He told his next story to some who were complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people: "Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax man. The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: 'Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man. I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.' "Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, 'God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner.'" Jesus commented, "This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face, but if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself."

Ease 75%, Level 8.3

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and Peace be with you Christ's Soldier!

Today I want you to learn about how to pray. In our story, Jesus gives us an example. It is about some unusual words. Jesus gave us the story of the religious man called a Pharisee who was proud, and the tax-man. The religious man was putting on a show when he prayed. He was using his prayer to show up the tax-man. He was using it to call him names. He wasn't really praying at all, he was bragging. He was full of himself.

The tax man knew he had done some things wrong. He told God he was sorry. He hung his head down because his heart was humble. He knew about humility. That is very important when you confess your sins. It is what God wants. He wants to know you are sorry way down in your heart. We call that contrition.

Jesus told his disciples that the tax-man went home justified... that is he was forgiven by God. The religious man got in trouble with God for showing off.

When you confess you should be very sorry for the things you have done wrong. You shouldn't play around when you are confessing. God will look into your heart and know if you are really serious.

Well, today we got to read this story together and go to Church. Next week I'll send you another by you email. Until then, be good in school and study hard, and may God richly bless you!

Granddaddy

Ease 88%, Level 3.4

LESSON EXERCISES

* Can you name the people in this story, and tell about them?

* In you own words, what do you think this story is about?

* Draw a picture that tells the Gospel story. (You may copy or trace the one on the lesson if you wish.)

* Make up a story (parable) or share a true story that is like our lesson today.

* Sing a song about today's story MY FATHER, HEAR MY PRAYER

Songs for Children

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Notice: This is an open letter to my Grandson Nathan. It is under copyright protection: The Rev. Mark Carroll, MMVI

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