Video - NT: The pharisee and the tax collector - Heavenly appeals

Watch this Youtube video to complement your programme on the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector

A YouTube video called ‘Heavenly appeals' provides a fun way to reflect on the Bible story of Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and tax collector praying in the temple.

The video features an angelic figure sitting on a cloud by the gates of heaven. A sinner with a big chain on his legs comes and asks to be let in. The angelic figure teases him, laughs at him, and even hits him. Eventually, the angel falls from his cloud and is saved by the sinner who catches him. But instead of thanking him, the angel throws the sinner off the cliff, causing him to fall. To his surprise, the sinner transforms into an angel, while the angel loses his wings and becomes a sinner.

This animation is very funny, but it is up to you to decide whether it is appropriate for your children's activities.

This activity is part of a complete Sunday school lesson on the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18: 9-14

Why is this video relevant to today's Bible story?

 The video tells the same parable: the Pharisee who thinks he knows who can and cannot come to God and the tax collector who sees himself as a sinner. In the end, the tax collector is forgiven and allowed to come close to God, while the Pharisee is not.

Important questions:

 It is important to always watch the video yourself beforehand and ask yourself:

• Do I want to show this to the children?
• Does this video fit within the context and age group of the children I am working with?

If you choose to use this YouTube video within children's work, we suggest the following steps: