When teaching [tag]Sunday school for teensuse the lesson of the Good Samaritan. It is a key one and especially relevant in current times. Young teens are confronted with situations daily where they could apply the principles this lesson teaches.
Bible Reading:
Appoint a number of readers and have each of them read a verse in turn until they come to the end of the reading.
Luke 10:25-37
Discussion:
Ask the questions and have the class tell you what they think. Why is it that the people walk past the man and don’t help? Are they afraid? Of what? Why did the Samaritan stop? Why didn’t he walk past like the others?
Now think about the story in today’s world. Have the students come up with examples of their everyday lives and examples from the news of instances where the Good Samaritan story applies – for example, bullying in schools, gang rivalry, religious wars.
Activity: Debate
Choose one of the modern day examples and split the class into two halves. Give each half an argument to present – either for helping the issue/victim or for ignoring it/him – and then allow a set amount of time for each group to assemble their debate strategy and important points. Give each group a pen and paper so they can write down their key points ready for the debate. Tell each group that they will have 5 minutes to present their argument.
Once the allocated time is up – have each group appoint a spokesperson, and then let them speak for 5 minutes about why their group has the winning argument. Then switch and allow the other group.
Discussion:
Bring the groups back together again and ask them which of the debating teams Jesus would have been on. Which one of them was the Christian way? Remind them that this was only an activity, but it was intended to make them think about situations in their lives and not to just accept situations for whatever reason, but rather to show their love of God by following his example and not walking by on the other side of the road.
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