Introduction: Why This Matters
It’s easy to love people who look like us, think like us, or agree with us. But Jesus calls us to love everyone—even people we’d normally avoid or judge. In the story of the Good Samaritan, He redefines what it means to love your neighbor.
This lesson challenges us to ask: who is God calling me to love, even when it’s hard?
1. Bible Reading: Luke 10:25–29
“On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ ‘What is written in the Law?’ he replied. ‘How do you read it?’ He answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart… and love your neighbor as yourself.’ ‘You have answered correctly,’ Jesus replied. ‘Do this and you will live.’ But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?'”
Explanation For Teenagers
The man was looking for a loophole—he wanted to know the minimum requirements for love.
But love isn’t about limits; it’s about showing mercy to anyone in need.
Jesus often flips our expectations and pushes us to think bigger about who our “neighbor” really is.
Youth Group Discussion Questions
- Why do you think the expert in the law wanted to define “neighbor” so narrowly?
- Who is someone you find hard to love or show kindness to?
- What might it look like to love that person this week?
2. Bible Reading: Luke 10:30–37
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers… A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by… So too, a Levite… But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was… He went to him and bandaged his wounds… and took care of him. ‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man?’ The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.'”
Explanation For Teenagers
The priest and Levite represented religion—but they missed the heart of compassion.
The Samaritan, who was hated by Jews, became the hero by showing mercy.
Loving our neighbor means stepping out of our comfort zone and into someone else’s pain.
Youth Group Discussion Questions
- What’s the most surprising part of this story to you?
- How does this challenge the way we treat people who are different from us?
- What’s one way you can be a “Good Samaritan” this week?
Youth Group Game: “Neighbor Relay”
What You’ll Need:
- Bandages or strips of cloth
- Water bottles, backpacks, or props to carry
How to Play:
- Create a relay course where one team member pretends to be “injured.”
- Other team members must take turns helping and carrying them to the finish.
- Debrief afterward about how helping someone—even in small ways—reflects God’s love.
Debrief
- What was it like to help someone or be helped?
- How does this game help you think differently about who your neighbor is?
- What’s a practical way to serve someone this week?
Closing Prayer
Jesus, thank You for showing us what real love looks like. Help us to see beyond labels and love the way You do. Give us hearts that are ready to help, even when it’s uncomfortable. Teach us to be good neighbors. In Your name, Amen.