20th Sunday after Pentecost Luke 18:9-14

This is one of Jesus’ most vivid parables. He paints a dramatic picture of two figures, with a twist to upend his hearer’s expectations. While the context of this passage involves the dynamics of an ancient society unlike ours, Jesus’ teaching couldn’t be more applicable.

This guide will use ESV for quotations, unless noted otherwise.

1. How successfully were you able to see this parable from the point of view of Jesus' hearers? How does it change your perspective to think of the Pharisee as possibly the person seen as the "good guy" by default and the tax collector as the "bad guy"?

2. Jesus says that only the tax collector went home justified. Why? What is it about the different attitudes that Jesus wants us to pay attention to?

3. What are some ways people in the church might fall into the Pharisee's trap? What might be some ways you might have done so yourself?

4. What is correct humility and confession and when does it become a trap of its own? Have you ever seen this in yourself?

5. What might be some ways in which looking like…