Compassion in Action: Healing Wounded Youth Together

Today, we explored the story of the Good Samaritan to understand the real reasons why so many young people are considered “at-risk.” It’s not their identity or inherent nature that puts them in danger, but the environments and systems surrounding them. The parable shows us a man who was stripped, wounded, and left for dead—not because of his own actions, but because of what was done to him and the neglect he experienced from those who should have helped. This is a powerful image of what many youth face today: they are wounded by their circumstances, often by those closest to them, and then further harmed by the indifference or busyness of the very systems and people meant to help.

We looked at how the priest and the Levite, both people with the responsibility and training to help, simply walked by. Their neglect wasn’t just a failure to act; it was a deep wound of abandonment, a message that the wounded man—and by extension, our youth—don’t matter enough to interrupt our routines. This kind of passive neglect is often more damaging than outright harm, because it leaves the wounded feeling invisible and hopeless.

But the story doesn’t end there. The Good Samaritan, an unexpected helper with no title or status, steps in with compassion and practical help. This is the model for true ministry: to see, to stop, to care, and to invest in the healing of others, even when it costs us. Our work with the Liberty Youth Program is built on this biblical model. We don’t just offer words; we provide transportation, support, and a safe place for youth to heal and find purpose. We invest in their futures, believing that with compassion and faith, we can help transition them from trauma to hope.

The call is clear: we are invited to be Good Samaritans in our own context, to refuse the easy path of neglect, and to actively invest in the lives of those who are wounded by their environments. When we do, we reflect the heart of Jesus, who uses anyone—regardless of title or background—to bring healing and restoration.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Wounds Are Often Environmental, Not Inherent Many young people are labeled “at-risk” not because of who they are, but because of the environments and circumstances that have stripped them of hope and opportunity. The wounds they carry are often inflicted by those closest to them or by the systems meant to protect them. Recognizing this shifts our perspective from blame to compassion, urging us to address the root causes rather than the symptoms. [11:25]
• 2. Neglect Is a Deep and Damaging Wound Neglect, especially from those who are supposed to help, can be more damaging than direct harm. When people in positions of responsibility—like the priest and Levite—walk by without helping, it communicates abandonment and worthlessness to the wounded. This passive form of harm leaves deep scars and perpetuates cycles of pain and isolation. [16:47]
• 3. Busyness Can Be an Enemy of Compassion In our fast-paced society, it’s easy to become so busy that we miss opportunities to live out the gospel through acts of mercy. The Levite’s excuse of being too busy reflects a common temptation: to prioritize our own schedules over the needs of others. True discipleship requires us to slow down, notice the wounded, and make space for compassion in our daily lives. [16:01]
• 4. Compassion Requires Action and Investment The Good Samaritan didn’t just feel compassion; he acted on it, investing time, resources, and care into the wounded man’s recovery. Real ministry is not passive or theoretical—it’s practical, costly, and deeply personal. We are called to move beyond words to tangible acts of love that restore dignity and hope. [17:23]
• 5. Faith Means Leveraging What We Have for Others’ Healing Sometimes, helping others requires us to step out in faith, using what little we have and trusting God to provide the rest. The Samaritan promised to cover the wounded man’s expenses, even beyond his current means, modeling a faith that invests in others’ futures. This is the heart of Christian service: to risk, to give, and to trust God with the outcome.
  
  ** [20:54]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - Introduction and Acknowledgments
• [02:10] - The Reality of At-Risk Youth
• [04:30] - The Parable of the Good Samaritan
• [07:15] - The Wounded Man: Stripped by His Environment
• [11:25] - Personal Stories of Wounded Youth
• [13:34] - The Failure of Systems and Neglect
• [15:11] - The Levite’s Indifference
• [16:01] - The Danger of Busyness
• [16:47] - The Pain of Abandonment
• [17:23] - The Good Samaritan’s Compassion
• [18:52] - The Liberty Youth Program Model
• [19:29] - Investing in Youth: Practical Steps
• [20:54] - Faith, Investment, and Transformation
• [22:00] - Conclusion and Call to Action

Bible Reading

Luke 10:25-37 (ESV) – The Parable of the Good Samaritan —
> And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 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.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
> But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
> 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. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 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. 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.’
> 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.”

Observation Questions

1. In the parable, what specific actions did the priest and the Levite take when they saw the wounded man? What might have motivated their choices? (Luke 10:31-32; [15:11])
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the ways that young people today are “stripped” or wounded by their environments? ([11:25])
3. What did the Good Samaritan do differently from the others, and what did his actions cost him? (Luke 10:33-35; [17:23])
4. The sermon mentions that neglect can be more damaging than direct harm. What examples of neglect or abandonment were given? ([16:47])

Interpretation Questions

1. The priest and Levite were people with religious training and responsibility. Why might Jesus have chosen them as examples of those who failed to help? What message does this send about religious duty versus compassion? (Luke 10:31-32; [15:11])
2. The sermon argues that many youth are “at-risk” not because of who they are, but because of their environment. How does this perspective challenge common assumptions about personal responsibility and blame? ([11:25])
3. The Good Samaritan invested his own resources and promised to cover future costs for the wounded man. What does this teach about the nature of true compassion and faith? ([20:54])
4. The sermon says that busyness can be an enemy of compassion. How does this idea relate to the choices made by the priest and Levite, and what does it reveal about obstacles to living out the gospel? ([16:01])

Application Questions

1. The sermon describes how the wounded man was hurt by his environment and then ignored by those who should have helped. Can you think of a time when you saw someone in need but felt too busy or overwhelmed to help? What stopped you, and what could you do differently next time? ([16:01])
2. The Liberty Youth Program invests in youth by providing practical help like transportation and a safe place. What are some practical ways you or our group could invest in the lives of young people or others who are “wounded” in our community? ([18:52])
3. The Good Samaritan acted even though he had no official title or obligation. Are there situations where you have felt unqualified or hesitant to help someone? What would it look like to step out in faith anyway? ([17:23])
4. The sermon says that neglect and abandonment can leave deeper wounds than direct harm. Are there people in your life who might feel invisible or neglected? What is one step you could take this week to show them they matter? ([16:47])
5. The Good Samaritan promised to cover the wounded man’s expenses, even beyond what he had at the moment. Is there an area where God might be calling you to take a risk or invest in someone’s healing, even if you’re not sure you have enough? ([20:54])
6. The sermon challenges us to move beyond words to tangible acts of love. What is one specific, practical act of compassion you could do this week for someone outside your usual circle? ([17:23])
7. The story shows that anyone can be used by God to bring healing, regardless of background or status. How does this encourage or challenge you in your own walk with Jesus? ([17:23])