Do we need God to be good?

Before starting study and discussion:
Spend some time praying for those who have visited so far over the series, and also those who may come to our final week and Alpha. Share any opportunities to invite that your group might have over the next week.

Optional Opening Questions

• What does it mean to be “good” in today’s world?

• How do people measure goodness today?

Read Luke 18:9-14

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

  1. What are the differences in how the Pharisee and the tax collector approach God?

  2. What does each person’s prayer reveal about their heart?

  3. Why does Jesus say the tax collector goes home justified and not the Pharisee?

  4. How does trying to be “good” on our own terms often lead to pride, insecurity/people pleasing, or judgment of others?

  5. What types of people do you find yourself tempted to look down on or judge? What does this show about where you are finding your own value?


    Read: Romans 3:23-24

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Split into 3 groups: Have each group discuss how understanding grace would reduce ONE of the following tendencies then report back to the group.
a) Pride
b) Insecurity/ People pleaseing
c) judging or looking down on others

Application:
What is one area of your life that you would like to experience the freedom that ocmes from knowing grace?

Prayer
Spend time sharing prayer points and praying for one another.