Hi Journey Kids parents!
The parable of the Good Samaritan is probably the best known of all of Jesus’ parables. Even those that don’t know Jesus will refer to compassionate people as “a Good Samaritan.” But this story is far more incredible than we might realize. See, in the parable, a Jewish man was beaten by robbers and left for dead. Two other Jewish men – both of which held a religious office – passed him by. But a Samaritan – an outcast in the Jewish mind – stopped and cared for him. Jesus calls us to extend compassion to all that need it – even if they look differently, speak differently, act differently, or even believe differently.
When it’s time to begin, start your morning of family worship by watching the short lesson video with your kids. [You can access the videos here.] It’s a great way to engage spiritually with your family.
Here is a snapshot of the lesson details for this week:
Bible Story: Parable of the Good Samaritan
Big Idea: God is compassionate and wants us to show compassion to others even if they’re different from us.
Memory Verse: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love Him with all your strength and with all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’” Luke 10:27 (NIrV)
After the video lesson and music, you can use the attached materials to help take your family deeper into the lesson:
It’s easy to be compassionate towards those who are like us (though you wouldn’t know it from the two religious leaders that passed by the beaten man). But Jesus wants us to show compassion to everyone – because that’s what He did. Who can you show compassion to this week?
