LESSON 10

60 MINS

SECTION 1 = 5 mins

3 MINs >> REFLECTION

DECIDE

Decision making can be difficult. Each of the characters in the Good Samaritan story made a decision. The circumstances are important. We don’t always have the necessary time or presence of mind to gather information, identify alternatives, and weigh the evidence. Sometimes a decision has to be made quickly in uncomfortable, unusual, or unexpected circumstances. That can be overwhelming. Imagine stumbling upon someone badly injured in the middle of nowhere. What would you do? Call 911? Help them? Pass by? It’s unlikely that you or I will encounter an emergency like the one in the Good Samaritan story.

It’s probably safe to say that the Samaritan made a “good” decision while the priest and Levite made a “not so good” decision. Let’s assume the conditions were similar for each of them. Yet, only the Samaritan’s decision was in alignment with what a person must do to inherit eternal life. That’s what makes it a “good” decision.

Once the priest, Levite, and Samaritan see the injured person on the side of the road, they have a decision to make. Assuming there are no religious or legal constraints that would keep them from helping, here are three possibilities. (1) They can maintain their distance and pass by on the other side. (2) They can go toward the victim. (3) They can stand still where they are for awhile and try to figure out what to do. Remember, the victim is hurt and needs medical attention. If they choose option three, what might the priest and Levite be thinking about? Maybe if they don’t get too close, they won’t notice the severity of the wounds. If they go near, they might have to postpone their own travel plans. If they stand there and evaluate the situation, eventually, they may have to do something unless someone else comes along.

Seeing someone like that unexpectedly in a foreign place is jarring. You’re caught off guard. You may be compelled to approach (go near) with compassion; or, you may nonconsciously withdraw (move away), freeze (remain still), or faint (collapse). It’s not so much a cognitive decision as it is a visceral response. Empathy can get the best of us. We feel the other person’s pain so much that we begin to get nauseous and weak. You might also feel fear in that moment rather than love or compassion. You might feel inconvenienced, indifferent, or preoccupied. You might feel disgusted, or appalled at the severity of the wounds. These impulses are guiding you whether you realize it or not. You’re earliest response may go unnamed. It still influences what you do even though it’s not a typical rational decision. In these early stages, you probably haven’t connected any thoughts and feelings to your values and goals—such as loving your neighbor, and doing what you must do to inherit eternal life.

2 mins >> Discussion Questions + Prompts

Discuss the reflection reading above.


SECTION 2 = 10 mins

3 MINS >> read luke 10:25-37 (NRSV shown below)

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. 

“Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 

He said to him,

“What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 

He answered,

“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.” 

And he said to him,

“You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus,

“And who is my neighbor?” 

Jesus replied,

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 

He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said,

‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 

Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”

He said,

“The one who showed him mercy.”

Jesus said to him,

“Go and do likewise.”

7 mins >> Discussion Questions + Prompts

  • Discuss the decision-making process for the priest & Levite.

  • Discuss the decision-making process for the Samaritan.

  • Was it a decision, an instinct, an impulse, an emotion, or what?


SECTIONS 3 & 4 = 22 mins

15 mins >> Watch TED TALK How to Make hard choices

7 mins >> Discussion Questions + Prompts

  • Share your thoughts about the video.

  • How does the video help you understand the choices made by the priest, the Levite and the Samaritan?


SECTION 5 = 15 mins

10 mins >> FLORILEGIUM

Take a minute or two to read Romans 13:8-10 NRSV. Then, complete Steps 1-3 which are listed below.

Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; you shall not murder; you shall not steal; you shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

1. VERBATIM >> 3 mins >> Choose one key sentence to copy verbatim onto a piece of paper or in a journal.

2. HIGHLIGHT >> 1 min >> Identify a key word or phrase from that sentence.

3. COMMENTARY >> 4 mins >> In your own words, write a few sentences about the reading in general or your selection in particular.

5 mins >> Discussion Questions + Prompts

  • What is the word or phrase that stood out to you?

  • Share what you wrote in your commentary.


SECTION 6 = 8 mins

7 mins >> Discussion Questions & Prompts

  • Discuss how to love your neighbor as yourself.

  • Take a moment to write down your answer.

1 min >> SILENT Prayer

  • Jesus, Help us decide to love God and neighbor. Amen.