For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
Jesus tells one of His most famous stories to answer a big question: who is my neighbor?
Today's Story
A man asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor — who am I supposed to love?” So Jesus told a story.
“A man was walking down a lonely road when robbers attacked him, took everything, and left him hurt on the side of the road. Soon a religious leader came by. He saw the hurt man… and crossed to the other side and kept walking. Then another important man came by. He also saw the man… and passed by without helping.”
“Then a Samaritan came along.” (Samaritans and this man's people usually didn't get along.) “But when the Samaritan saw the hurt man, his heart filled with pity. He stopped, bandaged the man's wounds, lifted him onto his own donkey, took him to an inn, and paid for him to be cared for. He helped a stranger — even someone who was supposed to be his enemy — just because he was hurting.”
Jesus asked, “Which one was a true neighbor?” The man answered, “The one who showed kindness.” Jesus said, “Go and do the same.”
A neighbor isn't just the person next door. A neighbor is anyone who needs our help and kindness.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- Two important people walked past the hurt man, but the Samaritan stopped to help. What made the Samaritan different?
- The Samaritan helped someone who was different from him, even an “enemy.” Why is that hard? Why does Jesus want us to do it?
- Jesus said a neighbor is anyone who needs help. Who is a “neighbor” you could help this week?