Teaching

Divide the class into four groups. As much as possible, each group should be a mixture of boys and girls, various ethnic backgrounds, older and younger children, members and visitors, etc. Have each group sit close together, but apart from the other groups. Number the groups 1–4.

First, let’s answer the question from Large Group. How did the man who was an expert in the Jewish law try to test Jesus? First, he asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Later, he asked Jesus who his neighbor is. (See Luke 10:25–29.)

That same man spoke the words of our SuperVerse today. When he asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus answered by asking the man how he understood what the law said about it. And the man answered with the words of today’s SuperVerse!

Let’s look at the board and read it together. Luke 10:27b:

“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.” And, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Was the man’s answer right?

Let’s find out. Read Luke 10:28:

“Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”

Yes, the man answered Jesus’ question correctly. He said that we need to love God and our neighbor as ourselves. However, he wasn’t finished with questioning Jesus. He wanted to test Jesus’ definition of a neighbor. The man probably thought his neighbors were only other Jewish people—and since he cared about his fellow Jews, he thought he was safe! What if I were like that today? How would I act toward others? Let’s see ...

Walk to Group 1 and nod your head approvingly. I really like Group 1; I like the music they listen to, I like the sports teams they cheer for, and I like the kind of food they eat. I fit in nicely with them. I will have no problem loving them as myself! Wave to the group. Hi, neighbors!

Walk to Group 2 and shake your head disapprovingly. Hmmm, I don’t feel like I connect with Group 2 very much. After all, we cheer for different sports teams. They are not exactly like me. I don’t think I could be their neighbor.

Walk to Group 3, put your nose up in the air and look down on the group to seem arrogant. Group 3 listens to different music than I do, and we don’t like the same kinds of food! I don’t see how I can ever be their neighbor!

Walk toward Group 1, then look back at Group 4 as if they are really far away. Put your hand to your forehead as if searching in the distance. Oh yes, I almost forgot Group 4! But they are so far away, they couldn’t possibly be my neighbors. I don’t know where they came from, and they may not even speak my language. So, I don’t need to care about them, or even go over there and say hello.

Drop your pose and address the entire class.

Okay, let’s talk about my attitude toward the different groups.

Group 1, how did you feel when I said I approved of you and liked you?

Groups 2 and 3, how did you feel when I said I didn’t think we could be neighbors?

Group 4, how did you feel when I wouldn’t even come over and say hello?

Should I pick and choose my friends like that?

Can I love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, yet still think that some people God made are not my neighbors?

Have a volunteer reader read 1 John 4:20–21:

²⁰ If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? ²¹ And He has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.

Those are strong words, aren’t they! Can we truly love God if we hate or look down on others? No!

When Jesus spoke to the expert in the law, He exposed his false belief that he could say he loved God yet not love his enemies.

Jesus didn’t only tell the Jewish lawyer to love the Samaritans; He made a Samaritan the hero of the parable—as a role model for everyone to follow! How do you think that made the Jewish lawyer feel? Embarrassed, angry, humbled, etc.

It’s not always easy to love others, especially our enemies! The Samaritan may have been on a very important errand. He could have easily ignored the hurt man. The robbers could have been lurking behind some rocks to attack him. Yet he chose to take the time to stop, get down off his donkey, use his own money, and care for a Jewish man.

Here’s something important that you should always remember: If you’re too busy to love, you’re too busy. Say that with me. If you’re too busy to love, you’re too busy.

Sometimes loving our neighbor means stepping out of our comfort zone. That’s why we need God’s help! When we ask Jesus to live in our hearts, His Holy Spirit gives us the power to love others—even our enemies! Love is a Fruit of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit also produces joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness in us. We need His fruit in our lives to be a good neighbor, especially to those who are unkind to us or who are different.

Have a volunteer reader read 1 John 4:7:

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.

When we really know God, we will love others! The love we have in our hearts is from God. We must allow His love to shine through us by our actions, attitudes and words! That is how we love our neighbor as ourselves—not in our own strength, but by the grace and power of God!

After Jesus told the parable, He told the Jewish man to do something. What was it? Show mercy to your neighbor.

If you were here last time, can you say our SuperVerse from Lesson 1? Job 34:19:

And God created us all; He has no favorites, whether rich or poor.

As you speak, give one end of the rope to Group 1 and have all the children hold onto it. Continue to walk the rope by each group and have all children hold onto it. There are people all over the world; some are thousands of miles away. Raise your hand if you think they are still our neighbors.

Yes, everyone is our neighbor, whether nearby or far away. Why? Because God created us all in His image. We are all connected! This rope represents the invisible connection we have with each other. Yes, there are differences between us, yet God loves every single person—and we must love others as He loves us!

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give the Golden Rule Pattern to children who missed the previous lessons so they may assemble their crafts at home. They can use the pattern to engage in the discussion today.

Our Discipleship Challenge is about the Golden Rule. Who can say the Golden Rule with your eyes closed?

See Matthew 7:12a:

“Treat others as you want them to treat you.”

What does treating others this way have to do with loving our neighbors as ourselves?

Did you discuss the Lesson 1 situations on your Golden Rule Card at home?

If time allows, lead a discussion about situations 1A and 1B on the card.

1A) A classmate has made fun of you for years. Now some of your friends are making fun of this classmate at lunch.

How would you want to be treated if you were in the other person’s place?

Why would it be tempting to join in with the others to make fun of your classmate?

1B) Your sister forgot to return your phone charger again, and now your phone is dead when you need it.

What would you be tempted to do to your sister, and why?

How would you like to be treated if you accidentally forgot to return something?

Continue with the Lesson 2 Golden Rule Card questions and you will have a chance to discuss your answers the next time we meet! In the meantime, look for opportunities to demonstrate God’s love and mercy to others—beyond just our friends and families!