Luke 18:9-14 - The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Luke 18:9-14 - The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

     1. How does it feel to be in the presence of someone markedly better than you at what you do best?

     2. How does our society regard the quality of humility?

     3. Why did Jesus tell this parable? (18:9)

     4. What did the Pharisee do? (18:11)

     5. What motivated the Pharisee to pray? (18:11)

     6. How did the Pharisee pray? (18:11-12)

     7. Why did the tax collector stand at a distance? (18:13)

     8. How did the tax collector pray? (18:13)

     9. What difference did it make how these men prayed? (18:14)

     10. What principle did Jesus stress? (18:14)

     11. What reputations did Pharisees and tax collectors have in Bible times?

     12. Who would be examples of "Pharisees" and "tax collectors" in our society today?

     13. How do we judge people according to outward appearances?

     14. How do you approach God in your prayers?

     15. What does this parable teach us about our prayer habits?

     16. In whose righteousness should we have confidence?

     17. Why does God honor the prayers of a humble person?

     18. In what area of your life do you want to combat a tendency to exalt yourself instead of Christ?

Luke 18:1-8 The Persistent Widow

Luke 18:1-8 - The Parable of the Persistent Widow

     1. In what circumstances is persistence beneficial?

     2. What was Jesus' purpose in telling His disciples this parable? (18:1)

     3. How did Jesus describe the judge in the story? (18:2)

     4. Why was the woman in the story especially helpless? (18:3)

     5. How will God's actions differ from those of the unjust judge? (18:7)

     6. How will God's actions differ from those of the unjust judge? (18:7)

     7. What promise does this parable offer to Christians? (18:8)

     8. Why do people stop praying?

     9. What does it mean to be persistent in our prayers?

     10. How can we be sure we are praying for things that are within the will of God?

     11. What justice do you need to see administered in your life or the lives of others?

     12. How can you guard against the temptation to give up praying when you do not see immediate results?

     13. What changes in your daily routine can you make that will enable you to pray more persistently?

     14. For what need or concern will you commit to praying persistently?

5 Prayer Ideas For Small Groups

1. Chain Prayers : Make a circle sitting or standing and join hands. Each person prays and when they have finished they squeeze the hand of the person next to them to start. Silent chains are the same except everyone prays silently.
2. Word Bomb Prayers: After a short time of preparation offer prayers for praise, adoration and thanksgiving. People say at random words and short phrases. Eg. Jesus, Thanks, You are here. I love you Lord... For intercession, mention a person's name or a situation and others pray silently.
3. Prayer emails: Each person comes with a prepared printed prayer written in an email or texting form. Exchange the emails or texts and then pray about the request.
4. Prayer Mountains: Give each person a mountain-shaped card. Explain to the group they are to write on it a 'mountain' they are facing at the moment. When they have finished the leader collects the cards, shuffles and distributes them. Silently each person reads the other person's prayer and prays that God will help with the situation. Then each card is read out pausing after each for quiet prayer. See Matthew 17.20.
5. News Prayers: This approach is used mainly for intercession. People are divided into groups and given newspapers. They look through them underlining or circling main points. Each group then presents their prayer points to everyone which then form the basis for prayer.