Who is my neighbor?

Today we continue our Upside Down Kingdom series with one of Jesus' most familiar parables - the Good Samaritan. Jesus tells this story to answer a much deeper question than, "Who is my neighbor?” Let's discover how this parable exposes our tendency to justify ourselves, reveals the surprising mercy of Christ, and invites us to see and love the neighbors God has already placed along our path.

Luke 10:25-37

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall 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 your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

For Adult Homes and Groups

1. Reread Luke 10:25-37. Who is someone God has placed in your life that is difficult or different for you to love, and why do you think that is?

2. How does the lawyer’s desire to justify himself reveal our own tendency to limit who we consider our neighbor?

3. How does this parable point us to Jesus as the One who fulfilled the Law and came near to us in our helplessness?

4. What is one practical way you can make room this week to love the neighbor God has already placed along your path?

For Families with Kids

1. Read Luke 10:25-37 as a family. Is there someone it is hard to be kind to at school, on your team, or in your neighborhood? Why?

2. How has Jesus been like the Good Samaritan by loving and helping us when we needed Him?

3. Who is one person you can show kindness to this week? What could you do for them?

4. Why do you think God wants us to love everyone, even people who are different from us?

5. How would you want someone to treat you if you were the hurt man on the side of the road?

6. What are some simple ways you can be a good neighbor at home, at school, or at church this week?