Episode 088 – Parable of the Good Samaritan Pt 5: The Common Humanity
Key Passage(s): Luke 10:25-37; 2 Chronicles 28:1-15; Leviticus 19:18
Did you know that Jesus didn’t manufacture the Parable of the Good Samaritan out of thin air? He was actually drawing upon a story from the Old Testament (his Bible). And it’s one of the most incredible war stories about loving one’s enemies. This Old Testament story coupled with Leviticus 19:18 gives us a window into how we can love all people well, and how we must find the common humanity we share with others before we highlight our differences. This final episode in the series on the Parable of the Good Samaritan forces us to ask ourselves, “Have we become the neighbor Jesus has asked us to become?” Let’s find out.
Discussion Questions
- What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?
- Before this teaching, were you aware of the 2 Chronicles 28 story? If not, how did that enhance your understanding of the Parable of the Good Samaritan? Were you once again reminded of the importance of understanding the Old Testament to understand the teachings of Jesus?
- Where have you focused too much on loving yourself well first that you have not loved others well?
- Where do you find yourself highlighting the differences in other people long before affirming the commonalities? How can you become more like a child and affirm the common humanity first?
- Based on the four aspects we’ve highlighted in this series on “Becoming a Neighbor” (1. Shift the Focus, 2. Empathy and Action, 3. Imagine the Good, 4. Find the Common Humanity), are you becoming the kind of neighbor Jesus has asked us to become?
- In thinking through the series, what is the most significant thing you’ve learned or been challenged with?
- How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching or this series this week?
For Further Study
- Stories With Intent by Klyne Snodgrass – Pages 338-362
- Short Stories By Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine – Chapter 2
- Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes (Combined Ed.) by Kenneth E. Bailey – Chapter 3 (in Through Peasant Eyes) addresses this parable.
- The Parables by Brad Young – Chapter 5
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How have I not heard about the 2nd Chronicles connection before?
This takes an already brilliant parable to a much greater level.
While those in attendance who weren’t familiar with the scriptures were probably saying ” I see what he did there”. Those that knew the scriptures had to have had their jaws drop. Thinking “he just went there didn’t he”?
Thank you for sharing and bringing clarity to the scriptures once again! Although I was raised in the church, I hadn’t heard the 2 Chronicles story. What a huge AHA!!! I love learning and understanding the Bible more and more. I continue to strive to love others daily. I am just coming out of a 3-year season in my life that has changed me forever. I made one mistake and I lost every material thing, But God has replaced it all many times over. It was in this journey that I was forced to look at others and see that we are all alike. For five months I was in jail and everyone wears the same uniform. So you’re all the same, it doesn’t matter if you are rich, poor, black, white…whatever! You’re forced to look at people’s eyes, that’s how you discover who they are, and you discover that you all have the commonality of loss of relationships with family and friends. You’re all the same! We all needed God’s grace, love and forgiveness! I was able to share Christ in there. We had devotionals in the mornings and we shared a copy of Jesus Calling. Sometimes I was needed to just listen. The Peace I held in my heart seemed to be a magnet to many. I’ve stayed friends with one lady I met in there. The way things have turned out for her, I can’t help but believe God had our paths cross. I’ve been able to encourage, uplift, love and support her. If you looked at us on the outside we seem to have nothing in common. But, we are are both daughters of Christ and that is the truth I try to carry with me daily. I strive to look at strangers’ eyes and see them, really see them. I wouldn’t change a thing in this journey. God truly can turn anything into good for those who love Him.