Discussion Questions
Discuss the story in small groups using the following questions. {10–15 minutes}
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What question did the lawyer ask Jesus to test him? How did Jesus respond? Even though the lawyer wanted to test Jesus, how did Jesus test that man’s heart? How does his story test your heart?
Takeaway
People sought to test Jesus, but it is Jesus who tests our hearts.
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How did the man answer Jesus’s question about how to summarize the law? What happens if you perfectly love God and your neighbor? What keeps us from doing that? Who is the only person who can do that?
Takeaway
The whole law is summed up by loving God with all your heart and loving your neighbor as yourself, and only Jesus can do that perfectly.
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Who were the three men who saw the wounded man on the road to Jericho? Which one helped the man? Why is that surprising? In what ways is Jesus the Great Samaritan?
Takeaway
The parable of the good Samaritan reminds us that Jesus came to save his enemies; he is the Great Samaritan.
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What’s the final question that Jesus asked the lawyer? What was his answer? The whole story was to answer the question “Who is my neighbor?” So what is the answer? If we love God and want to follow Jesus, what must we go and do?
Takeaway
Loving God means loving our neighbors, including our enemies.
