Rotation.org Writing Team

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

"Good Sam" Software Workshop

Summary of Activities

Students will hear, see, and interact with the parable using the "Good Sam the Samaritan" software (Sunday Software) which can be downloaded for free here at Rotation.org.  The software and lesson can be used by Sunday Schools with just one PC or many.

About the Software, Student Handout, and Guide:
Good Sam has several sections of interactive content to choose from, each exploring a different angle on the story. Each section has life application. "Bildad the Bible Explorer" your animated host, appears with more insights and follow-up questions from time to time. There's more in the software than can be covered in one lesson, so you will need to make choices (suggested by the lesson plan) or plan to use it for more than one class.

Click image to enlarge. Right-click to print if desired

This lesson has a Student Handout to guide students through the Good Sam software and to give them space to write down answers to questions asked in the program. If you only have one computer, you can still use this lesson by connecting your computer to a larger screen or projector.

The "Outline to Sunday Software’s Good Sam the Samaritan Software" is a resource for the teacher. It describes all the sections of the program, lists all the onscreen questions seen throughout the program, has the answer key to the quiz, and has a few more follow-up comments the teacher might share during or after the software use.

Scripture for the Lesson

Luke 10:25-37 (NRSVUE)

Good Sam offers three different narrated versions of the story: NRSV, KJV, and a Contemporary version. The KJV version is read by a British speaker which has the effect of making American-English speakers focus. We suggest you use view the story twice using two of the three versions offered.

Possible Memory Verses:

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27*

*The Great Commandment is also one of the "scrambled" verse games at the end of the "Who Wants to Be a Samaritan? Quiz Show."

"Go and do likewise." Luke 10:37

Lesson Objectives

See the Good Samaritan Bible Background at Rotation.org for insights on this story and this set's complete list of objectives.

Preparation and Materials

• Read the Bible Background and scripture.
• Download, unzip, and install the Good Sam software on as many computers as you like. Be sure to follow the instructions.
• Preview the software, this lesson plan, and the Student Handout. Decide which parts of the program you want to cover with your specific class(es) and put "checkmarks" on the Student Handout sections and questions you want your students to complete and answer, then make copies for the students. (By checking which items to complete on the handout, the teacher can direct the focus and amount of time spent in the software. Some content in Good Sam is there for students to explore more in-depth on their own, or if you want to stretch the software over two lessons.)
• Print the PDF Outline of the Good Sam software. It tells you what's where, and has suggestions of which parts of the software to prioritize for your lesson time.
• Snacks for arrival time.
• Reach out to one student in advance and ask for help with the lesson opening Samaritan experiment.

Lesson Plan

Opening: A Samaritan experiment

(1) Have some snacks on the table(s) as students arrive in the classroom. When about half of the class has assembled, cue one student (with whom you've conspired in advance) to go over to a corner of the room and lay down with their face on the floor or a table. Watch to see how others respond to or ignore the single student. If someone approaches the student, the student can tell them they are "okay" but nothing more. If a student approaches you with concern, ask them "what do you think we should do?"

(2) When everyone has arrived and is finishing the snacks, and with the student still in the corner, ask the class if they noticed the student over in the corner, what they thought was going on, why some didn't attempt to help, etc. Add your own observations about various reactions.

(3) Invite the student in the corner to join the class and assure everyone that it was an experiment!  Ask the student what it felt like to be ignored by some and paid attention to by others. Be sure to offer them a snack.

(4) Ask the class what JESUS would have done if he had come into class and seen someone separated and perhaps hurting. Write responses on the Board.  Then introduce these "Jesus answers:" Show mercy. Do unto others. Care for others as you would want to be cared for. Take care of those who feel sad and left out. Don't just ignore or walk by those in need.

(5) Transition to the software by telling them that these "Jesus answers" about not ignoring those in need or making excuses for not helping are a BIG part of what today's scripture is about: The Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Dive into the Good Sam Software using the handout

Distribute and explain the Good Sam Handout which you have marked with the sections and questions students are to complete.

Notes on managing the computer(s)

If you have more than one computer running Good Sam, the handout should keep everyone on track. Still, it's a good idea to have at least one helper for every two computers, sitting by the side to guide.

If you have one computer running Good Sam, invite students to take turns navigating it. Make sure everyone feels like they have a place at the table.

"Be a Bildad" Reflection Fun

Bildad likes to zip on and off screen speaking in his high-pitched squeaky "cowboy drawl." Incongruous fer shur, but that's what makes him fun to watch and fun to imitate!

1. Practice talking like Bildad by replaying the opening of the software where he zips onto the screen.

2. Invite students to slide in front of the class one-by-one like Bildad entering the screen, and say what's on a slip of paper that you are about to give them. On those slips are sentences that the student must complete. Add more to suit your needs!

• Next time you see someone in need, why don't you ______________.
• It's time to stop treating the following people like they are not welcome in our school:  ___________and ___________.
• Stop using the excuse of _________________ to keep from helping someone in need.
• When you go and "do likewise" just like Jesus said, it means you should treat others with  respect and _______________.
• Loving God means loving _______________.

By the way: Did you know that "Bildad" is a real name from the Bible? He was one of Job's friends.

Adaptations

For younger students:

Guide them through the software and read what you need to from the screen. When playing the Good Samaritan Game, eliminate some of the wrong answers to make the choices easier.

For older students:

Spend a little more time in Sam Cam by discussing WHO each character might be today in their world. For example, who are the "robbers" in your world? Are they robbing the peace, taking away a sense of safety, stealing people's self-respect?

Use the handout for an "after the software" discussion.

For those with more class time:

Slow down and complete more areas in the software.

Use the handout for an "after the software" discussion.

For at-home use:

Supporting Members can download this software and FREELY SHARE it with your church's families and Sunday School. (Do not otherwise publicly distribute it; i.e., don't offer it as a download from your website.) Offer the software to families so students can go through other parts of the game at home (and so that parents and older siblings can enjoy it and get in on the conversation).

For a shorter/simpler lesson plan:

Don't check as many areas to explore on the handout.

Written by Neil MacQueen and the Rotation.org Writing Team

Copyright Rotation.org Inc.