Open The Gospel – 26 October: Last Sunday After Trinity, Luke 18.9-14

26 October: Last Sunday After Trinity, Luke 18.9-14

Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: ¹⁰‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. ¹¹The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. ¹²I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” ¹³But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” ¹⁴I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.

Things to think about with the child at the centre:

Activities

Fold an A4 piece of paper in half – on one side write or draw the things that you are good at. On the other side write or draw things that someone you know is good at. Talk to someone about what makes them good at these things, and why you admire them.

Response

Everyone is good at something – I wonder what you are good at?

Its important to know what we’re good at, and to be thankful to God for the skills and abilities that God has given us.

But that doesn’t mean its ok for us to brag and show off about it – or to judge people who don’t have those same qualities.

The man in this parable does just that – and what’s worse he does it about his faith and place in the church community!

Meanwhile, the other man, the tax collector, knew that he wasn’t good at everything. In fact he know that lots of things he did wouldn’t make God happy. Even so, he still came and prayed before God.

Jesus says that this man, the one who didn’t brag, is the one God will respond to.