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PARABLE: Pharisee and the Tax Collector

 {PARABLE} the Pharisee and the Tax Collector_ 

Luke 18:9-14 

 
Prayer is a kind of litmus test of our relationship with God. Our prayers reveal who and what is most important to us. They expose our inner-most feelings about ourselves and about God. 

 

[Group discussion starter] Think of times when you have been tempted to see yourself as superior to someone else. What dangers do you see in giving in to this temptation? 

 

In this parable we overhear the prayers of two men. Jesus told this story to people “who looked down on everyone else.” It is a parable which speaks against spiritual pride and judgmentalism... 

 
[Read Luke 18:9-14] 

 
How would you retell the story of the two men, using modern characters? 

 
Put yourself in the Pharisee’s place. What would this experience of seeing yourself as superior feel like? 

 
The Pharisee addresses God, but to what extent does God occupy his attention? 
Explain. 

 
What do verses 11-12 reveal about how the Pharisee sees himself? 

What does this reveal about his attitude toward God? 

 

 
How often does the Pharisee compare himself with others (verse 11)? 

 

 
How does it affect you when you compare yourself with those you look down on? 

 
Put yourself in the Tax Collector’s place. What do you imagine he is thinking and feeling? 

 

 
[Activity] How does the way the Tax Collector views himself (verse 13) contrast with how the Pharisee views himself? 

 

 

 

 
Notice the positions, postures and gestures of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. What conclusions can we draw from these contrasts in their body language? 

 

 
In the first century, Pharisees were viewed with great respect, while Tax Collectors were despised as traitors. Why then was the Tax Collector justified rather than the Pharisee (verse 14)? 

 

 
In what ways are we tempted to feel spiritually superior to others today? 

 

 
What, in your experience, is the relationship between awareness of our need for God’s mercy and genuine humility? 

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