smiles politely. Simon’s Thoughts steps up behind him and says, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have known… for she is a sinner.”

  5. 💰💰 “Simon, I have somewhat to say”

    Jesus answered the thought Simon never spoke. He told a story: a lender had two debtors. One owed 500 pence, the other 50. Neither could pay, so he forgave them both. Which one will love him more?

    🎬 Simon shifts uncomfortably, then answers: “I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most.” The Narrator reads: “Thou hast rightly judged.”

  6. 👀 “Seest thou this woman?”

    Jesus turned toward the woman but kept talking to Simon. You gave me no water for my feet; she washed them with tears. You gave me no kiss; she hasn’t stopped kissing my feet. You didn’t anoint my head; she anointed my feet.

    🎬 Each time Jesus names something Simon didn’t do, the Guests look at Simon. Each time He names what she did, they look at the Woman.

  7. 💬 “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven”

    Then Jesus said it plainly: her sins, which are many, are forgiven, and that is why she loves so much. The one who thinks he has been forgiven little loves little. And He told her directly: thy sins are forgiven.

    🎬 The Woman looks up for the first time. Simon looks down.

  8. 🕊️ “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace”

    The other guests began to wonder within themselves: who is this, who forgives sins too? Then Jesus spoke to her: your faith has saved you. Go in peace.

    🎬 The Guests whisper, “Who is this that forgiveth sins also?” The Woman stands and walks out slowly, head up.

Key verse

Luke 7:47 ↗
“Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.”
In plain words: Her many sins are forgiven, and her great love shows it. Someone who thinks they need only a little forgiveness ends up loving only a little.
🙌 Memory hooks: “Her sins, which are many” = hands spread wide · “are forgiven” = sweep hands clean · “for she loved much” = hand on heart · “to whom little is forgiven” = pinch fingers small · “the same loveth little” = small, shrugging heart.

More verses

Mark 2:17 ↗
“They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
In plain words: Healthy people don’t need a doctor. Sick people do. Jesus came for people who know they need Him.
Mark 4:40–41 ↗
“Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? … What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
In plain words: Jesus asked why they were so afraid. They asked each other who this could be, if even the storm obeys Him.
Luke 7:50 ↗
“Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”
In plain words: Your faith in Jesus has saved you. Go in peace.
Matthew 8:20 ↗
“The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”
In plain words: Following Jesus isn’t the comfortable option. Even He had no place of His own to sleep.

Forehead Guess words16 words

  • 🧐 Simon the Pharisee
  • 🏺 Alabaster box
  • 💰 Two debtors
  • 😢 Tears
  • 🪖 Centurion
  • ⚰️ Widow of Nain
  • 🏠 Roof
  • 🛏️ Palsy
  • 🩺 Physician
  • 🙏 Leper
  • 🌊 Storm
  • 🤫 Peace, be still
  • 💤 Pillow
  • ✋ Withered hand
  • 🦊 Foxes
  • 🕊️ Forgiven
Clues for each word
  • Simon the Pharisee: Hosted Jesus for dinner but judged silently
  • Alabaster box: Held the ointment she poured on His feet
  • Two debtors: One owed 500 pence, one owed 50
  • Tears: What she washed His feet with
  • Centurion: Roman soldier: “Speak the word only”
  • Widow of Nain: Her only son was raised at his funeral
  • Roof: Four friends broke through it
  • Palsy: The man on the bed couldn’t move
  • Physician: The sick need one, the whole don’t
  • Leper: “If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean”
  • Storm: Filled the ship while Jesus slept
  • Peace, be still: What He said to the sea
  • Pillow: Jesus was asleep on one in the ship
  • Withered hand: Healed on the Sabbath in Mark 3
  • Foxes: They have holes; the Son of man had no place
  • Forgiven: What He told the woman her sins were
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown9 questions

  1. What did Simon fail to give Jesus when He arrived?
    • A. Bread and wine
    • B. Water, a kiss, and oil
    • C. A seat at the table
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Water, a kiss, and oil Luke 7:44–46. The woman gave all three, with tears and ointment.

  2. In the parable, how much did the two debtors owe?
    • A. 500 and 50 pence
    • B. 100 and 10 talents
    • C. 1,000 and 1 pence
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 500 and 50 pence Luke 7:41. A penny was about a day’s wages (Matthew 20:2).

  3. Simon said something rude about the woman. Where?
    • A. Out loud to the guests
    • B. In a letter
    • C. Only in his thoughts
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Only in his thoughts Luke 7:39: he “spake within himself.” Jesus answered anyway.

  4. What did Jesus say saved the woman?
    • A. Her ointment
    • B. Her faith
    • C. Her tears
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Her faith Luke 7:50: “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”

  5. In Mark 2, what did Jesus do before healing the man on the bed?
    • A. Forgave his sins
    • B. Asked for his name
    • C. Sent the crowd away
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Forgave his sins Mark 2:5, 10–11. The healing showed He had power to forgive.

  6. Who said, “Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed”?
    • A. Jairus
    • B. A centurion
    • C. Peter
    Show answer

    ✅ B. A centurion Matthew 8:8. Jesus marveled at his faith.

  7. The disciples woke Jesus in the storm asking…
    • A. “Where is the shore?”
    • B. “Can you swim?”
    • C. “Carest thou not that we perish?”
    Show answer

    ✅ C. “Carest thou not that we perish?” Mark 4:38. Then He calmed the sea and asked about their faith.

  8. Who did Jesus say He came to call?
    • A. Sinners to repentance
    • B. Only the righteous
    • C. Only the rich
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Sinners to repentance Mark 2:17. The sick are the ones who need a physician.

  9. Where did Jesus raise a widow’s only son?
    • A. Capernaum
    • B. Bethany
    • C. Nain
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Nain Luke 7:11–15. He stopped the funeral and told the young man to arise.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

From general conference

“Even knowing all our weaknesses as He does, the Savior does not rashly condemn us but continues to work with us compassionately over time, helping us to remove the beam from our eye.”

— Elder Ulisses Soares, “The Savior’s Abiding Compassion,” October 2021

Read in Real Talk, before the question about what our class should feel like to someone who is struggling.

Read the talk ↗

Songs

  • Master, the Tempest Is Raging Hymns, no. 105

    Written about the storm in Mark 4. See the extra idea for matching its lines to the verses. Find it ↗

  • I Need Thee Every Hour Hymns, no. 98

    A quiet opener for a lesson about knowing how much we need the Savior. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Seest Thou This Person?

This week, notice one person other people size up or overlook (at school, at work, online, or at church) and treat them the way Jesus treated the woman at Simon’s table. Then, during the sacrament next Sunday, bring Him one specific thing you need forgiven or calmed.

Text the parents

This week we acted out Luke 7:36–50, where a woman everyone judged washed Jesus’s feet with her tears while His host, Simon, quietly judged them both, and we hunted for the four questions in the storm in Mark 4. Ask your teen: what was Simon missing, and which of the storm questions have they asked lately?

📝 After class

What worked? Who needs a check-in this week? Jot it here on a printed copy, or in the app’s private class notes.

Got extra time?

🎵 Hymn Match: Master, the Tempest Is Raging · 4 min

  1. Open hymn 105 in Hymns or Gospel Library and Mark 4:35–41 side by side.
  2. In pairs, match each verse of the hymn to a verse in Mark 4. Which lines echo “carest thou not”? Which echo “Peace, be still”?
  3. Sing or read the hymn together and ask: “Which line would you want to hear in your own storm?”

🏠 Four Friends and a Roof · 4 min

  1. Read Mark 2:1–5. Point out that Jesus saw “their faith,” the friends’ faith, not only the man’s.
  2. Ask: “Who has carried you to the Savior when you couldn’t get there yourself?”
  3. Challenge each youth to think of one friend they could “carry” this week: a ride to an activity, a text, an invitation.

🥇 Put Him First · 4 min

  1. Read Matthew 8:19–22 and Luke 9:57–62.
  2. Ask: “Each man had a good reason to wait. Why would Jesus answer so strongly?”
  3. Have each youth write privately one good thing they may need to put second to follow Him this year.

Sources

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version, the Bible used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tap or click a reference to open it in Gospel Library. Start with the official Come, Follow Me manual; these ideas are here to help it come alive.

All Youth 16–18 lessons