Can I Ever Be Good Enough?
Series: Kingdom Stories for Everyday Life
Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

A Pharisee
• Psalm 18:20-24
• Sees _________________ as the _____________ of each sentence.
• Thinks his _______________ is securely _____________ in his own _______________ and attitudes.

A Tax-Collector
• Psalm 51
_________________ is the subject.
• He compared himself to the __________________ of God.
• He saw himself as a sinner, ____________________ on what God _______________.

We can _________________ nothing but our ___________________ on God’s __________________.

A proper orientation in prayer will always change us:
• into people with ________________ and grateful hearts.
• into people who __________ ___________ about being recognized.
• into people who __________ ___________ about __________ God and others.
• into __________________ of Jesus.

A Christian is someone who has been and is being _____________ by the ______________ of the Gospel, as they turn away from sin and _______________ Jesus for ________________ mercy.

Our Mission: ____________ and ____________ Christlike _____________.

TALK IT OVER

Start talking.
• When you hear the word humility, what comes to mind?
• Have you ever caught yourself comparing your faith or behavior to someone else’s? What did that reveal about your heart?

Start thinking:
• Why do you think Jesus chose a Pharisee and a tax collector as the characters in this story?
• What stands out to you about the Pharisee’s prayer? What does it reveal about his view of himself and of God?
• The Pharisee’s statements about his behavior were largely true. Why wasn’t his prayer pleasing to God?
• What’s different about the posture and prayer of the tax collector?
• Why do you think Jesus says the tax collector went home justified rather than the Pharisee?
• What does this parable teach us about the difference between self-righteousness and dependence on God’s mercy?

Start Sharing:
• In what ways can self-righteousness subtly show up in our lives today?
• Have you ever experienced a moment when you realized how deeply you needed God’s mercy?
• Which prayer do you think your life most closely resembles right now—the Pharisee’s or the tax collector’s?
• How does remembering God’s grace help us avoid judging others?

Start Praying:
• Ask God to reveal any pride or self-righteousness in your heart.
• Thank God for the mercy He offers through Jesus.
• Pray for a humble heart that continually depends on God’s grace.
• Ask God to help you see others with compassion instead of comparison.

Start Doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week
• Daily practice praying the tax collector’s prayer: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”
• When you catch yourself comparing your faith to someone else’s, pause and thank God for His grace in your life.
• Look for an opportunity this week to extend grace and kindness to someone you might normally overlook.
• Spend time reflecting on how God is continuing to change you through His mercy.