Luke 10:25-37

"Be the Neighbor" challenges the traditional question of "Who is my neighbor?" posed by a religious expert to Jesus. Instead of giving a definition, Jesus flips the question by telling the story of the Good Samaritan, instructing us to be the neighbor. This isn't just about being a good person, but about putting our faith into action. Being a neighbor means meeting a need, and it requires three things: energy, time, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

• Energy: The Good Samaritan didn't just feel bad; he acted, going so far as to give up his donkey and walk so the injured man could ride. The idiom "go the extra mile" reminds us that serving others often requires emotional and mental effort when we're tired.
• Time: The Samaritan intentionally took a detour from his plans to care for the injured man. This highlights the importance of "redeeming the time," which means living in the present and making the most of every opportunity God gives us to serve others "right here... right now".
• More Than You've Got: The Samaritan went beyond what was expected, paying for the man's care and promising to return for any additional expenses. Living out our faith requires more than we have on our own, which is precisely the point. It's only with the power of the Holy Spirit working in us that we can express our faith outwardly and fulfill God's purposes.

The big idea is: "Miracles happen when a need meets people who will do something".

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Jesus calls us to “go and do the same” (Luke 10:37). What does that look like in your daily life on campus, at work, or with friends?
2. A “Second Mile Christian” is someone who goes beyond what’s expected. In what areas of your life do you feel challenged to “go the extra mile” for someone?
3. How do you balance your own goals and plans with the unexpected needs of others?
4. The Samaritan gave “more than he had.” This is only possible with the Holy Spirit’s help. How have you seen the Holy Spirit give you what you needed to help someone else?
5. What need is God calling you to meet this week?

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THE POWER OF YOUR STORY

Jesus knew the power of a story. When a religious expert tried to trap Him with the question, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus didn’t just give him a simple answer - he told a story. IN the same way, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit not just to debate or preach, but to share our own stories and bear witness to God’s goodness and faithfulness.

Remember, every number has a name, every name has a story, and every story matters to Jesus. Your story is significant.

THE CALL OF GOD

Sometimes, the Call of God can feel like a singular, narrow, and difficult to find path. But it’s often much wider than we think. A great way to discover your calling is to figure out these two things: What are you good at? And what do you like to do? The Call of God is likely found somewhere in the middle of those two things.

Don’t be discouraged if you have to go through a season of learning and growing first, or if your current job doesn’t seem to fit your calling. Sometimes what we see as a setback, God sees as a set up.

A NEW CHAPTER

Just as Pastor Jamie is stepping into a new season, God is also working in your life. It’s like a “jacket” that feels way too big, but it’s trusting God to help grow into it.

God isn’t done with you yet. As Philippians 1:6 says, “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ returns.”

Your story is still being written. The steps of a righteous person are ordered by the Lord.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. How can we use our own personal stories and testimonies to witness to others in our daily lives, and what are some challenges we might face in doing so?
2. God’s calling is often found at the intersection of “what you are good at” and “what you like to do.” What are some things you are good at and enjoy doing? How might these things be part of God’s wider calling for your life?
3. Sometimes what we see as setbacks, God sees as a setup. Can you share a time in your life when something that seemed like a setback turned out to be a setup for a new opportunity or a lesson from God?
4. Is there a calling or a new season in your life right now that feels too big for you? How can the promise in Philippians 1:6 encourage you in that season?

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📍 English Worship Jogja | A place to encounter God, grow in community, and walk in purpose.

🔗 Website: ewjogja.com
📸 Instagram: @ewjogja

A religious leader comes to Jesus with a question. But it’s not really a question because he already knows the answer. The problem is not that he doesn’t know. The problem is that he doesn’t do it. Yes, the way to eternal life is loving God and loving our neighbor. We know that. But do we do it? If we’re honest, most of us would have to say “no.”

The story of the good samaritan starts with two people who had excuses to not get involved in someone else’s pain. They twisted God’s word to justify themselves and if we’re not careful we can do that too. We can pick and choose the promises that make us feel happy while leaving the teachings that require sacrifice and effort behind. The command of God is clear: we are to love others. But instead of doing that, we isolate our lives from people who are in pain and only give love to those who can give it back to us.

Our list of excuses to stay away is a meter long, but the way to eternal life remains the same. So what do we do?

The only way to become the kind of people that love others is by having a complete heart transformation. It’s not enough to know about God, we need to experience Him. We need His power and love to overhaul our selfish and sinful hearts. We need to come face to face with the love of God.

1 John 4:19 We love because He first loved us

God’s law without God’s love is an excuse. God’s law with God’s love is fuel for God’s mission. We love others when we experience the power of God’s love for ourselves, and we are so transformed that it propels us to love the people around us.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Do you easily open your life to others or is it difficult for you to get close to others? Why do you think that is?
2. When you think about loving your neighbor, what comes to your mind?
3. Do you do it? Why or why not?
4. Do you feel like God’s love has changed you? Why or why not?
5. What are some excuses you regularly use to distance yourself from others or not show them love? How can you lay those aside starting today?

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📍 English Worship Jogja | A place to encounter God, grow in community, and walk in purpose.

🔗 Website: ewjogja.com
📸 Instagram: @ewjogja