It’s Like This: Stories of the Kingdom of God
Week Three
How do I relate to people who are different than me?
Luke 10:30-37, The Parable of the Good Samaritan
PRAYER & SCRIPTURE
Begin your group with a time of prayer. Here are some prompts.
ONE Ask God to open your minds and hearts to his work in you and in your group.
TWO Ask God to whom you can show comfort.
THREE Ask God to reveal ways you can provide healing to someone else.
Read Luke 10:25-37. It would be helpful to read the context around the parable.
Parable of the Good Samaritan
30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.
33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’
36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
DISCUSSION
Why do you think the expert in religious law asked what he needed to do to inherit eternal life? Is this a concern for most people?
Why do you think the priest and Levite (Temple Assistant) passed by the man on the road?
How are people subject to attacks today?
How can we provide comfort (the oil) to people who are huritng?
How do we help move people toward healing (the wine) and not just comfort?
Who is your neighbor?
How can you “go and do likewise”? How can you be a good neighbor?
Close your time by praying for one another.
