Children's / Sunday School · aligned to Standard Evangelical (default)
The Good Samaritan: Being a Good Neighbor
Jesus teaches us that loving our neighbor means showing kindness and helping anyone in need, even when it costs us something.
Review & safety checks
This lesson plan is well-constructed and theologically sound. It faithfully presents Luke 10:25-37 with age-appropriate language, emphasizes the core evangelical message of loving God and neighbor, and includes thoughtful activities that reinforce the lesson. The discussion questions are engaging and appropriately scaffolded. All Scripture references are accurate and properly cited. No plagiarism, theology, or sensitive-material concerns detected. The leader notes are practical and helpful. Ready to use.
No theology, sensitivity, or plagiarism issues flagged. Reviewed against the Standard Evangelical (default) Statement of Faith.
Lesson plan
Greet the kids warmly. Play a quick round of 'Help Tag.' One or two kids are 'It.' When a child is tagged, they must freeze and call out 'Help!' Another child can free them by gently touching them and saying 'I'll help you!' Play for 2-3 minutes. Afterward, gather everyone and say: 'It felt good to be helped, didn't it? Today we're going to hear a story Jesus told about someone who needed help — and the surprising person who helped him.'
Tell the story from Luke 10:25-37 in kid-friendly language. A teacher of the law asked Jesus, 'Who is my neighbor?' Jesus answered with a story: A man was traveling a lonely road when robbers attacked him, took everything, and left him hurt on the ground. First, a priest (an important church leader) came by — but he crossed to the other side and kept walking. Next, a Levite (a temple helper) came by — he also walked right past. Then a Samaritan came along. (Explain: Samaritans and Jews usually did not get along, so people would NOT expect this man to help.) But the Samaritan felt sorry for the hurt man. He stopped, bandaged his wounds, put him on his own donkey, took him to an inn, and even paid for his care. Pause and ask the kids: which one was the real neighbor? Read Luke 10:36-37 aloud. Emphasize Jesus' final words: 'You go, and do likewise.' Loving our neighbor means noticing people who need help and actually doing something kind — even if it's hard or costs us something. Connect it to the great command in Luke 10:27 to love God and love our neighbor.
Lead a short discussion using the questions provided. Keep it lively — let several kids answer. Affirm every answer and gently steer toward the big idea: Jesus wants us to help anyone in need, not just our friends.
Give each child a paper and have them trace their hand (or use pre-cut hand shapes). On each finger, they write or draw one way they can be a 'good neighbor' this week — sharing a toy, helping mom, being kind to someone left out, comforting a sad friend, praying for someone. For younger kids, draw together. Let a few volunteers share one of their ideas. Encourage them to take it home as a reminder to 'go and do likewise.'
Gather the kids in a circle. Quickly recap: 'A neighbor is anyone who needs our help, and Jesus wants us to love them like the Good Samaritan did.' Pray together: thank God for loving and helping us, and ask Him to help us notice people in need and be kind this week. Close by having the kids repeat together: 'Go and do likewise!'
Discussion questions
- warmupHave you ever helped someone who was hurt or sad? How did it make you feel?
- digWhy do you think the priest and the Levite walked past the hurt man instead of helping?
- digJesus said the Samaritan was the real neighbor because he 'showed mercy.' What does it mean to show mercy to someone?
- applyWho is someone at school, home, or church that you could be a good neighbor to this week, and what could you do?
Scripture
Luke 10:27 (BSB) — He answered, "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 love your neighbor as yourself."
Luke 10:33-34 (BSB) — But a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Luke 10:36-37 (BSB) — "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" "The one who showed him mercy," replied the expert in the law. Then Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
Leader notes
Prep checklist
- Read Luke 10:25-37 ahead of time and practice telling it in your own simple words
- Clear a safe, open space for the 'Help Tag' game
- Pre-cut paper hand shapes for younger children to save time
- Decide how you'll explain who Samaritans were in age-appropriate terms
- Pray for the children by name before the session
Materials
- Bible (BSB or another clear translation)
- Paper or pre-cut hand shapes
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
- Pencils for tracing hands
- Open space for the icebreaker game
This took DiviNav about a minute. Make one for your church:
Try it free — no card