Bible Reading
Luke 10:25-37 “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.”
[05:49]Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
[34:35]Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
[25:44]Observation questions
- In Luke 10:25–29, what does the lawyer’s follow-up question reveal about his reason for asking whom he must love? [08:17]
- In Luke 10:30–35, how does the Samaritan’s response differ from the priest’s and Levite’s responses? Which actions address immediate needs, and which provide continuing care? [11:02]
- In the picture of the Samaritan caring for wounded humanity, what do the wine and oil represent about Christ’s care? [14:19]
- In Ephesians 2:8–10, what is the relationship between God’s gift of salvation and the good works believers are created to do? [35:44]
Interpretation questions
- How does Jesus shift the focus from deciding which people qualify as neighbors to becoming a neighbor to someone in need? What difference would that make when a person’s needs are inconvenient? [11:50]
- The wounded man’s character and background are unknown. Why does that matter when someone is tempted to decide whether a hurting person deserves compassion? [23:48]
- How does Ephesians 2:8–10 protect a believer from both trying to earn God’s acceptance through service and treating practical care as unimportant? [34:35]
- In Matthew 5:14–16, good works point people toward the Father. What distinguishes care that draws attention to God from care that mainly draws attention to the person helping? [28:10]
Application questions
- Think of someone you regularly encounter who may be hurting or overlooked. What might you notice if you slowed down enough to listen, and what simple act of care could you offer this week? [27:25]
- When someone’s difficulties seem connected to repeated poor choices, what thoughts or feelings rise up in you? What could compassion look like without pretending those choices do not matter? Please avoid sharing identifying details about someone else. [23:48]
- Where do limited time, money, or emotional energy make you feel that helping would be pointless? What small thing could you bring to Jesus—a meal, a conversation, a note, or practical help—rather than waiting until you can solve the whole problem? [30:20]
- Christ offers both forgiveness and the Holy Spirit’s power for the life ahead. Where do you need to receive that care yourself, and how might receiving it shape the way you respond to another wounded person? [14:46]
- Is there someone you have tried to help whose progress you feel responsible for controlling? What would it look like to remain faithful in caring while leaving the outcome with God? [33:23]
- You cannot meet everyone’s needs, but you can care for one person within your reach. Who might that be, and how could this group or the wider church share in their continuing care rather than leaving you to carry it alone? [39:11]
