In one of His most enduring parables, Jesus Christ teaches us that loving and serving others is essential to inheriting eternal life. This New Testament FHE lesson goes over the story of the Good Samaritan and some of the important gospel principles it teaches us. Each of our FHE lessons includes three lesson plans for different ages, treat recipes, activity ideas, and more.
Scripture
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Hymn
A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief | Hymn #29
1. A poor wayfaring Man of grief
Hath often crossed me on my way,
Who sued so humbly for relief
That I could never answer nay.
I had not pow’r to ask his name,
Whereto he went, or whence he came;
Yet there was something in his eye
That won my love; I knew not why.
2. Once, when my scanty meal was spread,
He entered; not a word he spake,
Just perishing for want of bread.
I gave him all; he blessed it, brake,
And ate, but gave me part again.
Mine was an angel’s portion then,
For while I fed with eager haste,
The crust was manna to my taste.
3. I spied him where a fountain burst
Clear from the rock; his strength was gone.
The heedless water mocked his thirst;
He heard it, saw it hurrying on.
I ran and raised the suff’rer up;
Thrice from the stream he drained my cup,
Dipped and returned it running o’er;
I drank and never thirsted more.
Lesson
FOR CHILDREN
Activity: Gather a number of snacks to put in a bag. Make sure there is a mix of sugary and more healthy treats. Give the children a brown paper bag and let them choose some treats to put in their bag. Go around and have each child tell why they chose the treats they did.
Ask: What foods do you think I would put in your bag? Why?
Read: To keep our bodies healthy and strong, we need to eat balanced meals! We can enjoy treats, but we also need to eat healthy foods. This can be hard when we just want to eat yummy, sugary things! We can relate this feeling to caring for other people. Sometimes, we just want to love people who are easy to love. We want to take care of people who are nice to us. But what about the people who are different from us? Or even people who have been mean to us?
Scriptures: Read or relate the scripture of the Good Samaritan as found in Luke 10. You can also watch the video below.
Ask: What were some of the nice things the Samaritan man did?
Read: Just like eating balanced foods, even if we don’t always like them, Jesus wants us to love everyone, even if they are different from us. Everyone is our neighbor! Everyone is a child of God. Our spirits become healthy, strong, and full of God’s love when we help people around us.
Share: Tell a story about a time when someone was hard to love, but you were able to serve them or strengthen the relationship in a positive way.
Ask: Who do you know could use some kindness? How can you help them?
Testimony: Close by sharing your testimony of loving others.
FOR TEENS & ADULTS
Discussion: Begin by discussing these two questions, as posed by a lawyer to Jesus in the Bible.
- What shall I do to inherit eternal life?
- Who is my neighbor?
Ask everyone how they would respond to that question.
Video: Watch the following video and ask everyone to think about what it teaches us about the answers to these questions.
Read: We have chances every day to be good Samaritans. Jesus taught us that everyone is our neighbor. We should extend kindness and mercy to those around us.
Ask: Have you ever felt like those who passed the man on the road? Why is hard to serve sometimes?
Share: Share a personal experience when serving or loving someone was difficult, but you were blessed in some way for doing so. Ask if anyone else has an experience they want to share.
Read: There is a lot of animosity in our world today. Though we may not realize it, we may be like those people who hated the Samaritans. Yet it was the Samaritan who was willing to show compassion to someone. Everyone is a child of God and we can follow Christ’s commandments to love God and love our neighbors.
Testimony: Close with your testimony.
FOR SINGLE STUDY
Read “Room in the Inn” by Gerrit W. Gong. As you read, ponder times in your life when you felt like you belonged and were loved in God’s kingdom. Ask yourself how you can foster that environment for others. Try to prayerfully think of someone you can reach out to and support this upcoming week.
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Treat
TreatBandaid Cookies
Make bandaid cookies with graham crackers, frosting, and red decorating gel! An example can be seen here.
Activity
Put first aid kits together as a family. Keep them in your car, a school backpack, underneath beds, or in 72-hour kits.
