Lesson 4: The pharisee and the tax collector.

Written By Jeremy Duncan

Passage: Luke 18:9-14 - Jesus tells a parable about a Pharisee and a tax collector. The Pharisee prays to God thanking God that he is a good person, while the tax collector prays for forgiveness. Jesus says that it is the tax collector who is right before God, and that everyone who exalts themselves will be humbled while those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Big Idea: God loves a humble heart.

For Teachers:

  • Welcome — Activity Leader

    Have the children sit on the circle time rug. Introduce yourself and ask the kids about their week.

    Warm Up Activity — Activity Leader

    Bug in a Rug game

    1) Have children sit in a circle and select a ‘guesser'.
    2) The guesser then goes over to the corner and covers their eyes.
    3) Choose one child to be the 'bug' and get them to sit in the centre of the group, under the blanket.
    4) The guesser, then surveys the group to try to remember who is missing and takes a guess at who the bug is - they can guess until the are correct and then the game starts all over again.


    Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader

    Today we're going to be learning about another one of Jesus' stories and what big lesson we can learn from it. This story is about two people who prayed to God.

    Let's watch our video to find out more...

    Play Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader

    Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader

    • Can you remember what the two people in the story were praying about?

    • Do you think that the Pharisee/religious person thought that he was better than the tax collector? Why? Do you think that’s true?

    • Do you think that everyone makes mistakes sometimes? What should we do when we make a mistake?

    Prayer — Bible Story Leader

    Dear God, thank you for the story we learned about today and for loving us even when we make mistakes. We know that everyone makes mistakes sometimes and it's important to say sorry and ask for forgiveness. It's also important to forgive others too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

    Activity: — Activity Leader

    Fall wreath - using the craft supplies provided create a fall wreath.

    If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them them move to free play.

    Dismissal: Check roster iPad and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.

  • Welcome — Activity Leader and Bible Story Leader

    Have the children sit near the TV. Introduce yourself and ask about their week.

    Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader

    Pterodactyl Game!
    1) Participants sit in a circle and one player starts the game. They cover their teeth with their lips by curling them into their mouth and must say to the person next to them "Pterodactyl". If they laugh or smile while they are doing it, they are eliminated.
    2) It does not matter if the person they are addressing smiles, it is the person who is saying it that is eliminated if they smile/laugh.
    3) Then the person they said it to would turn to the player on their other side and say it, and so on until everyone has had the opportunity to say it. If you have a smaller group you can keep going around the circle until you have a winner, but with a bigger group you should start over and play another round.

    Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader

    Today we're going to be learning about another one of Jesus' stories and what important lesson we can learn from it. This story is about two people who prayed to God.

    Let's watch our video to find out more...

    Play Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader

    Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader

    • Can you remember who the two people in the story were and what they were praying to God about?

    • Which of them was God the most happy with? Why do you think that is?

    • Do you think that the Pharisee/religious person thought that he was better than the tax collector? Why?

    • Do you think that everyone makes mistakes sometimes? What should we do when we make a mistake?

    Prayer — Bible Story Leader

    Dear God, thank you for the story we learned about today and how it teaches us that you love us no matter what, even when we make mistakes. Please help us to not think that we are better than others, but to remember that everyone makes mistakes sometimes, even us. Thank you that you always forgive us and help us to forgive others too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

    Activity: — Activity Leader

    Fall Wreaths - Create a fun fall wreath with the supplies provided.

    Dismissal: Make sure all children are checked out using the iPad roster and leave with a care-giver with the matching Pick- up code listed.

  • Welcome — Activity Leader

    Have the children sit in the pillow area. Introduce yourself and ask the kids about their week.

    Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader

    Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader

    Today we'll be learning about another one of Jesus' parables, which he told his followers to teach them important lessons about God.

    Today's story is about a Pharisee and a Tax Collector.

    • Does anyone know what a Pharisee is? (a religious leader in Jesus’ time)

    • Does anyone know what a tax collector is? (in Jesus' time, tax collectors had a bad reputation for stealing money from the people)

    Let's watch our video to find out more about the story...

    Play Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader

    Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader

    • What were the Pharisee and the Tax Collector praying about in the story? What do you think their prayers tell us about them?

    • Which of the two did Jesus say went home right with God that day? Why do you think that is?

    • What do you think is easier for you — admitting when you’ve done something wrong and asking for forgiveness? Or, forgiving someone else when they’ve done something wrong?

    Prayer — Bible Story Leader

    Dear God, thank you that you love us no matter what - when we do the right things and when we make mistakes. Help us to remember that nobody is perfect and everyone needs forgiveness sometimes. May we always be humble before you like the tax collector in the story. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

    Activity - Activity Leader

    Fall Wreaths - Create a fun fall wreath with the supplies provided.

    Dismissal: Make sure all children are checked out using the iPad roster and leave with a care-giver with the matching Pick- up code listed.

For Parents:

    • What was the story that you learned about in class today?

    • What were the two people in the story praying about?

    • Do you think that God forgives us and loves us even when we make mistakes?

    • What was the story you learned about in class today?

    • Who were the two people in the story and what were they each praying about?

    • Have you ever had to ask for forgiveness before? Have you had to forgive someone else? Parents could share an example of asking for forgiveness from their own lives.

    • What was the story you learned about in class today?

    • Who were the two people in the story and what were they doing?

    • Which of the two prayers did Jesus say God was most happy with? Why?

    • Do you find it easy or hard to not judge others when they make mistakes? Have you ever felt judged before?

    • Parents could share an example of asking for forgiveness from their own lives.

Jeremy Duncan
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Lesson 5: The lost sheep.
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Lesson 3: The mustard seed and yeast.