Luke 18:9-17
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This is the fourth sermon in our series on God’s Kingdom. This sermon is ‘Your Kingdom Come’'
Questions and going deeper resources
Small group questions
CONNECT: How could you (as a group) help each other pray and not give up?
WARM-UP
- What do you think are the common ways of approaching God? Has your approach changed over time?
- Why do you think ‘virtue signalling’ and ‘humble bragging’ have become such a prevalent practices in our culture? Are you ever tempted to do this? What do you think Jesus would say to this?
- What were Pharisees and Tax Collectors like in the ancient world?
READ Luke 18:9-12
- What was the basis on which the Pharisee approached God? What was the result of this with his horizontal relationships with people and his vertical relationship with God?
- How is the Pharisee confident because of both what he does and what he does not do?
- How do you feel about the Pharisee when you read of his self-righteous behaviour?
Do you think you can ever slip into a ‘merit-based’ approach with God? Why is it perilous? - Do you think you’re ever tempted to be self-righteous? Are there any particular areas in your life in which you find this challenging? (You might even pray this week that God would convict you any areas of self-righteousness.)
- Are you ever tempted to compare yourself to others? Why is this such a dangerous endeavour?
- How does this parable challenge us to abandon fruitless comparisons?
READ Luke 18:13-17
- How does the Tax Collector’s approach to prayer compare to that of the Pharisee?
- Why should we only compare ourselves against God’s standard of holiness? How should that cause us to run to God for mercy?
- On what basis can we approach God with confidence? How does the Tax Collector model this?
- What does it look like to humbly come before God daily like kids? How about on one of your frontlines?
- How does humbling ourselves before God actually result in us being exalted by God?
- How can pride and self-pity both be sides of the same coin?
- What is the significance of this all taking place in the Temple? How did the Temple sacrifices point to the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus was about to fulfil in Jerusalem?
- Are you certain that you have been justified by God and secure in his Kingdom? How can you be?
APPLY: How does humbly seeking God’s mercy shape your relationship with him & others?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you that we can approach you confidently to seek your mercy. Please expose any self-righteousness in us. Please help us to humbly acknowledge our sin and confidently trust in your Son. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Going deeper resources
On Your Frontline This Week: Is work your primary frontline? Meet and pray with other workers at our monthly Work + Faith meeting at Catholic Care, 7-8am Wednesday March 3. Register here: stbarts.com.au/workfaith
Listen, Watch, and Read:
- AUDIO: “Luke 17-18” by Gary Millar
- AUDIO: “Inside-Out Living” by Tim Keller:
- AUDIO: “Gospel Certainty in Luke”:
- AUDIO: “The Successful” by William Taylor:
Series Resources:
Some helpful resources for our Series:
- OUTLINE: for Series with key verses, big ideas, and reflection questions:
https://bit.ly/39w5Ggk - FOR FAMILIES: Download the St Bart’s Kids Lego Devotional Guide: https://bit.ly/2YrP3Mf
- WEBSITE: “Gospel of the Kingdom of God” by the Bible Project: https://bit.ly/2NFP2SJ
- BOOK: “Goldsworthy Trilogy: Gospel & Kingdom, Gospel & Wisdom, the Gospel in Revelation” by Graeme Goldsworthy
- BOOK: “Luke for Everyone” by Tom Wright
- Course: “The Bible Overview” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course).
https://bit.ly/3pGDVH7 (We’ll also be offering this in Term 3 of 2021 at St Bart’s.)
