Saturday's Scripture Story
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
Luke 18:9-14
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Pondering Point
Although you may know this story, go through it again. Read it. Listen to it audibly (smartphone or computer). Note what captures your attention and ask God the Father about it.
For instance, one thing that I noted is that while in His prayer time, the pharisee is paying attention to other people (and not in such a way as to pray for them).
That is how the tax collector is brought into the story, the one who was off "at a distance." What does your mind or heart gravitate toward in the story? Share it with the Lord -- and maybe somebody else.
Prayer
Father God, I thank You that I am not like that pharisee who compares himself favorably with other people— no God strike that thought, it sounds just like the pharisee. Instead, I borrow words from the tax collector who stood at a distance – God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Knowing that Your mercy through Jesus Christ my Lord, thank You for the forgiveness wrought for me through the cross. Amen.
Hook Questions
Use these questions with your group when you are using Bible stories as central piece to your time together:
- Share one of your favorite bible stories and Why.
Bible Storying’s Core Questions
- What did you like (or learn new) about the story?
- What did you not like (or not understand) about it?
- What are the various people doing in the story? With whom do you identify within the story?
- What is God doing in the story?
- What might God be asking of you triggered by this
story? How is he challenging you?
A great way to get God’s stories to stick with you is telling them to other people.