Luke 10:25-37

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

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 was attacked by 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, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii 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.”

Pondering Point

Re-read and re-learn this story, this parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10. Notice any details you have overlooked or glossed over in the past. Let God speak to you through them. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in the way you're living your life currently. Don't simply stop with the thought that "I know this story" and then skip it. The Lord speaks through His word at all times and in all places; the question is: Are you listening"

Prayer Prompt

Let God lead you in a mental conversation about your neighbors. Take notes of who and where – maybe why; consider the implications for action and be ready to share those notes with a few fellow Christians.

Hook Questions

Use these questions with your group when you are using Bible stories as central to your time together.

1. Share a recent experience of someone doing something
   neighborly for you. 
   
2. Also share how you reacted.

Bible Storying's Core Questions

1. What did you like (or learn new) about the story?
   
2. What did you not like (or not understand) about it?
   
3. What are the various people doing in the story? With whom do you identify within the story?
   
4. What is God doing in the story?
   
5. What might God be asking of you triggered by this story? How is He challenging you?

Remember: A great way to get God’s stories to stick with you is telling them to other people.