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Leader Guide

Activity

  • Gather the following objects: torn and ripped cloth; dirt and stones; jar, vial, or small bottle of olive oil; bandage; two silver coins; Do Not Enter sign—use image provided; toy donkey—or use image provided; toy bed from a small playset—or use image provided; “Mercy” sign—or image provided
  • Sealable sandwich bags: see instructions below
  • Pillowcase or large bag—not see-through
  • Scissors
  • Bibles or Superbook Bible App

Make one copy of the Image Pattern in color or black and white.

Cut out the word “Mercy,” the “Do Not Enter” sign, and any other images you need.

Place the following items in separate sandwich bags and seal them:

  1. Dirt and Stones.
  2. Two coins.
  3. Donkey image—or toy donkey, if it fits in the bag.
  4. “Do Not Enter” sign.
  5. Bed image—or toy bed, if it fits in the bag.
  6. “Mercy” sign.
  7. Bandage.
  8. Olive oil.
  9. Torn or ripped cloth.

Place all nine objects in the pillowcase or large bag.

Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “I will love my neighbor as myself.”

Jesus told a parable to show us that everyone is our neighbor. How did Jesus say we are to love our neighbor? As ourselves.

In this bag are nine objects. You will take turns pulling an item and then share what you think the item represents in the Bible story. Here’s a hint: One of the items represents an event in the Bible story before Jesus told the parable!

Choose children to come up one at a time and remove an item from the pillowcase without looking.

The child can share what the item represents in the Bible story.

Open up discussion to the class for additional thoughts about the object’s significance. Ask additional questions to explore more deeply.

Object List

  • Dirt and stones: The road between Jerusalem and Jericho. (See Luke 10:30.)
  • Torn and ripped cloth: The robbers beat and stripped the man’s clothes. (See Luke 10:30.)
  • Bottle of olive oil: The Samaritan poured oil on the man’s wounds. (See Luke 10:33–34.)
  • Bandage: The Samaritan cared for the man’s wounds. (See Luke 10:33–34.)
  • Two silver coins: The Samaritan paid for the injured man’s care. (See Luke 10:35.)
  • Do Not Enter sign: Samaritans did not welcome Jesus and His disciples. (See Luke 9:53.)
  • Donkey: The Samaritan placed the hurt man on his own donkey. (See Luke 10:34.)
  • Bed: The Samaritan took the hurt man to the inn to heal. (See Luke 10:34–35.)
  • Mercy sign: Jesus told us to show mercy to our neighbor. (See Luke 10:36–37.)

Conclusion: Jesus’ parable teaches us who our neighbor is and how we should show compassion, love and mercy to others. When we have God’s love in our hearts, we will find it easier to love others as ourselves and treat them as we would like to be treated.