Luke 10:1-13 (NLT) Parables are a common tool for teaching “Kingdom truths” through short stories w/metaphor & imagery. Jesus Teaches What It Means To Love Both God and Neighbor Luke 10:25-37 (NLT) Parable of the Good Samaritan “25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” 27 The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”[c] 28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” 29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. 31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant[d] walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. 33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins,[e] telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ 36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. 37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” How do we know if our faith is real? Neighbor is defined by . The proof of our love for God is our love for those who have nothing in with us - even our enemies. Neighbor as a , not just a . What now? Neighbor the insider. Neighbor the outsider. CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION 1. If you’re being honest, who is your “enemy”? (political, at work, at home) 2. How does it strike you that your love for “the least of these” or your “enemy”, proves out your love for God? 3. In what ways could you “neighbor” (as a verb) those God gives you proximity to?