The Lawyer Who Wanted a Loophole

Christ Speaks to the Problem of Religious Hypocrisy

Pray

Pray together for the group meeting, and any pressing needs within the group.

Mission Talk

Each week you’ll spend some time sharing about the previous week’s mission. What was your mission, what were your results, and what did you learn from it?

Watch

Watch the following discussion-starter video. It’ll set the topic of discussion for the group.

Read Luke 10:25-37

1. One person will first read the scripture selection in the King James Version.
2. Next, another person will read the same passages in a modern language or amplified version for more clarity such as the New Living Translation (NLT), Message Bible (MSG), New English Translation (NET), Amplified Bible (AMP), etc. We recommend using the YouVersion Bible app.

Retell

1. One person will begin retelling the scripture passage in their own words (a new person to start each week is great!) Then…
2. As a group, work together to fill in gaps and build the story. This will help us internalize and own it. Be sure everyone participates.

Discuss

Together, share around the group how the topic and scripture setting applies to your life personally. Here are some thoughts to consider for discussion… don’t let the discussion stop here, though… what questions can you ask that will help uncover God’s message?

The Question- verses 25-29

• Who was the man that questioned Jesus?
• What was the motivation for his question?
• Was the man truly concerned about the answer to his question?
• How important is the question he asked, and why?
• What is significant about the way Jesus answered him?
• Did this man know the law well? Did he know it well enough?
• What was the man’s answer to Jesus’ question?
• What did Jesus tell the man to do with his explanation of the Law?
• What is the difference between knowing something and acting on it?
• Was the man successful at doing what the Law commanded?
• How was the man feeling now about the question he asked now?
• What did the man ask Jesus next, and what was his motive?
• When we ask Jesus, “tell me who I have to love”, we’re really asking, “tell me who I don’t have to love.” Why was this lawyer looking for a loophole?

The Parable – verses 30-35

• Does Jesus say who the traveler was in his parable? Does he describe anything about his nationality, background, station in life, wealth, occupation, family status, etc.? What is significant about this
• What happened while the traveler was going down to Jericho
• Describe the first man that encountered the beaten traveler
• What might have been this man’s motivation for crossing the road to avoid him?
• What might this man’s feelings and emotions have been about the traveler’s situation?
• Describe the second man that encountered the beaten traveler.
• Did this man also cross to the other side of the road? Was he better or worse than the first man?
• How harshly should we judge the Priest and the Levite?
• What are some differences between “reasons” and “excuses”?
• List some possible “excuses” these men may have said if asked why they didn’t help.
• Describe the third man that encountered the traveler?
• Did the Samaritan have a reason to stop and check on the man? Why did he stop?
• What might the feelings and emotions of the Samaritan have been toward the traveler?
• Someone once said the definition of compassion is, “your hurt in my heart.” Describe a time when you felt compassion for someone else.
• Can we have compassion without action?
• Out of the three men who encountered the traveler, which ones should have been most likely to show compassion on him?

The Application – verses 36-37

• Jesus asks the man which of the three was a neighbor to the traveler. What was his answer?
• Notice at the beginning, the man asks “who is my neighbor”, but Jesus was more interested in who he was a neighbor to. What is the difference?
• How did the lawyer answer Jesus’ question?
• Jesus tells the lawyer to go be like the Samaritan. How might that have felt for the man to hear? Did he like Samaritans?
• What is our “road to Jericho”?
• Who is our neighbor?
• How neighborly are you?
• Are there any current situations you know of where someone is in need of a neighbor? Share with your group.

Mission

In light of what we now know about this passage, what is God calling you to do this week? As a group, take just a couple of minutes to silently pray to God asking, “Lord, what do you want me to do this week because of what I’ve seen today?” Briefly write this down as a personal mission statement for the week,

“Lord, this week, I will __________________________.”

A possible suggestion:

• Lord, this week I will reach out to someone I know who is hurting and offer to help.
• Even better, write your own!

Next Group’s Scriptures

The Woman at the Well: Jesus Speaks to the Problem of a Guilty Past – John 4:1-30