The Good Samaritan
Bible Text: Luke 10:25–37
In a Nutshell: Jesus teaches us to love our neighbors without boundaries.
Big Question: I know my enemy, and I know my neighbor, so how can they be the same person?
Key Words: PRIEST, LEVITE, SAMARITAN, NEIGHBOR
• We are each called to love God and our neighbor.
• God’s love extends beyond religious differences and all human boundaries. We should not place limits on whom we call our “neighbor,” because God does not.
• When we truly love our neighbor, both our words and deeds will reflect our love. Jesus instructs the lawyer—and us—to “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37).
• Loving our neighbor can put us at personal risk and may be costly.
• Jesus’ parable of the good Samaritan probably shocked his audience, since Jews and Samaritans did not associate with each other and were religious enemies.
Adolescent Connection
I know my enemy, and I know my neighbor, so how can they be the same person?
Relating this powerful story to today’s time is critical for a deeper understanding of its meaning. Youth have people that they perceive as their “enemies.” This perception may be based on bullying, rivalry in sports, dating, grades, or one of many other pressures and challenges they face in daily life. Since perception is reality, if they believe someone is an enemy, that’s the way it is. Helping them to understand that going out of their way to help someone they perceive as an enemy is what it is all about.
Anyone can help a friend. It takes the guidance and teachings of Jesus to feel love and compassion for an enemy. Bringing the story home by making it “up close and personal” will help youth to relate and respond in healthy and helpful ways. In this way, they can connect more readily with the story in an emotional way.
The Good Samaritan Student Sheet
