Parable of the Good Samaritan Lesson Plan

The Parable of the Good Samaritan is a well-known story from the Bible that teaches us about love, compassion, and helping those in need. The story of the Good Samaritan can be found in the book of Luke in the New Testament of the Bible (Luke 10:25-37).  In this lesson, we will review the story and discuss its important lesson.

Objective:

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

  • Understand the story of the Good Samaritan and its lesson
  • Reflect on their own experiences of helping others or seeing others help others
  • Brainstorm ways that they can put the lesson of the Good Samaritan into action in their own lives

Lesson outline:

  • Introduction to parables and the story of the Good Samaritan
  • Review of the story of the Good Samaritan
  • Discussion of the lesson of the story
  • Sharing of personal experiences related to helping others
  • Brainstorming ways to put the lesson of the Good Samaritan into action

Parable of the Good Samaritan written in a language that children can understand children.

Once upon a time, a man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. They took his money and left him lying on the side of the road, hurt and in need of help.

Soon, a priest came walking down the road. But when he saw the man, he didn't stop to help. He just kept walking on the other side of the road.

Next, a Levite came by and saw the man. But he also didn't stop to help. He just kept walking on the other side of the road, too.

Finally, a man from the town of Samaria came by. When he saw the man who was hurt, he felt sorry for him. He stopped to help and gave the man some water and bandaged his wounds. Then he helped the man onto his own donkey and took him to an inn where he could rest and get better.

The man from Samaria even paid for the man's stay at the inn and promised to pay for anything extra that was needed to help him get better.

This man who stopped to help the hurt man was known as a Good Samaritan. He showed love and kindness to someone who was in need, even though they were not from the same town or part of the same group of people.

The Good Samaritan's actions remind us to always try to help others, no matter who they are or where they come from.

Questions and answers: 

1) Who was the main character in the story of the Good Samaritan?

The main character in the story of the Good Samaritan was a man who was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho and was attacked by robbers.

2) Who were the people who passed by the man and did not help him?

The people who passed by the man and did not help him were a priest and a Levite.

3) Who was the Good Samaritan and what did he do?

The Good Samaritan was a man from the town of Samaria. He saw the man who was hurt and stopped to help him, giving him water and bandaging his wounds. He then helped the man onto his own donkey and took him to an inn where he could rest and get better. The Good Samaritan also paid for the man's stay at the inn and promised to pay for anything extra that was needed to help him get better.

4) What is the lesson of the story of the Good Samaritan?

The lesson of the story of the Good Samaritan is to love your neighbor and to help those in need, regardless of whether or not they are a part of your own community or social group.

5) How can we put the lesson of the Good Samaritan into action in our own lives?

We can put the lesson of the Good Samaritan into action in our own lives by being kind and supportive to all people, regardless of their background or circumstances. This could involve something as simple as offering a kind word or a listening ear, or something more practical like helping someone with a task or providing them with resources. By following the example of the Good Samaritan, we can create a more compassionate and supportive society, where everyone feels valued and cared for.

Group activity:

  • Divide the students into small groups and give each group a copy of the story of the Good Samaritan. Have them retell the story to each other and discuss the lesson of the story.

Individual activity:

  • Have the students write a short paragraph about a time when they have helped someone in need or have seen someone else do so.

Prayer:

Dear God,

Thank you for the gift of your love and compassion, which you have shown to us through the example of the Good Samaritan. Help us to remember that we are all neighbors, called to care for and support one another in times of need.

Inspire us to be Good Samaritans in our own lives, reaching out to those who are hurting or in need, and showing them your love and kindness. May we be instruments of your peace and healing in the world, bringing hope and comfort to those who are suffering.

We pray for the courage and generosity to follow in the footsteps of the Good Samaritan, and to be a blessing to others as he was. In your holy and loving name we pray.

Amen.

Conclusion:

Review the main points of the lesson and the importance of helping others and showing compassion. Encourage the students to think about ways that they can put the lesson of the Good Samaritan into action in their own lives. Overall, this lesson can be a great opportunity to teach students about the value of compassion and the importance of helping those in need.


Note: The activities provided here are just a sample, you can adjust them based on the class size, student's level, school's curriculum and your own teaching style.

Image: The Good Samaritan Alexandre-Gabriel Decamps

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