Who Is My Neighbor? May 31

Think About It What is the difference between a noun and a verb? Jesus and an expert in the law looked at the definition of “neighbor” The lawyer saw it as a noun Jesus wanted him to see it as a verb Jesus and an expert in the law looked at the definition of “neighbor” The lawyer saw it as a noun Jesus wanted him to see it as a verb

Answers Found in Scripture What are some places where our culture looks for answers and direction? A man comes to Jesus for direction. Listen for where Jesus directs him to look.

Listen for where Jesus directs the lawyer to look. Luke 10:25-28 (NIV) On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" [26] "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" [27] He answered:

Listen for where Jesus directs the lawyer to look. " '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.'" [28] "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."

Answers Found in Scripture Why did the legal expert ask Jesus a question about eternal life? Actually, this question is arguably the most important question any person can ask. Give your opinion why you think the lawyer was or was not sincere in asking it. SincereNot Sincere

Answers Found in Scripture If it was not a sincere question, but a test … what kind of test do you think this was? What different motivations do people have for asking questions about God or of God? Why do you think Jesus told the lawyer to seek his answers in the Law (Scripture)? Why are people today not so quick to turn to the Bible for answers?

Answers Found in Scripture Let’s look at the answers the lawyer found in the Law. What is involved in loving God with all your heart, soul, strength, mind? What does it mean to “love your neighbor as yourself”? What conditions do we sometimes put on giving love to one another?

Listen for the two perspectives of “neighbor.” Luke 10:29-35 (NIV) But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" [30] In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. [31] A priest happened to be going down the same road,

Listen for the two perspectives of “neighbor.” and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. [32] So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. [33] But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.

Listen for the two perspectives of “neighbor.” [34] He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. [35] The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

“Neighbor” – Not a Noun So what was the lawyer really asking Jesus when he asks “who is my neighbor?” Note that the lawyer wanted to justify himself and this second question. Why do you think he wanted to justify himself? Who did nothing to help the man?

“Neighbor” – Not a Noun Why might one expect them to be helpful? What natural inclinations make it easier for you to act like the priest and the Levite? What all did the traveling Samaritan do for the injured man? Why did the Samaritan do this?

Listen for how “neighbor” should be considered a verb. Luke 10:36-37 (NIV) "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" [37] The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

“Neighbor” – a Verb What elements of this parable make it effective in communicating love for one’s neighbor? What barriers did the Samaritan overcome to demonstrate “neighbor” as a verb. How do we overcome barriers like these?

“Neighbor” – a Verb What are some present day ethnic/ideological groups that are experiencing the same type of tension as the Jews and Samaritans of Jesus’ day? We are in one side or the other of several of these groupings  God calls us to be a neighbor to them … to demonstrate “neighbor” as a verb

Application “Jesus taught that wherever someone was in need, His Kingdom people were to act like the Samaritan who stopped to help the bleeding Jew.” – Pray that God will help you act as a better neighbor to those who live near you – Pray that God will help you act more neighborly to those in our community – Pray that we will demonstrate “neighbor” as a verb to people we minister to on coming mission trips

Application Consider the outreach ministries our church is involved in … Every Day Faith, Mission trips, Recovery Classes, etc. – Ask God to help you overcome the barriers that are keeping you from being a neighbor in these ways – Pray that you will see people in need as neighbors you can help.

Application What people who have helped you in times of need? – Who has been a neighbor to you in the past? – Make plans to specifically thank them this week.

Who Is My Neighbor? May 31