Scripture Passages
Matthew 26:6-13
Mark 14:3-11
Luke 7:36-50
John 11:55-57
John 12:1-11
Proverbs 26:24-26
Proverbs 6:16-19
2 Timothy 3:12-15
 

OVERVIEW
It’s an eye-opening experience reading the story for this week’s lesson from the perspective of each of the four Gospel writers—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Mary’s heart is bursting with love for her Savior, Jesus, who has forgiven all her sins. In the corner you see greedy Judas Iscariot, wishing that the expensive perfume had been sold and the proceeds donated to Jesus’ ministry, which would allow him to steal “his portion” as the group’s money bag manager. Jealous chief priests are whispering about their plans to kill Lazarus, because too many people were believing in Jesus after witnessing him being raised from the dead. Simon the Pharisee, is voicing his doubts about Jesus being a true prophet, because if He was, wouldn’t He refuse to let Mary touch Him knowing that she is a sinner? A lot of judgmental words are being spoken and quiet scheming is taking place. Jesus looks at each heart and knows the real motives. He looks at our hearts, too. Living authentically is God’s plan for His people, but why is being genuine sometimes a struggle? Who is the real you? 
 

OPENING ACTIVITY:
WHAT IS IT?        
Supplies Needed: Paper; pens; plates; cups; napkins; spoons; forks; small dip cups; various tester items—lemonade and water with a lemon squeezed in; sour cream and Cool Whip; zucchini slices and cucumber slices (with ranch dressing); apple juice and sparkling white grape juice   

Before you meet, take a small amount of each of the tester samples and place them on the serving items (plates, cups, dip cups). There are eight items, but place four, one from each pair as listed, on large serving plates and number the plates 1 and 2. Try to make each of the paired items listed look like they are the same thing. Try covering the zucchini and cucumber slices with a light layer of ranch dressing to disguise them. Keep the tester items out of sight or covered with a paper towel before the activity. 

Have everyone form pairs by counting off 1,2; 1,2. Give each person a paper and pen. Do not give anyone the impression that the items on plates labeled 1 or 2 are different, but that they are simply labeled for each partner to get one. Have the 1’s from each pair taste their #1 plates, and the 2’s likewise with their #2 plates. They will each secretly write down what they think the item is. After all the tester items have been tasted, then the pairs will compare their notes. They will discover that their answers are different. 
 

QUESTIONS

• Was it surprising to discover that what you tasted was different from what your partner tasted? Did you think you were wrong?
• How did you react when you discovered the items were not the same things?
• Do you think judging the appearance of someone or something is a natural reaction everyone has? Why or why not?
• How do you react when someone misjudges you or misunderstands you? 
• What expectations does Jesus have for each of us when it comes to living authentically? 
• What do others see as you live your life? Do you ever feel misjudged? 
• How do you think Jesus sees you? 
   

BIBLE STUDY GUIDE
Read each Bible passage, then discuss the questions. If you are still worshiping from home, consider discussing one or more of the questions on social media, in a Zoom meeting, or in a group chat with friends.
 

Deception!
Read Proverbs 26:24-26. 

24 Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. 25 Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts. 26 Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. 
 

QUESTIONS

• How would you define deceit?
• When the people in today’s lesson voiced their sadness that the poor would not be helped due to the “waste” of Mary’s expensive perfume, what was really going on in their minds?
• Describe a time when you experienced someone speaking nice words, but you knew their motives were not good.  
• How did the story of Judas Iscariot eventually reveal his wickedness as verse 26 warns? 
   

Six Things the Lord Hates! 
Read Proverbs 6:16-19 (NIV).

16 There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. 

QUESTIONS

• Why do you think the Lord hates these six things?
• Describe how these negative behaviors are taking place in the story for today’s lesson?
• Who in the story was being judged for her wickedness? What was Jesus’ response? 
• Who in the story was devising wicked schemes? What was Jesus’ response?
• Who in the story had a lying tongue?
• In what ways were the chief priests stirring up conflict in the community? 
• Have you seen any of these six things in your life or maybe in a movie? What has been their affect?
• Why are things like haughty eyes, lying, scheming, and conflicts so destructive?
• How can Jesus help us to not get involved with these bad behaviors?
   

Keeping it Real with Jesus
Read 2 Timothy 3:12-15 (NIV).

12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
 

QUESTIONS

• In the story for today’s lesson Mary and Jesus were both being persecuted, but in what way were the accusations against them false?
• Who in the story were being imposters? How did Jesus know their true motives?
• In what way did Judas Iscariot the deceiver have his life go from bad to worse? 
• Jesus knew that the way Mary was anointing Him with perfume was a foreshadow of His soon death. How do you think this knowledge was received by the others who were in that home?
• Mary was a sinner, but Jesus offered her forgiveness. How do you think the forgiveness she received increased her faith in Jesus? 
• How can we be filled with gratitude like Mary and offer our heart-felt love and devotion to Jesus?
   

SUMMARY
Misjudging people and bad motives have caused problems since the very beginning. Eve misjudged God, because the serpent’s words made her question what she had been told. Abraham misjudged God when he decided to have a baby with his wife’s maid rather than wait for Sarai to produce an heir. Jesus was one of the most misjudged people ever, because even the most religious leaders would not accept Him as the Promised One, the Messiah, the Savior. Today, as followers of Jesus, we are misjudged, too. Many religious people misjudge what day the Sabbath is or how to observe it. Seventh-day Adventists are misjudged as legalistic for keeping Sabbath on Saturday instead of following the tradition of Sunday-keeping. God’s true followers have faced countless challenges throughout history, but the truth in the Bible still shines into darkness and the darkness will never overcome it. From now until Jesus comes back, there will be situations where people will judge Christians as trouble-makers or strange, but having faith in Jesus and keeping God’s Word in our hearts will be the armor that comforts and protects us. 
 

APPLICATION
Consider applying what you learned in this week’s lesson by doing one or all of these activities: 

• Creating and sharing a video clip in which you explain why we should not be judgmental towards others. 
• Praying that God will help you to live authentically and have good motives.
• Writing in your journal about a situation where everyone was judging each other and what the results were. Reflecting on what would have been a better way to interact. 
• Writing a poem about being real and authentic.
• Taking photos of the simplicity of God’s creations, and reflecting on how His love is reflected in nature. 
• Discussing what it means to “be the real you” with a small group of 4-8 friends.
• Offering to show genuine love for others by helping someone in need in your neighborhood, church, or community.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE
Mark 14:3-11

LEADER’S NOTE
For a Relational Bible Study (RBS) you’ll want to get into the Scripture passage and encourage the youth to imagine participating in the story while it’s happening. Then you will be able to better apply it to your own situation today.

You will need to ask God for the Holy Spirit to be present as your small group discusses the questions (no more than 3-6 people in a group is recommended). Start with the opening question. It is a personal question and the answer is unique for each individual. There is no right answer and nobody is an expert here, so don’t be surprised when you hear different responses. You are depending on the Holy Spirit to be present and to speak through your group. Say what God prompts you to say, and listen to what others share.

Take turns reading the chapter out loud. Follow that with giving the students some time to individually mark their responses to the questions (a PDF version of the handout is available as a download). This gives each person a starting point for responding when you start to share as a group. Next, begin the discussion by asking the students to share what they marked and why on each question as you work your way through. Feel free to take more time on some questions than others as discussion warrants.

Encourage each person in the group to apply what is discussed to their personal lives and to share with the group what they believe God wants them to do. Then ask them to pray that God will help each of them to follow through in doing so. Remind them to expect that God will show them ways to live out the message of this passage in the coming week, and that they are free to ask others in the group to help hold them accountable.
 

DOWNLOAD THE HANDOUT

OVERVIEW
The history between Mary Magdalene and Jesus goes way back. Mary and her family were very close friends of Jesus and took Him into their home, essentially making Him like another member of their family. As we can probably recall, Jesus resurrected Lazarus from the dead and, according to Bible scholars, Mary was the woman that Jesus rid of the 7 demons in Luke 8:2. According to this backstory, most will perceive this family, and by extension Mary, as respectable people. However, this was not the case. Mary, more commonly known as Mary Magdalene, was a well-known prostitute from Magdala and an outcast in the eyes of the Jewish leaders. To be seen fraternizing with the likes of her was severely frowned upon, especially to one claiming to be the Messiah. However, this did not stop Mary from expressing her love and gratitude to her Savior and putting a symbolic end to her sinful life by pouring her perfume on His feet and using her hair to dry it, two important assets of her lifestyle. Jesus, never one to waste an opportunity to make something a learning experience, promptly called out the nay-sayers on their negativism, and praised Mary on her act. 

Up to this point in His ministry, Jesus has been hounded by Jewish leaders murmuring and trying but failing to plot His demise. However, shortly after this encounter the first step in a chain of events leading up to Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice occurs: Judas, one of the 12 disciples, agrees to betray Jesus in exchange for money. Judas was considered the “richest” or “most accomplished” of the 12, but he was sleazy, looking for personal gain. As you and your youth study this lesson, make sure to reflect on the character traits portrayed by each character in the story, and value the eternal gain over the earthly one.
 

One Selfless Woman, One Selfish Man

What is your most prized possession?

Read Mark 14:3-11.

3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
 

1. Whose house was Jesus at?

1. Simon, the leper.
2. Simon, a disciple.
3. Simon Peter.
4. Simon, a Jewish leader.
5. Nicodemus.
6. We don’t know.
7. Simon, the leper who had been healed.
8. Other.
    

2. What was so special about the jar Mary had?

1. It was perfume.
2. It was expensive perfume.
3. It was an expensive jar.
4. It was a gorgeous jar with an expensive perfume inside.
5. It cost her about a year’s paycheck.
6. It wasn’t special; it was cheap.
7. It represented her past.
8. Other.
    

3. What did Mary do with the perfume?

1. Spilled it on Jesus by accident.
2. Poured it on Jesus’ head and let it drip off.
3. Anointed Jesus and prayed.
4. Anointed Jesus and dried it with her hair.
5. Knelt at His feet.
6. Showed her gratitude for His salvation.
7. Exuded humility.
8. Other.
    

4. What is significant about Jesus’ response to the murmurs?

1. He called out their hypocrisy.
2. He called them out for judging.
3. He acknowledged their claims about the poor but explained how they did not apply.
4. He praised Mary for her selflessness.
5. He showed them their selfishness.
6. He used Mary as an example of good, even though she was considered bad.
7. He yelled at them.
8. Other.
    

5. Who was Judas and what did he do in v. 10?

1. A Jesus follower.
2. He betrayed Jesus.
3. One of the main 12 disciples.
4. He agreed to team up with the Jewish leaders.
5. A well-respected man in Jesus’ team.
6. Exchanged eternal life for monetary gain.
7. A Jewish leader.
8. Defended Jesus to the other Jewish leaders.
9. Other.
    

6. What were the Jewish leaders plotting?

1. Jesus’ death.
2. Judas’ death.
3. To throw Jesus in jail.
4. To get rid of Jesus without public upheaval.
5. To coerce Judas into helping them.
6. To get rid of Jesus quietly.
7. To kill Jesus and His disciples.
8. Other.
    

7. What is a significant difference between Mary’s and Judas’ actions in this story?

8. How can we exude the type of selflessness Mary portrayed in this story?
 

SUMMARY
The paradox of this week’s story lies in our two main characters: Mary and Judas. Mary was a “sinful” woman who was to be avoided, but she performed an act of love like no other and obtained her salvation at the feet of the Savior. Judas was a highly respected man, possibly the “most credible” among the disciples, but in reality, he was a selfish man who had not truly let Jesus into his heart. Mary was willing to release her earthly possessions for her eternal gain, but Judas gave away his eternal life for pride of his own opinion, and a little monetary gain. This story provides the opportunity for us as today’s youth to open our eyes to what is truly valuable in this life: fostering our relationship with our Savior. 
 

APPLICATIONS
The story of Mary’s selflessness and Judas’ selfishness is relevant to modern life in so many different ways. It is always a necessary part of studying to sit back and meditate on how a story applies to us today. Below you will find three applications that can benefit the youth in your group and help them meditate on the Word shared today. These applications work both individually and in a group.

1. SELFLESS LOVE.
   It may be easy to read Mary’s story and say, “Oh, I would do that in a heartbeat too,” but it is entirely different when you think about the criticism she faced during the act. Even the act of foot washing that we perform during communion service does not hold the same amount of humility that Mary’s actions did.
   • What is one way you and your group can practice humility?
   • How can you show your love for the Savior through actions?
      
2. PRIZED POSSESSIONS.
   We all have prized possessions that we would never give up. They can range from clothing, or an object, to our electronics.
   • In a youth circle, share which possession you would have the hardest time giving up.
   • Then, make up scenarios (such as: would you give up your ____ for a million dollars?) and compare answers.
   • As you play the game, keep in mind: Would you give up your most prized possession in exchange for eternal life like Mary did?
      
3. JUDGY JUDIES.
   On this earth there are always people murmuring about what others are doing and investing themselves in business that does not concern them at all. This is commonly known as gossip. 
   • Challenge your youth group to be conscious throughout the next week of when they are judging or gossiping.
   • What does Jesus say about this?
   • What should we be doing instead?