Jesus the King · Lesson 9
The Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25-37; 2 Chronicles 28:8-15 New Testament PrincipleCompassion
When an expert in the law asked, "Who is my neighbor?", Jesus told a story about a Samaritan who stopped to care for a hurt stranger, and said, "Go and do likewise."
God showed us mercy when we couldn't help ourselves, so we show compassion to anyone in need, even people who are different from us.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Luke 6:36 BSB
Christ Connection · Need
The expert asked what he must do to inherit eternal life, and the answer was to love God and neighbor perfectly. No one does that, so we all need mercy. Jesus came to us when we were helpless and paid what we owed. Many Christians have seen a picture of Him in the Samaritan, the outsider who stopped, paid the cost and promised to return.
Romans 5:6-8; Titus 3:4-5; 1 John 4:19
The Big Story · Redemption
Since the Fall, people have tried to earn God's approval and draw lines around who deserves love. Jesus came to show mercy to the helpless, and He makes His people neighbors to anyone in need.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- Object lesson: The first aid bag
- Theo’s Workshop (build challenge): Build the road to Jericho
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Stop and help
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
The kind man stopped to help.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Help them up, Color the helper
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
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Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
Jesus told a story about a Samaritan who stopped to help a hurt man. God is merciful to us, so we can care for anyone who needs help.
Start here
Ask, "Who is your neighbor?" Let kids answer (the people next door). Say, "A man asked Jesus that question. Jesus answered with a surprising story!"
Bible story 6 min
A man asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" So Jesus told a story.
A man was on a long road. It went down a big hill. Robbers jumped out! They hit him and took his things. They left him hurt by the road.
A priest came by. He saw the man. But he went to the other side of the road.
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Stop or pass? 8 min
You’ll need: Paper hearts
- Read short situations, like "A friend drops their crayons" or "A new kid has no one to play with."
- Kids stand and say "Stop!" and act out how to help, or sit and say "Pass" if no help is needed.
- Give a paper heart for each good idea.
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3rd – 4th grade
Jesus told about a Samaritan who cared for a hurt enemy, teaching that a neighbor is anyone in need, and God's mercy to us makes us merciful too.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Three travelers, Mercy kit
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at school, at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
The parable of the Good Samaritan erases the limits we put on "neighbor," exposes our need for mercy, and shows that people who have received God's mercy become merciful.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: How far does "neighbor" reach?, On my road
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: online and on screens, at school, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Compassion
The same principle in other Bible stories.
