Lesson 36 - The Good Samaritan
Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” (Luke 6:36-37)
The Man on the Dangerous Road
Parent Explanation:
In the story, a man was walking on a road and got hurt by some robbers. He needed someone to help him because he was all alone.
Questions to Ask:
What happened to the man in the story? (Answer: He was hurt by robbers)
How do you think the man felt? (Encourage empathy)
Hand Motions:
Walking Gesture: Pretend to walk in place.
Falling Down: Gently sit down to show being hurt.
Activities:
Helping Hands: Practice gentle ways to help someone who is pretending to be hurt.
Question: What should we do if we see someone who needs help?
The Priest and the Levite Pass By
Parent Explanation:
Even though the priest and Levite could have helped, they decided to walk by the hurt man without stopping. That wasn’t very kind.
Questions to Ask:
Who saw the hurt man but did not help? (Answer: The priest and the Levite)
What should they have done? (Answer: Discuss helping)
Hand Motions:
Passing By: Wave hand in front of face as if walking by.
Shaking Head: Shake head to show disapproval.
Activities:
Role-Playing Game: Act out different responses to seeing someone in need to understand the importance of helping.
Question: How do you feel when someone helps you?
The Good Samaritan Helps
Parent Explanation:
The Good Samaritan was very kind. He stopped to help the hurt man, cleaned his wounds, and made sure he was taken care of.
Questions to Ask:
What did the Good Samaritan do for the hurt man? (Answer: Helped him and took care of him)
Why is it important to help others like the Good Samaritan did? (Answer: Discuss empathy and action)
Hand Motions:
Bandaging Gesture: Pretend to wrap a bandage around an arm.
Carrying Gesture: Pretend to carefully lift and carry someone to safety.
Activities:
First Aid Fun: Teach simple ways to pretend to treat wounds with bandages and care.
Question: What can you do to be a helper like the Good Samaritan?
What It Means to Be a Neighbor
Parent Explanation:
Jesus wants us to be kind and helpful to everyone, just like the Good Samaritan was. That’s what it means to be a good neighbor.
Questions to Ask:
Who is our neighbor according to Jesus? (Answer: Everyone)
How can we be good neighbors every day? (Answer: Encourage ideas about kindness and helping)
Hand Motions:
Heart Expansion: Start with hands close together and then expand them outward to show our heart growing to include everyone.
Helping Hands: Extend hands out as if offering help.
Activities:
Neighborly Acts: Discuss and plan simple acts of kindness we can do in our community.
Favorite Part: What was your favorite part of the Good Samaritan story?