JESUS STORIES: THE GOOD SAMARITAN
Icebreaker:
- Can you list at least four ways people have been neighborly to you?
Scripture Passage:
Luke 10:25-37
25. On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to
inherit eternal life?” 26. “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27. He answered:
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all
your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” 28. “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do
this and you will live.” 29. But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30. In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of
robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31. A priest
happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
32. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33. But a
Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34. He
went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,
took him to an inn and took care of him. 35. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to
the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense
you may have.’ 36. “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands
of robbers?” 37. The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and
do likewise.“
Students, Questions, Motives
Note:
It is important to note that not every question asked by a questioner is innocent or harmless.
Some questions are sincere while others may be posed to create confusion and/or distrust
among those listening, while others are asked to cover and/or hide an individual’s true nature.
In this story we have a man who appears to be sincere and willing to learn from Jesus (aka
rabbi), and he asks a personal question.
1. What was the man’s question? (vs. 25)
2. Why do you think this question was asked? (was it for informational purposes, self-promotion,
misdirection, a hidden agenda, etc.?)
3. What does Jesus’ response to the man’s question seem to indicate about the man’s
understanding of the Scriptures? (vs. 27)
4. Why do you think the man was not satisfied with Jesus’ answer and followed up with an
additional question regarding the identity of his neighbor? (vs. 25, 29
Today’s Students, Questions, Motives
1. If you were given an opportunity to ask any question of a teacher/preacher today, what would
you like to ask?
2. Thought/Reflection: … no verbal response is being solicited or required … just a personal
introspection ….. motivations ……
Do you really want an answer to the above question? or could you be asking the question to
validate some of your thoughts, prejudices, and or behaviors? Or do you want to direct others
into contrary opinions so you can see the “fireworks” etc.?
3. Have you completed any initial research on the subject of the question you would like to ask? If
so, please describe some the people, things, and or resources you have consulted.
4. If the Bible has provided answers to your question, what additional explanations or
clarifications would you need answered before moving forward?
Who is my “Neighbor?”
Historical Note: The Samaritans embraced a religion that was a combination of Judaism
and idolatry. Because the Israelite inhabitants of Samaria had intermarried with the
foreigners and adopted their idolatrous religion, Samaritans were generally considered
“half-breeds” and were universally despised by the Jews.
Pastor Dave, provided us with a clear contrast between various classes of people and the one who performed neighborly like activities (vs. 30-37)
Compassion with Action:
• Robbers take money, the Samaritan gave of his own money.
• The Priest saw and did nothing, the Samaritan helped transport the wounded.
• Levite fails to bind up his wounds, Samaritan binds up the man’s wounds and puts
oil on them.
The Samaritan has compassion and follows-through with action.
1. What do you think Jesus wanted his audience to do in response to this story?
2. Have you ever helped a complete stranger? If so, how did you help? If not, why not?
3. Why is it easier to love the world and give to a needed cause than it is to actually love, serve
and get to know our real next-door neighbor?
4. Describe the obstacles you would have to personally overcome in becoming a neighbor to those you know, verses a stranger.
5. What steps can you take today to start the journey of becoming the neighbor God wants you
be?