Like a Good Neighbor
Series: Kingdom Stories for Everyday Life
Scripture: Luke 10:30-37; Micah 6:8

2 Questions asked by the lawyer:
What must I do to inherit eternal life?
Who is my neighbor?

The Samaritan:
• had __________________.
• splanchizomai - a sense of pity or sympathy that comes from deep within.
• an act of _____________ motivated by the __________ of another.
• made ________________.
• ________________ sees ________________ and is not undone by the _________________.
• got ________________ with _________________ care that met real needs.
• ____________________ the _________________.

Jesus points to his answer by asking which of the three ___________ to be a neighbor to the wounded man.
• eleos - mercy - - hesed - a faithfulness that results in kindness, mercy, and pity
• Micah 6:8
• _________________ is _____________ of us.
• Our neighbor is _______________ has a ______________.
• The question asking who is a neighbor was not as important as the question to whom __________ was ________________ a neighbor to.

We all must examine our heart and ask the powerful question of “what motivates me?”

TALK IT OVER

Start talking.
• When have you found yourself frustrated by unclear rules or definitions—like the “what’s a catch?” debate?
• Growing up, how did you understand the phrase “love your neighbor”?

Start thinking:
• Why do you think the lawyer wanted Jesus to define who his neighbor was?
• What dangers come with treating faith primarily as rule-keeping instead of heart transformation?
• Why do you think Jesus chose a Samaritan—rather than a “good religious person”—as the hero of the story?
• What does this parable reveal about the difference between knowing the right answer and living the right way?

Start Sharing:
• Which character do you most relate to in this parable right now: the priest, the Levite, or the Samaritan? Why?
• Can you think of a time when convenience, fear, or self-protection kept you from showing mercy?
• What would it look like for you to value mercy over productivity in your daily schedule?
• Where do you sense God challenging your motives—doing the “right thing” versus loving people well?

Start Praying:
• What area of your heart needs to be softened by God’s mercy again?
• How can we better pray to notice needs instead of avoiding them?

God, May I always see the world through the eyes of the Good Samaritan and be filled with your deep compassion. Help me to be a merciful neighbor even when it’s inconvenient, when I don’t have time, or when I have other responsibilities to attend to. Grant me the insight to see the need in those around me, the wisdom to know how to respond, and the strength to do so willingly. Open my eyes, that I might not cross the road from human need but instead may my love of you and love of my neighbor call me to be part of a people of peace and justice in the world. And may I, like the Good Samaritan, always ‘go and do likewise’. Amen

Start Doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week
• Who is someone God may be calling you to show mercy to this week—especially someone inconvenient or unexpected?
• How can you practically “go and do likewise” this week?