Reviewer's Note:

Nest's Good Samaritan DVD was recommended in several Video Workshop lesson sets previously posted to our site. During our 2013, we consolidated them into this one post. Additional notes by Neil MacQueen.  You are very welcome to post additional lesson plans using this same DVD.

The Good Samaritan

Video Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

The Good Samaritan DVD from Nest

Scripture Reference:     

Luke 10:25-37

Memory Verse: 

Jesus said, “Go and do the same!” Luke 10:37

Concepts:      

• If we love God, we love our neighbor as ourselves. You can't claim to love God and ignore the needs of others.
• We are good neighbors when we show kindness and mercy toward others no matter who they are.
• God's disciples help others in need without expecting a reward

Objectives:    

Leader Preparation:

• Read the scripture ahead of time.
• Gather the materials.
• Preview the video.

Supplies List:

• The Good Samaritan DVD from Nest
• Popcorn

Presentation

Opening - Welcome and Introductions

Ask them how much they know about the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Ask them what they think the parable means.

Ask:  Who are your heroes?   List their responses on the board.

Ask:  What are the characteristics of a super hero?  What powers do they have?

         (You'll come back to the list after the video.)

Dig - Main Content and Reflection:

Set up the Video:

Say:  In today's video, the hero of the story is going to be a Samaritan man.  If you were alive during the time of Jesus and heard this story, you would have said, "NO WAY! Samaritans are not good people!  They worship the wrong way and are outsiders!"

And in that day, if you were a priest getting ready for worship and came upon someone who had blood on them,  you would not be allowed to touch the man because if you got even one drop of blood on you, you would not be allowed to worship in the Temple that day.   

While you're watching this video, I also want you to keep an eye out for the SECOND HERO in the story that almost NOBODY EVER TALKS ABOUT.  I'm not going to tell you who it is; that's for you to figure out.

Show the Video  (it is your scripture for the day and follows it very closely)

Discussion:

• Who was the 2nd Hero in the Story? The innkeeper! 
• What did the innkeeper risk in this story?
  ((He or she had to trust that the Good Samaritan would come back and pay the man's bill. And perhaps the innkeeper had to worry that the robbers would come looking for the man. He/she didn't know why the man had been beaten, or if he was a good man or not. He risk being inconvenienced, ...what if the beaten man took a long time to get well?))

• What did the Good Samaritan risk?
  **By being willing to stop and help, the Samaritan risked being late to wherever he was going. We don't know how close the inn was to where he was going. He risked becoming ritually unpure if blood was touched.  He risked being robbed himself. He risked that the Samaritan would come back. He risked his money. He risked that the innkeeper was going to take care of the poor man and not charge him a huge amount when he returned.))

• What kind of risks do YOU take when you:
  • See someone being bullied at school?
  • Are in a hurry to get to practice and a friend calls you crying and needing your help?
  • When you are asked to help raise money for a mission project to help others?
  • When you befriend an unpopular kid at school?

Where and How to Get Help:

A few scenarios to consider, -feel free to add others.  Have students brainstorm "ways to get/give help".  Don't just say "take to doctor", but have them think about their PERSONAL response to those in need.

• If you were sick, where could we take you?  How could the Samaritan show you we care?
• If you were depressed what could we do for you?  Who should we mention this to?
• If someone took your stuff and wouldn't give it back, what could the Samaritan do for you?
• If you were very lonely where would we take you? what could the Samaritan do for you?
• If you were bullied or beaten/battered, what should we do for you?
• If you were stealing or hanging out with bad people, what could the Samaritan do to help you?
• If you were trying to raise money for a hunger walk, what could the Samaritan do besides just give you money?

Reflection Activity:    Making a Self-Adhering Stretch Wrist Bandage

In the very last verse of this story, Jesus said: “Go and do the same [as the Samaritan]” We are called to be ready to help others.

The Samaritan had bandages, --he was READY TO HELP. 

Each of you is going to be given a stretchy bandage to wrap around your wrist as a reminder of today's lesson to BE READY to be the Good Samaritan or the Innkeeper. This will take two people working together.  One of you should stretch the bandage while the other writes the message "Go and do the same."  When you let go of the bandage, it will scrunch up. It's kind of like a secret message.  You are welcome to add other decorations on the bandage.

You are also encouraged to make one for someone in your family who won't get to be part of our video workshop.

**Use the stretchy elastic bandage that is "self adhering" to itself and doesn't require clips. Give each student a piece that's about 10 inches long.

Closing: 

Have all circle up with their bandaged wrists reach into the center of the circle and grabbing another student's wrist. Close with a prayer for courage to find those in need and help them.

Recommended Activity Sheets from the DVD's booklet for the End of Class:

(if you have extra time)

For 4-6 year olds:  Copy ahead of time and pass out the "Be A Good Samaritan" page from the DVD's activity book.  Have students imagine what is going on in each of the scenes, then color them in. Then give them the "Mystery Picture" to color and take home. (It's a stained-glass scene of the Samaritan with the man on his horse.)

For 7-8 year olds:  Copy ahead of time and pass out the Word Wheel activity that has a hidden message about what Jesus is telling us in this parable.

For 9-11 year olds:  Copy ahead of time and pass out the Greatest Commandment Maze and the "What Happened First" quiz.