Sharing your Faith
On Mission
Ps David Jones
Aim
To help people understand who their neighbour is and to reach out with the compassion of the lord that has filled our hearts.
Use parts of this study that best work for your group and have fun JESUS people
Discussion Time
Question
Who is our neighbour?
Sort Answer
This discussion is all about working out who our neighbour is and how we can make a difference in their life.
Read Scripture / Discussion
Luke 10: 25 – 37 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
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’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’[b]”
You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?”
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. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 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. The next day he took out two denarii[c] 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.’
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus made this story up in direct response to the question from the teacher of the law who was trying to justify himself. Often Jesus world tell parables to his disciples or those listening to him. To highlight important kingdom culture and relay the heart and the will of his Father.
Characters in this story
Leader – Take some time to discuss each character and how they fit into what God is telling us through his word.
The traveller
Man going from Jerusalem to Jericho vs 30
People seldom travelled this road alone as this stretch of road was known as the bloody road and was dangerous. Defiantly safety in numbers and people who choose to travelled it did so in convoys or caravans. Not a place to be carrying valuables or to be seen carrying anything worth taking. This man perhaps had no one to blame but himself for coming under attack and being left for dead. He should not have been there alone. Jesus was making it clear! We must reach to help a person in need even when they have brought trouble for themselves.
Discussions
Discuss the following three characters in this story and their response to the traveller left to die on the road.
Leaders note
Focus more on the positive response of the Samaritan and how we too can respond like him. The response of the Samaritan is a shining example for us.
The priest
Luke 10: 31
A priest was not to touch anything unclean or something dead, they would become unclean for seven days
[Numbers 19:11] He would not be able to perform priestly duties. Often priests were more interested in looking Godly, rather than living like God. It is important for us not to see people as unclean or get caught up in religion that walks past people in real need.
The Levite
Motto is “safety first”
Reaching out to people is risky and you may get hurt or disappointed. This takes us out of our comfort and safety zone. The Levite did not stop and in fact crossed the road to not be inconvenienced by this opportunity. If we are all honest, we have all responded in such a way.
Read again and discuss
Luke 10: 31-32
A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
The Samaritan
This person was a regular visitor to the inn and clearly had good credit with the Inn keeper showing he was a man of charter. Compassion was already in the heart of the Samaritan, and he responded without hesitation. We often respond out of who we are on the inside.
Quote
Compassion is fuelled by empathy, a sense of walking in someone else’s shoes
Quote - Paul Scanlon says, “Compassion increases when we help others and forget about ourselves. The resulting condition is called Christianity”
Discussion question
Who is your Neighbour?
Short Answer
Our neighbour is anyone, of any racial background and anyone in need.
Leader Application
Ask each person in the group to identify one person in their own personal world who is a neighbour in need.
Question
In what way can you extend God’s amazing compassion to this neighbour?
Conclusion
Let us not be like the priest or the Levite that crossed to the other side of the road to avoid a person in need. Jesus said to the teacher of the law, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? “The teacher replied, “the one who showed mercy” or “The one who showed compassion.”
Scripture - Colossians 3:9 “Clothe yourselves with compassion…….”
Jesus Said, “Go and do likewise”
Comments