session essentials - st. john the evangelist · jesus tells about the prayers of two men: a...

session essentials

1

P r ima r y

© 2016 Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.ChurchPublishing.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

30 th Sunday i n O r d i n a r y T ime – C

Living the Good News | Primary | 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time – C

Helps for Catechists ◆ More About Today’s Scriptures◆ Reflection◆ The Scriptures and the Catechism◆ What’s a Learning Style◆ The World of the Bible: Pharisees

Enrichment◆ Welcome the Good News◆ Singing Together◆ Sponge-Print Prayers (newspapers,

paper towels, foil trays, paint, sponges, clothespins)

◆ Story-Review Games◆ Info: Discipline without Labels◆ Info: Where You’ll Find Everything

Else

Core Session◆ Getting Started◆ Gospel Story: The Pharisee

and the Tax Collector (Pharisee-and-Tax-Collector Mini-Poster, pipe cleaners/chenille stems)

◆ Sorry Slips (matches for catechists only)

◆ Praying Together

Our strongest prayers are offered with humility.◆ Jesus tells about the prayers of two men: a Pharisee, a respected teacher and a tax collector,

a despised traitor.◆ For children, we affirm that God hears all our prayers, and always forgives us

right away.◆ Today’s session invites children to explore Jesus’ story through discussion, reflection

and games.

Open before GodScriptureLuke 18:9-14

Question of the WeekWhen have you felt you prayed like the Pharisee? like the tax collector?

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Getting Started (5-15 minutes)Children discuss forgiveness and prayer. Sit together in a circle. Discuss:◆ What does it mean to forgive?◆ How does it feel when you forgive someone?◆ When do we need people to forgive us?◆ How does it feel when someone forgives you?

Say aloud these words from the Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our sins (or trespasses), as we forgive others.” You could also say aloud the Kyrie: “Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.”

Discuss:◆ Sometimes in church we ask God to forgive us.

When do we need God to forgive us?◆ God always hears our prayers. God forgives us right

away when we are sorry.◆ How does it feel to know that God always hears us?

forgives us?

Gospel Story (5–10 minutes)The Pharisee and the Tax CollectorBefore the session print the Pharisee-and-Tax-Collector Mini-Poster, attached to this document. Use this, when appropriate, as you tell today’s story.

Story Focus: Distribute pipe cleaners (chenille stems) to the children. Invite them to create simple wire figures of people praying. Encourage them to make many different kinds of figures: kneeling, sitting, standing, even lying down or jumping! Ask them to make a display of them in the storytelling area. Acknowledge the many different ways that people pray, then explain that today’s story is about two men who prayed in very different ways.

This is a story Jesus told his disciples.

Once two men went up to the temple to pray. The first man was a Pharisee who tried very hard to keep God’s law. The second man was a tax collector, who had cheated many people out of their money.

The Pharisee stood up, spread out his arms, and prayed, “God, thank you that I am not like everyone else. Thank you that I keep your law so well. I’m not greedy, like that tax collector over there. I don’t cheat people. I don’t lie to you or to my wife.”

The Pharisee felt happier and happier as he thought of what a good man he was. He prayed again, “Two

days a week I go without food to show how much I love you, Lord. And I give a tenth of all my money to the temple.”

Now the tax collector was praying, too, but he did not feel happy. He did not dare raise up his eyes. He could only look at the ground. He even hit himself on the chest again and again, wishing he could drive out his sadness.

“Lord,” the tax collector said—and he could barely hear his own voice—“Lord, I am a sinner. Have mercy on me. Lord, I have done wrong. Forgive me.” And this is all he could pray, again and again.

Jesus told this story to his disciples. Then he looked at them and said, “The tax collector went home right with God—and the Pharisee did not.”

Sorry Slips (5-15 minutes)Activity Soundtrack: Play “Simple Gifts.” (Open your Fall-C Seasonal Resources folder, then click on Companion Music for options on obtaining this music.)

Help children experience the generous nature of God’s forgiveness. Give each a slip of paper and a pencil. Say:◆ Think of something you have done that you feel

sorry about. You don’t have to tell anyone what you are thinking.

◆ Write or draw what you have done on the slip of paper. No one else will see what you write or draw.

◆ Fold the paper and glue it closed. (Show this process to the children.)

Collect the envelopes in the metal wastebasket. Tell the children that God already forgives what they have done; God throws it away and forgets it forever. If possible, light a match and burn the papers in the basket.

Praying Together (5 minutes)Ask the children what each one of them would like to say to God this morning. Give time for each child’s response, then close with your own spontaneous prayer—perhaps no more than a simple: ◆ Thank you, God, that you always forgive us when

we are sorry. Amen.

Note: Distribute At Home with the Good News to group members (or e-mail it to families after the session).


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Welcome the Good News (5-15 minutes)On page 1 of today’s Welcome the Good News children will find an illustrated discussion starter. You can use the questions to extend the discussion of today’s gospel by asking:◆ When is it hard to say, “I’m sorry”?◆ When is it hard to tell the truth?◆ Who can help us say, “I’m sorry”?◆ Who can help us tell the truth?

Emphasize that these are difficult tasks for both children and grown-ups. It’s always good to know who can help us do difficult things.

On page 2 of Welcome the Good News, children will find a Write Your Own Prayer activity they can do alone or in pairs. Children will also find With Your Family, an activity they can lead at home. Feel free to help them practice this activity in the group!

Singing Together (5-10 minutes)From Singing the Good News, sing together:◆ “Kum Ba Yah” (songbook p. 9)◆ “Keep On Prayin’” (songbook p. 11, also available as

an MP3)

Note: To access both the songbook and its attached MP3 files, open your Fall-C Seasonal Resources folder, then click on Singing the Good News.

Sponge Print Prayers (15-20 minutes)Children use sponge printing to decorate prayers of repentance from the liturgy.

Have ready copies of a prayer for forgiveness. You can adapt a prayer or use such simple phrases as, “Lord, have mercy,” or, from the Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive others.” Cover a work space with newspapers. Make stamp pads by folding paper towels into a thick pad and putting each pad in an aluminum foil tray. Soak the towels with paint.

Ask each child to mount the prayer on a 12" x 18" sheet of construction paper to create a blank border around the prayer. Children decorate the borders by printing designs on them with sponges and paint. Show the children how to use a clothespin to grasp a sponge, dip it into paint, and stamp repeated designs on the paper.

Story-Review Games (10-25 minutes)Children play story-review games.

Who’s Praying? Use masking tape to make a line in the middle of the room, equally distant from two opposite walls. Ask the children to stand on the line. Tape a sign titled Pharisee on one wall and a sign titled tax collector on the opposite wall. (These signs are attached to this document.)

Explain:◆ I am going to pretend to pray.◆ I am either going to pretend to be the tax collector

or the Pharisee.◆ If you think I’m the Pharisee, run to that wall. (Point

to the correct wall).◆ If you think I’m the tax collector, run to that wall.

(Point to the correct wall).

Before you begin, make sure that all the children—including the nonreaders in your group—can tell you which wall is which. Begin by saying one of these phrases:

Pharisee:Thank you, God, that I’m so good.I don’t cheat people.I don’t lie.I give money to God.I’m not like everyone else.


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Tax collector:I’m a sinner.I’ve cheated people.Have mercy, God.Forgive me, God.I’m sorry.

After each phrase, the children run to one wall. If there are disagreements, invite children to explain why they chose the wall that they did. You need not pronounce answers right or wrong; the discussion itself is a valuable activity.

Ask the children to return to the starting line before you read the next phrase. After you have given several examples, invite volunteers to take turns leading the game. Save the signs to use in today’s Bible Skills for Third Graders activity.

Pharisees And Tax Collectors:Ask:◆ What do you think the Pharisee looked like as he

prayed?◆ How did he hold his body?◆ What did his arms look like? his face?

Ask the same questions about the tax collector, encouraging the children to show their answers with their bodies.

Play music and ask children to move around the room to the music. We suggest playing either “Simple Gifts” or “Sage of Lamberéné.” (Open your Fall-C Seasonal Resources folder, then click on Companion Music for options on obtaining this music.)

Whenever you stop the music, each child has to freeze in place, pretending to be either the Pharisee or the tax collector.

Take turns guessing which character each child is playing. Continue play for several minutes, giving everyone the opportunity to play both roles. Ask volunteers to take turns being in charge of the music.

Discipline without LabelsOne of the most powerful ways we can model

forgiveness to primary children is by refusing to label them. Sometimes children hear language that says: ◆ You’re always noisy.◆ Can’t you ever clean up after yourself?◆ I see you’re fighting with Kate again.

Over time, children can internalize these messages and come to believe they have no power to make different choices. We help children see themselves as always able to make new choices when we focus on to the moment, without bringing up past events. This kind of language says:◆ I want quiet now.◆ This table needs to be cleaned up.◆ Our rule is: no yelling, no hitting.

Where You’ll Find Everything Else

◆ Attached to this Session Plan you will find:— Backgrounds and reflections for today’s

readings, titled More about Today’s Scriptures.— A printable version of today’s Gospel Story for

use at home (to distribute or e-mail to families).— A printable Pharisee-and-Tax-Collector

Mini-Poster to be used when telling today’s Gospel Story.

— An optional activity, Bible Skills for Third Graders.

— Two printable Game Signs to use in one of the optional Story-Review Games.

— A family paper, At Home with the Good News, to print and distribute or to e-mail to families for use at home.

◆ Open your Fall-C Seasonal Resources folder, then click on Seasonal Articles to find: — Information on Fall-C’s Models of the Faith. — A set of 12 supplemental activities and handouts

titled Faith Skills for Third Graders, to be used as you wish throughout Fall-C.

— A reproducible handout for parents titled Sharing God’s Word at Home.

— An article for catechists and/or parents exploring The Lectionary and the Church Year.

— A helpful article for catechists explaining how Using Music in Faith Formation enhances religious education.

— The Introduction for Primary for Living the Good News.


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More about Today’s ScripturesToday’s readings define lowliness and celebrate its virtue. The author of Sirach advocates the rights of the humble, the poor and those who acknowledge that true justice comes from God alone. In 2 Timothy, Paul looks forward to the reward of his many humble labors for the faith. In Jesus’ parable in today’s gospel, two men come to pray, but only the humble man leaves justified by God.

Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18The book of Sirach, also called Ecclesiasticus, bears the name of “Jesus son of Eleazar son of Sirach” (50:27), a teacher of Hebrew wisdom and traditions. Sirach, like the book of Proverbs, falls into the category of wisdom literature. It discusses the way to live a righteous life, especially in the areas of relationships, finances, business conduct and personal habits.

In today’s reading, Sirach insists that, though in this life the rich are powerful, God will advocate the rights of the humble and poor. This support is not partiality; it is God’s way of pleading the cause of the weak, evening the scales and establishing justice. This justice is a response to the persistent prayers of the humble, those who serve faithfully but who also understand that true justice comes from God alone.

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18Today’s reading records Paul’s final farewell. He speaks of himself as one whose life is ebbing away, “poured out as a libation” (v. 6). Like a boxer or runner, he has completed his event and guarded the deposit entrusted to him. Wreaths and crowns were worn by Jews as a sign of honor and joy at feasts and weddings; for Greeks they were a sign of a victorious athlete.

The “lion’s mouth” is a common Old Testament metaphor for violent death; thus here it may be used figuratively for the imperial power. Verse 18 seems to echo the Lord’s Prayer. Paul acknowledges that his work is finished, and he looks forward both to God’s reward and Jesus’ return.

Luke 18:9-14The passage about the Pharisee and the tax collector concludes the long section of material (found only in Luke) called by some “the gospel of the outcast” (chaps. 15–18). The Pharisee seems truly thankful. According to the beliefs of the times, he shows an honest and laudable desire to contribute to the coming of the kingdom by fulfilling the law. Indeed, he exceeds the demands of the law.

Fasting was required only once a year on the Day of Atonement. The Pharisees, however, fasted twice weekly, on Mondays and Thursdays. Likewise, the law required a tithe of all produce of grain, fruit and herd. The Pharisee extended his tithe to include all his income.

The tax collector, whose occupation branded him as an extortioner and traitor, knows he has no merits of his own. Using the language of Psalm 51, he throws himself on God’s mercy. It is he who is “justified” (v. 14), that is, accepted, made right with God. This is the only place this verb appears in the gospels using the familiar Pauline meaning.

ReflectionTranspose today’s parable to contemporary churches and the parallel becomes painfully clear. To oversim-plify the scene for dramatic effect, visualize those who wear the vestments, the choir robes, the garments of re-spectability. Their names are engraved on the plaques of Big Donors; their children are altar servers; their phone numbers are listed in the bulletin should anyone need a casserole. They serve on committees where they wield considerable clout. They know the proper responses and when to sit or stand; they sing with assurance.

Then look to the margins of the congregation, at those who arrive too late to get a seat. They are bewildered by songs and prayers in a language not their own; their marriages aren’t sanctioned; they or their children have not been officially enrolled on the church roster. They may lack the courage to come forward for communion; they may feel insecure about their shaky status. From a deep longing, they croak an almost inarticulate prayer. It may sound like a garbled “help.”

To borrow a question from Jesus, “Which one goes home justified?” Perhaps in God’s infinite mercy, both groups do. In her poem “Singapore,” Mary Oliver refers to “the light that can shine out of a life.” Can we see the light in both kinds of lives?


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The Scriptures and the CatechismToday we consider the impact of the basic Christian insight that our God plays no favorites (CCC, #74). Although we believe that we have been called into a special covenant relationship, we also believe that, since there is only one God, God must somehow be the God that all other sincerely religious people are seeking (CCC, #839–48). We can learn to find God by following Jesus’ example and teaching on prayer (CCC, #2599–2615). Through prayer we discover who God is, who we are and how we ought to relate to God.

What’s a Learning Style?Our learning style is our personal window on the world. This style determines how we think, make judgments and experience people and events. From among the many that have been proposed, we can identify three very general styles of learning: ◆ learning by hearing and speaking (auditory style)◆ learning by seeing (visual style)◆ learning by moving and touching (kinesthetic/tactile

style)

Each of us uses all three styles but most of us favor one. Unlike characteristics that change with age or stage of development, our preferred learning style tends to remain constant throughout life. In each session at each age level, Living the Good News includes a range of activities designed to meet the needs of learners with varying styles.

Remember that all ages have preferred learning styles. Bible study need not always be limited to discussion.

In Living the Good News sessions, you will find activities to choose from, as well. If you observe a preferred learning style, you can also make use of that person’s gifts in teaching others. For example, auditory learners might record stories and music for another group.

Even in a small room you can move tables to the corners and set up an activity at each table. Each table or area of the room becomes a “learning center.” Learners can then choose where to work according to their preferred style. You can also encourage learners to “stretch” by trying other learning styles.

The World of the BiblePhariseesMembers of the Pharisee party, a lay group within Judaism, possessed a zeal for Jewish law. They believed that the law of Moses was God’s will for them, and they desired to live it perfectly in every detail.

The Pharisees’ devotion to the law was also the root of their problems. Their religious lifestyle demanded so much that a sense of elitism developed. Their observance of the law not only made them separate (the word Pharisee means “the separate ones”) but hardened their attitude toward those who did not keep the law as completely. Their approach often led to a legalistic concern for outward observance.

The portrait of the Pharisees in the gospels is probably more a reflection of the party’s powerful role in reforming Judaism after the destruction of the temple in 70 CE than its role during the life of Jesus. Strained and broken relations between Christians and Jews may have led the writers of the gospels to portray the Pharisees as a stereotype of the negative response to Christ. The gospels, after all, were catechetical documents written for Christians, to nourish a positive response for following Jesus.

The evangelists are not as interested in the Jewish Pharisees outside the community as they are in pharisaic attitudes inside the community. The evangelists use the Pharisees to show that in each of us lurks the possibilities that led to the pharisaic style of response to Jesus. When we Christians recognize our own tendencies to hypocrisy, elitism, legalism and self-righteousness, then the evangelists will applaud. They want us to identify and deal with the Pharisee in our own hearts.


Fall C

Games Signs

Print the next two pages. Use them to label the walls in the Who’s Praying? Story-Review Game.

©2016 BY MOREHOUSE EDUCATION RESOURCES • ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDPermission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

PR-FC-PR25-DL-A-Game Signs

©2016 BY MOREHOUSE EDUCATION RESOURCES • ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Fall C

Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

Gospel Story:The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Before the session print the Pharisee-and-Tax-Collector Mini-Poster also attached to the session plan. Use this, when appropriate, as you tell today’s story.

Story Focus: Distribute pipe cleaners to the children. Invite them to create simple wire figures of peo-ple praying. Encourage them to make many different kinds of figures: kneeling, sitting, standing, even lying down or jumping! Ask them to make a display of them in the storytelling area. Acknowledge the many different ways that people pray, then explain that today’s story is about two men who prayed in very different ways.

This is a story Jesus told his disciples.

Once two men went up to the temple to pray. The first man was a Pharisee who tried very hard to keep God’s law. The second man was a tax collector, who had cheated many people out of their money.

The Pharisee stood up, spread out his arms, and prayed, “God, thank you that I am not like every-one else. Thank you that I keep your law so well. I’m not greedy, like that tax collector over there. I don’t cheat people. I don’t lie to you or to my wife.”

The Pharisee felt happier and happier as he thought of what a good man he was. He prayed again, “Two days a week I go without food to show how much I love you, Lord. And I give a tenth of all my money to the temple.”

Now the tax collector was praying, too, but he did not feel happy. He did not dare raise up his eyes. He could only look at the ground. He even hit himself on the chest again and again, wishing he could drive out his sadness.

“Lord,” the tax collector said—and he could barely hear his own voice—“Lord, I am a sinner. Have mercy on me. Lord, I have done wrong. Forgive me.” And this is all he could pray, again and again.Jesus told this story to his disciples. Then he looked at them and said, “The tax collector went home right with God—and the Pharisee did not.”

PR-FC-OT30-DL-C-Gospel Story_The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Fall C

Today’s readings define lowliness and celebrate its virtue. The author of Sirach advocates the rights of the humble, the poor and those who acknowledge that true justice comes from God alone. In 2 Timothy, Paul looks forward to the reward of his many humble labors for the faith. In Jesus’ parable in today’s gospel, two men come to pray, but only the humble man leaves justified by God.

Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18

The book of Sirach, also called Ecclesiasticus, bears the name of “Jesus son of Eleazar son of

Sirach” (50:27), a teacher of Hebrew wisdom and traditions. Sirach, like the book of Proverbs, falls into the category of wisdom literature. It discusses the way to live a righteous life, especially in the areas of relationships,

finances, business conduct and personal habits.

In today’s reading, Sirach insists that, though in this life the rich are powerful, God will advocate the rights of the humble and poor. This support is not partiality; it is God’s way of pleading the cause of the weak, evening the scales and estab-lishing justice. This justice is a response to the persistent prayers of the humble, those who serve faithfully but who also understand that true justice comes from God alone.

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

Today’s reading records Paul’s final farewell. He speaks of himself as one whose life is ebbing away, “poured out as a libation” (v. 6). Like a boxer or runner, he has completed his event and guarded the deposit entrusted to him.

Wreaths and crowns were worn by Jews as a sign of honor and joy at feasts and weddings; for Greeks they were a sign of a victorious athlete.

The “lion’s mouth” is a common Old Testament metaphor for violent death; thus here it may be used figuratively for the imperial power. Verse 18 seems to echo the Lord’s Prayer. Paul acknowl-edges that his work is finished, and he looks forward both to God’s reward and Jesus’ return.

Luke 18:9-14

The passage about the Pharisee and the tax collector concludes the long section of material (found only in Luke) called by some “the gospel of the outcast” (chaps. 15–18). The Pharisee seems truly thankful. According to the beliefs of the times, he shows an honest and laudable desire to contribute to the coming of the kingdom by fulfilling the law. Indeed, he exceeds the demands of the law.

Fasting was required only once a year on the Day of Atonement. The Pharisees, however, fasted twice weekly, on Mondays and Thursdays. Likewise, the law required a tithe of all produce of grain, fruit and herd. The Pharisee extended his tithe to include all his income.

The tax collector, whose occupation branded him as an extortioner and traitor, knows he has no merits of his own. Using the language of Psalm 51, he throws himself on God’s mercy. It

More about Today’s Scriptures 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Our problem is how to live what we pray, how to make our lives a daily commentary on our prayer book, how to live in consonance with what we promised, how to keep faith with the vision we pronounce.”

––Rabbi Abraham Heschel

Man’s Quest for God


is he who is “justified” (v. 14), that is, accepted, made right with God. This is the only place this verb appears in the gospels using the familiar Pauline meaning.

ReflectionTranspose today’s parable to contemporary churches and the parallel becomes painfully clear. To oversimplify the scene for dramatic effect, visualize those who wear the vestments, the choir robes, the garments of respectabil-ity. Their names are engraved on the plaques of Big Donors; their children are altar servers; their phone numbers are listed in the bulletin should anyone need a casserole. They serve on committees where they wield considerable clout. They know the proper responses and when to sit or stand; they sing with assurance.

Then look to the margins of the congregation, at those who arrive too late to get a seat. They are bewildered by songs and prayers in a language not their own; their marriages aren’t sanctioned; they or their children have not been officially enrolled on the church roster. They may lack the courage to come forward for communion; they may feel insecure about their shaky status. From a deep longing, they croak an almost inarticulate prayer. It may sound like a garbled “help.”

To borrow a question from Jesus, Which one goes home justified? Perhaps in God’s infinite mercy, both groups do. In her poem “Singapore,” Mary Oliver refers to “the light that can shine out of a life.” Can we see the light in both kinds of lives?

00-FC-OT30-SB-C-More about Today_s Scriptures

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Th

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Each

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Th

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e readings for each

Su

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s how

they relate

to each oth

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Th

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groups did in

their session

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a specific startin

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about w

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learned or

accomplish

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an experien

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introdu

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increase th

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rayerStarter

Th

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at bedtime or w

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ever a family gath

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serve as th

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ords of the

prayer or the prom

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vites others to

participate.

•Parentin

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Health

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g is a skill learned over

time. T

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an

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How

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Brin

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Your Fa

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In th

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th

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ave lon

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interru

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ssion,

this qu

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come u

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, durin

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ait at the drive-in

ban

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Paren

ts can adapt it to th

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interests of th

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•GospelR

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T

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editation on

the gospel lin

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story and ou

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over the gospels regu

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from w

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chu

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Wh

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extended refl

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the readin

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utilize all th

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ave time for on

ly a quick Fam

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Qu

estion or P

arentin

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ll parents w

ill w

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hat th

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did in th

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so they can

discuss it w

ith th

em

afterwards.

Reprodu

ce the pages an

d arrange a system

of distribu

tion so th

at they can

be sent h

ome w

ith

the oldest or you

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chu

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Today’s readings define lowliness and celebrate its virtue. Sirach35:12-14, 16-18 advocates the rights of the humble, the poor and those who acknowledge that true justice comes from God alone. In 2Timothy4:6-8, 16-18, Paul

looks forward to the reward of his many labors for the faith. In Jesus’ parable in Luke18:9-14, two men come to pray but only the humble one leaves justified by God.

Preschool/Kindergarten children drew them-

selves praying, heard the gospel and played a re-

sponse game. They may have decorated a poster

of names for God, created a prayer corner, sung

and danced, participated in roleplays or suggest-

ed prayers for different situations.

Primary(Grades1-3) children discussed forgive-

ness and prayer. They heard about the Pharisee

and the Tax Collector, and experienced the gener-

ous nature of God’s forgiveness through “sorry

slips.” They may have sung, used sponge print-

ing to decorate prayers of repentance or played

story-review games.

Intermediate(Grades4-6) participants consid-

ered which of two unknown men are more likely

to be right with God, then heard the answer from

today’s gospel. They made cartoon posters of the

story. For enrichment, they explored the topic of

pride or read the poem “People at Their Best.”

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time • Year C

Draw pictures of the Pharisee and tax collector, putting them in modern dress, speaking in modern conversations. Create a cartoon balloon for each one’s prayer, putting it in your own words. Have fun doing this art and talk about the parable as you do. Do your children’s insights surprise you?

Transpose today’s parable to contemporary churches and the parallel becomes painfully clear. To oversimplify the scene for dramatic effect, visualize those who wear the vestments, the choir robes, the garments of respectability. Their names are engraved on the plaques of Big Donors; their children are altar servers; their phone numbers are listed in the bulletin should anyone need a casserole. They serve on committees where they wield considerable clout. They know the proper responses and when to sit or stand; they sing with assurance.

Then look to the margins of the congregation, at those who arrive too late to get a seat. They are bewildered by songs and

prayers in a language not their own; their marriages aren’t sanctioned; they or their children have not been officially enrolled on the church roster. They may lack the courage to come forward for communion; they may feel insecure about their shaky status. From a deep longing, they croak an almost inarticulate prayer. It may sound like a garbled “Help.”

To borrow a question from Jesus, Which one goes home justified? Perhaps in God’s infinite mercy, both groups do. In her poem “Singapore,” Mary Oliver refers to “the light that can shine out of a life.” Can we see the light in both kinds of lives?

Taking a cue from today’s gospel, ask the children to lead the prayer. A simple question should get it started:

• What do we want to pray for today?

The false pride of the Pharisee is not the same as the healthy self-esteem we

want to build in our children. Think of it as a bucket: parents may need to fill their

children with so much self-respect that in later years, when other people drop in criticism,

it won’t be devastating. Give your child a genuine compliment today.

When do I sometimes feel like the Pharisee? When do I sometimes feel like the tax collector?

© 2016 Morehouse Education Resources. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce these pages for use in the purchasing congregation only.

Fall C

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector Mini-Poster

(for use when telling today’s Gospel Story)

Print the next page. Use the page, when appropriate, to help illustrate today’s Gospel Story.


PR-FC-PR25-DL-A-The Pharisee and Tax Collector Mini_-_Poster

Fall C

Bible Skills for Third Graders

Third graders unscramble two prayers from today’s gospel story.

Before the session print (preferably on card stock) and cut apart the 20 word cards printed on the next five pages. The first 13 cards together form the first of the prayers from today’s story: I thank you that I am not like that tax collector over there. The final seven cards form the second prayer: God, have pity on me a sinner.

In the session, scramble all the cards together (or keep the two sets separate and scram-ble the cards within each set). Help the children to:

❉❉ Use the Table of Contents in the Bibles to find the Gospel of Luke.

❉❉ Use the chapter and verse numbers to find Luke 18:9-14.

Ask the children to listen as you read aloud the passage. Spread the scrambled cards in front of the children. Explain:

❉❉ The Pharisee’s prayer and the tax collector’s prayer have gotten all mixed up.

❉❉ Can you use your Bibles to unscramble the two prayers?

❉❉ Tape each prayer, in correct order, on the right sign. (Use the signs from today’s optional Story-Review Games. If you did not choose that activity, simply tape up two signs, one labeled Pharisee and one labeled Tax Collector.)

When children have finished taping the prayers in correct order, invite them to read the prayers aloud with you.

I thank

you that

I am

not like

that tax

collector over

there. God,

have pity


on me

a sinner.

PR-FC-PR25-DL-A-Bible Skills for Third Graders

session essentials - st. john the evangelist · jesus tells about the prayers of two men: a...

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