CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL – Topic: PRAYERS OF THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN [Church of God Mission International] – SUNDAY 15TH JANUARY, 2023
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CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
SUNDAY 15TH JANUARY, 2023
HYMN: S.S. & S.201 “Spirit Divine Attend Our Prayers”
TOPIC:
PRAYERS OF THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN
TEXT:
LUKE 18:9-14
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
God shows mercy to the humble.
INTRODUCTION:
Prayer is a means of communication between God and man. It is expected that when we come before God in prayer, we drop everything that we are or have and do so in utmost humility. He is God: the one who made us and we owe our all to Him.
In the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, the difference between moral superiority (self-righteousness) and humility is set out. This study aims to encourage believers to avoid putting their trust in a certain form of righteousness that is not obtained by faith on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of this lesson are to:
- distinguish between the Pharisee and the Publican;
- discuss the prayer points of the Pharisee and the Publican;
- identify “issues” with the Pharisee’s Prayers;
- examine how and why the Publican was justified; and
- discuss what we can derive from the Prayer of the Pharisee and the Publican. BIBLE TRUTH:
Q1a. WHO IS A PHARISEE?
The word “Pharisee” refers to a Jewish sect; individually or collectively in the days of Jesus who believed in and laid claim to moral superiority above other Jews. They are characterized by strict interpretation and observance of the Jewish law and tradition. Their pride and boast was not in having close association with “sinners” (those who observed and practiced the law like them). In today’s contemporary time, this can refer to any self-righteous person or believer who thinks, believes and acts as though he or she is more righteous or better placed in God’s reckoning than the other believer by his/her deeds other than the finished work of Jesus on the cross.
Q1b. WHO IS A PUBLICAN?
A Publican was an officer of the government charged with the duties of collecting taxes and overseeing building projects. They were often looked upon with contempt and considered to be dishonest (Luke 18:10).
Q2a. WHAT WERE THE PRAYER POINTS OF THE PHARISEE? (Luke 18:11-12, Eph. 2:8-9)
Apparently, the Pharisee had no prayer point. His main concern it appears was to come before God and show how righteous he was. In all of his statement, he did not acknowledge God, or present any request to Him. Rather, he told God how good and holy he was in comparison to the Publican. In no way did his prayers portray any element of the ideal prayer given by our Lord Jesus Christ in Matt 6:9-13. He even has the time to cast aspersions on the character and person of the Publican while not seeing his vainness and emptiness. His prayer reflects a mind, soul and spirit that was presumptuous, “I am not as other men are…unjust…”, in need of washing and healing. A case of not removing the plank in one’s eyes while looking at the speck in another person’s eyes (Matt. 7:3-4).
Q2b. WHAT WAS THE PRAYER OF THE PUBLICAN? (Luke 18:13)
The Publican prayed with a deep sense of humility (“he would not even look up to Heaven”). He acknowledged that he was a sinner and asked the Lord for mercy. In the reckoning of the Lord Jesus, the Publican was justified by his attitude in prayer and the prayer he prayed.
Q3. IDENTIFY “ISSUES” WITH THE PHARISEE’S PRAYER. Prov. 11:2; 16:18;29:23;1 Jn. 2;16)
The Pharisee seemed to have forgotten that he was standing before the Lord God God his Maker and Creator. He allowed his heart to be surfeited with pride and arrogance based on his outward deeds of fasting twice a week and paying his tithe. This manifested in his language and attitude in the place of prayer.
He reckoned more with the “righteousness” obtained by works if any, forgetting, ‘that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ’ (Gal. 2:16; Rom.3:20).
He put himself in spiritual evaluation with the Publican. He failed to realize that he was himself up to be regarded as “not wise” in the sight of God. “…But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding” (2 Cor. 10:12 [ESV]).
Q4. HOW AND WHY WAS THE PUBLICAN JUSTIFIED?
According to the nature of his job and person, the Publican can be said to be a sinner -one whose prayer God will not hear (Prov. 15:8). However, he was justified before God because he accepted his true state, and did not try to paint or colour-wash it. He seemed to know that it was only God who could help him handle and deal with the situation. He did not shy away from putting on the garment of humility and asking God for mercy.
The Bible states clearly in Rom. 9:15 that God will show mercy on whom He will show mercy and compassion on whom He will show compassion. In this case, the Lord Jesus exercised His divine prerogative to show mercy on the Publican and declared him “Justified” not by his deeds but by his faith. God rewarded the simple act of humility and faith of the Publican.
Q5. WHAT LESSONS CAN WE DERIVE FROM THE PRAYER OF THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN?
We can truly derive many lessons from this study. Without humility, it is impossible to approach God and get anything from Him. God resists the proud and gives more grace to the humble ( James 4:6-8). Humility before God is a key ingredient if our prayers are to be answered. We must drop every toga (garment) of arrogance and pride in our dealings with God. Our seemingly good deeds are not what justifies us before God, but rather simple faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. We must quit trying to look at other people to measure ourselves. We are each unique before God. God is the one who justifies us.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
The need for prayer is paramount in the life of every believer. However , it is required that when we come before God to pray , we do so in utmost humility devoid of any form of arrogance or pride. God is more interested on who we are, ‘on the inside’ than outward show of display. It is expected that from this lesson, we have learnt that God does not reckon with us comparing ourselves with ourselves. The only one we should measure ourselves with is our Lord Jesus Christ who took on a form of humility. God indeed is not interested in show-off; if any, let Him be the one to advertise us as He did with Job.
MEMORY VERSE: James 4:6
“But He giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud but giveth grace unto the humble.”
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