|
Good Samaritan
Anthony Walker – Luke 10:25-37 - The Good Samaritan
Cell notes
Welcome (ice-breaker):
Have you ever had to get help from a complete stranger? (Busking, hitchhiking, car breaking down, lost wallet/phone). Was the person who helped you a Christian?
Word:
Read the passage.
What responses do you think Jesus expected to elicit from his audience? (We cant earn our salvation, as we are not good enough, and we are called to love even our enemies without limitation.)
Do you find it difficult to accept that salvation is a gift and that you don’t need to earn it?
What do you think the motive of the lawyer was? (perhaps cross refer to Luke 18:18)
Why do you think Jesus responded to the first question by referring to the law – why did he not point to himself?
What does “as yourself” add to the concept of “love your neighbour”?
What does the passage say about who are our neighbours?
What were the excuses of the Priest and the Levi? What could have been the excuses of the Samaritan? Do you make excuses when opportunities to help arise? Are there ever any legitimate excuses?
Do you assess whether the person is really in need, or if it is their own fault? Should that make a difference?
Witness:
Luke 10: 25 - How would you respond if asked this question?
Do you have occasions when you are asked questions about Christianity by you are unsure about the underlying motive of the person asking the question? How can we find these out?
Salvation as a free gift is a challenging idea. Have you had to explain this to non-Christians? Was it easy for them to accept?
Pray that you would be prepared to see opportunity to (a) explain clearly that salvation cannot be earned and (b) to love those around you (even if this involves inconvenience, risk, difficulty and sacrifice).
|
Anthony Walker, 29/04/2008 |
|
|
