26 October 2025
Bible readings for today
Liturgical colour: GREEN |
CollectE Īhu tō mātou Ariki,
nāu mātou i ako i tīmata te whakawā ki te whare o te Atua; whakaorangia mātou mai i te kiri manawa reka, te kakī maro me te mahi kino hoki, kia pai ai tā mātou tū, ā, pakari noa ki te mahi i tāu e tika ana; mō te korōria o tōu ingoa tapu. Āmine. Jesus our Lord, you have taught us that judgement begins at the house of God; save us from our self-satisfaction, rigidity and corruption, so that we may stand ready to do your will; for the glory of your holy name. Amen. |
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)
Input for leadersKeep in mind, humility isn’t thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less. And specifically in this story, it’s knowing that we all need God because we’ve all messed up. [Crossroads Kids Club]
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Gospel Conversations 2025: The team focus on the short and deceptively simple parable of the pharisee and tax collector at prayer. Is it just a straightforward lesson about pride? Or is there more going on?
Gospel Conversations 2022: Here's a parable that faces us with both our own tendency to judgement, and God's abundant mercy.
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Intergenerational worship
Ordinary Time Year C 2025 Part 2 Intergenerational Worship Series
(Angela Blundell, Auckland Dio Intergenerational Ministry) This resource has 8 weeks of worship ideas to help your community connect to God and each other through worship, sharing and creativity. 27th Sunday Ordinary Time to Reign of Christ Sunday 
A collection of resources and ideas (Intergen Australia)
Written and compiled by Chris Barras. Bible references: 2 Timothy, Luke, Psalms. Children's TalksThe pharisee and the tax collector (Flame Creative) - a lovely all age talk.
Two people who prayed (Gary Neal Hansen) The pharisee and the tax collector (Ministry to Children) - Full lesson plan - includes some great visual illustrations. Headed for a Fall! (Sermons 4 Kids) - A simple talk using blocks. Parable of the two pray-ers (RFour) - knowing when we need help. The pharisee and the publican (Christianity Cove) - an object lesson with balloons. Being ourselves
In today’s story, Jesus talked about two people, a Pharisee and a Tax Collector who went to the temple to pray. They prayed quite different prayers, didn’t they? What were some of the differences you noticed between their prayers? (Pause for discussion) Well, the difference that I want to talk about today is that the Pharisee was comparing himself to the tax collector to show God how much better that the tax collector he was. But the tax collector was more concerned with getting his relationship with God right first. How many of you have something that you are good at? Like playing soccer, or drawing or anything? (Pause for answers). Well, how do you know you are good at that thing? (Pause) Sometimes, to help me get a better idea about how I am doing, I compare how well I do something; to how well my friends do that something. This is ok, but if I end up spending too much time comparing myself to other people, I will end up feeling bad about myself. You see, there will always be people that are better at you in some areas, and worse than you in other areas. But the one thing that we can all be the best at is being ourselves. You are special because God made you unique. There is no one else in the world that can be better at being you than you can. God isn’t worried about how good you are in comparison to other people. God is concerned about whether you are being the best you that you can be. And that means being honest about the things that are bad as well as the things that are good. That way, you can learn about how to be the person that God made you to be. Questions to think about
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Games & Activities
Why not revisit some of your groups favourite prayer activities from the year? Or explore some new prayer activities? Lots of ideas here. Preschool PlayKey ideas - God loves a humble heart that asks for help, rather than a proud heart that thinks it’s perfect.
Tell the story - try some ideas from the following...
Prayer Hearts Table - paper hearts, crayons, and stickers. Children can decorate a heart and draw or scribble something they’d like to ask God for help with. Talk about: What would you like to say to God? When have you needed help? Mirror Station - Put out a large wall mirror (firmly fastened). At the top stick a piece of paper that says "God loves me, and He listens when I ask for help.” Grab some whiteboard pens and invite kids to draw what God sees in their hearts on the mirror. Talk about how God cares about what’s in our hearts more than just what we do on the outside. Playdough Prayers - Have playdough for kids to shape hearts, praying hands, or people. Talk about - things they’d like to ask God for help with as they create. Block Temple - Provide blocks or Duplo to build a “temple” or “church.” Add toy people for children to imagine coming to talk to God. Talk about how we can talk to God in special places (e,g, church) but we can also talk to God anywhere. What would you like to say to God right now? Pray it!This duplo prayer activity (Godventure) would be an easy one to tie in with todays story and offers a way for kids who aren't confident praying out loud to be involved.
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Media
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You can also download this video from Max 7
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