Community Group Questions: March 30th-April 5th
Luke 18:9-14
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Questions:
Doctrine - How we Think
- What does it mean to be "righteous" in the context of Luke 18:9-14?
- How many times does the Pharisee use the word ‘I’ in verses 11-12? What does this reveal?
- Why is comparing ourselves to others a sign of self-righteousness rather than true humility?
Worship - How we Feel
- Do you think this problem of self-righteous people is as much a problem today as it was for the original audience? Explain.
- Read Philippians 2:6-8. Jesus demonstrated his humility by his obedience. How does obedience to God demonstrate our humility as well?
Application - What we Do
- How can we grow in righteousness without becoming self-righteous?
- How can we practice humility without falling into the trap of being “proud of our humility”?
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