MAIN POINT:

We should live our lives on purpose, making deliberate decisions to live intentionally to serve Jesus.

ICEBREAKER:

If you have a classmate, a coworker or a neighbor who does not seem to have any friends, what can you deliberately decide to do to make a difference in that person’s life?

INTRODUCTION:

We should do what we can do and let God do what He can do. As we loose our love, God looses His love. When you make that deliberate decision to love others in Jesus’ name, God opens the door for lives to be changed, including yours. Remember that religious tradition doesn’t equal love or caring. Compassion like the Good Samaritan’s began with a deliberate decision to care. If you want your life to be significant, decide to live on purpose, with that purpose being to obey God and do something about people who are hurting.

Albert Einstein: “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.”

ENCOUNTERING GOD THROUGH BIBLE STUDY:

Read Luke 10:30.

1. How far is it from Jerusalem to Jericho?
2. What did the robbers do to the man? Can you imagine having even one of these things done to you? Have you ever experienced a robbery or assault?

Read Luke 10:31-32.

3. What deliberate decision did both the priest and Levite make?
4. Why did they make this decision?
5. Do you think anyone saw their behavior?
6. Do Christians sometimes act differently when alone rather than when observed?

Read Luke 10:33-35.
7. How did Samaritan feel when he saw the beaten man?
8. What did the Samaritan intentionally purpose to do?
9. Why do think the innkeeper trusted the Samaritan?
10. What did Jewish people think about the Samaritans?
11. Are there people we treat today as the Jews treated Samaritans?

Read Luke 10:36-37.
12. Which of the characters in verses 31-33 showed neighborly kindness?
13. How well do we obey Jesus’ command?

LEADER NOTES

1. about 12-13 miles
2. stripped him, beat him, left him for dead
3. crossed the road and stayed away from beaten man
4. could back up decision with scripture—cerermonially unclean according to their man-made laws; also, too busy to bother
7. Samaritan took pity on beaten man.
9. had probably dealt honestly and kindly before
10. Jews rebuked Samaritans for luxury and corruption, treated then with contempt. Samaritans were bi-racial, so unpure.