Date: July 24, 2022
Who is Your Neighbor?
The Point: Love compels us to be the neighbor others need.
Get Into the Study
Use the following information to introduce Question #1.
Begin by sharing this news item:
“New research from La Trobe University in Australia found that children who engage in household tasks like cooking, gardening, and cleaning yield better academic performance and problem-solving skills.” Cognitive processes like working memory, ability to move between tasks, and focus are all positively affected when children between the ages of 5 and 13 regularly complete chores in the home. In addition to typical household duties, these chores included regularly making meals for self and others.
Say: “Children who do chores impacting themselves and others are learning important things. But our natural inclination is often to do as little as possible.” Then read Question 1: (“Growing up, what type of chore or school assignment would you do ‘just enough’ to get by?”)
Information for this post was gleaned from: https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/kids-who-do-chores-are-more-successful-adults-according-to-science-theres-just-1-catch.html
Get Into the Study [from Adult Leader Guide, p. 103 and KJV Adult Leader Guide, p. 99]
In advance, play a funny video clip showing children doing their chores. Then ask Question #1.
Study the Bible
Use the following information to introduce Question #5.
Begin by sharing this news item:
“With over 65,000 trained volunteers, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief has more volunteers than the Red Cross or Salvation Army. When wildfires, hurricanes, flooding, and other disasters strike, trained Southern Baptist volunteers quickly form groups to serve the people and communities affected by disaster. In 2022, Southern Baptists have participated in disaster relief efforts like:
● Sifting through ashes after fires ravaged a community in Marshall, Colorado
● Serving in “chainsaw teams” to help local communities deal with fallen trees after storms in Ohio left thousands without power
In 2021, in addition to 83,000 meals served, and 10,000 gospel presentations, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief efforts reported over 2,000 professions of faith last year.
Say: “Southern Baptist volunteers serve those affected by disasters in practical ways, and also look for ways to share the love of Jesus with those who are hurting.” Then read Question 5: (“What’s the relationship between our love for God and our love for others?”)
Information for this post was gleaned from: https://bciowa.org/5-facts-about-southern-baptist-disaster-relief/
https://denvergazette.com/news/wildfires/marshall-fire-heroes-superior-woman-who-woke-neighbor-residents-who-cooked-hot-meals-for-deputies/article_459890e4-f70d-11ec-88c5-e759273fe92b.html
https://www.the-daily-record.com/story/news/2022/06/28/crews-continue-debris-clean-up-two-weeks-after-hurricane-force-winds/7746052001/
Jessica Connell wrote these Leader Extras. Jess is a homeschooling mom of 9 who has served around the world in ministry with her husband. She loves hiking, exploring, and being active in her local church in North Texas.
Additional Questions
Icebreakers
- How would you describe a good neighbor?
- What was your neighborhood like growing up?
- How would you describe your current neighborhood?
Luke 10:25-28
- What did the man’s question reveal about his understanding of God?
- What did Jesus’s response reveal about God and His kingdom?
- What are some wrong assumptions people have about earning eternal life?
Luke 10:29-32
- What might keep us from helping someone in need?
- Can we separate love for others from love for God? Why?
- In this story, what is Jesus exposing about the way people choose to love?
Luke 10:33-37
- What would it look like for you to go above and beyond in being a neighbor to someone this week?
- What does this parable teach us about how God views love?
- How does our love for others reveal our love for God?
For Those in Your Group
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
Do You Know Who is Sitting Right Next to You?
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Magazine Article
This article complements the study. Share this link with your group members.
- HomeLife – We Need Each Other
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
Great pod cast but one error – the exile of the northern kingdom living in Samaria was by the Assyrians. This was not the Babylonia captivity as was said in this pod cast. Not terrible important to the story but right history is right history.
Thank you for the correction.