Trail Life Troop
NC-613
Devotional – Good Samaritan
Opening
- Today, we learned about what to do in a medical emergency just like the parable “The Good Samaritan.”
- Read, or someone read the Teaching verse. FYI: The memory verse is further down
Luke 10:25-37 Read the parable of “The Good Samaritan.”
Devotional
Big picture Learn to care for the physical and spiritual needs of others
- Q: In the parable, how badly did the robbers hurt the man going to Jericho? (near death/half dead)
- The man was dying, in obviously very bad condition. Anyone could see he needed help, immediately.
- Q: Who saved the injured man? (the good Samaritan)
- Q: Who didn't help the injured man? (a priest, and a Levite)
- Q: What are some things the good Samaritan did to save the man?
- He recognized the situation--the man needed help. (He was alert and aware of his surroundings. He didn’t have his nose in a video game or texting).
- He took pity on the man. (His conscience would not let him neglect the man)
- He chose to help the man (He could have chosen to ignore and not get involved, but he made the godly choice, he did the right thing, he had mercy)
- He knew what to do!
- This parable is a fictional story that Jesus made up to make a point about who is your neighbor. But, like all parables it is filled amazing truth. You may never come upon a dying person in need, and we hope you never do, but every day you will have people right in front of you that need caring for.
- And learning to care for the physical and spiritual needs of friends, family, or community members provides a way to show the love of Christ to people who do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior.
- You will be known by your actions, whether you choose to care/help others or not.
- Learning to help others is like exercising. It takes time and effort. But if you truly are a Christian, helping others in big or small ways, daily, is something that Jesus calls us to do.
- Showing others, the love of Christ by caring for them is what Jesus did. It is the best way to spread the gospel. Jesus called us to be “salt & light” to the world. What you learned today is just one way to be salt & light. Don’t be like the priest or the Levite. Care about others. Be a Good Samaritan.
Memory Verse #1
Ask if anybody knows it yet and can say it? Read it together 2X Consider having a memory verse pamphlet for kids take home.
Ephesians 6:13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Topical Questions
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Did the priest and the Levite recognize the man needed help? (Yes)
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Did the priest and the Levite choose to help the man? (No)
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Why didn’t the priest or the Levite choose to help? (They had no mercy for others in them)
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Now that you know some first aid skills, will you choose to help others in an emergency? Why?
Closing Prayer
Dear Jesus, we thank you for this amazing parable that teaches us that we are to be merciful to all people, even those we do not like. Jesus, we know this is a parable that You made up to silence the prideful pharisee, but we know that it speaks the truth to us today. Help these boys to not act like the priest or the Levite, but to be merciful and to use their skills to help their neighbors. They are to be salt & light to the world. Help us to align our actions with what we believe. In Your name, Jesus, we pray. Amen!
