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LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE
Wednesday Night, December 13, 2006
“And Who Is My Neighbor”
5 Minutes - Welcome / Prayer
5 Minutes - OPEN
Allow the group members to share recent situations in which they found themselves extending mercy to a neighbor in need.
What is the philosophy of life (or core value) that enables you to be a “mercy giver”?
What are the philosophies of life that prevent you from being a “mercy giver”? How have you come to adopt these philosophies of life?
15 Minutes - DIG
After responding properly to what were the requirements of the law to inherit eternal life, Jesus answered the lawyer, “do this and you will live” (v. 28).
Was Jesus talking about life in “eternity” or a fulfilled life in the here and now? Or both?
If you notice the cross references on this verse in your Bible, we are referred to Rom 7:10. To get the full context, please read vv. 7-25. Why is our sinful nature in conflict with what is holy, righteous, and good? And how does this keep us from discovering the real deal – “a fulfilled and meaningful Christian life?”
In the encounter Jesus had with the lawyer that prompted him to construct this shocking story of the Good Samaritan, Luke records, “But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’” (v. 29).
I suspect we all too often stand before Jesus in order to justify our behavior instead of seeking the fulfilling life He offers. This was the real problem of the “Bible experts” of Jesus’ day. The desire to justify themselves absolutely consumed them. They had developed elaborate systems of protecting the laws they deemed most important, only to miss the most obvious one – submitting oneself fully to God.
When it comes time to account for our love and service to our neighbor, why do we so often try to justify our negligence? Why is this point at the heart of this story?
Can there be conversion without conviction? Why does true discipleship demand we surrender our selfish ways?
Tonight, in what areas of your life does this review of this familiar story convict you?
Contrast a selfish person with someone who is kind, merciful, and compassionate.
15 Minutes - REFLECT
Do you consider yourself to be a mercy-giver? Do you believe this to be a spiritual gift (Rom. 12:8)? Why is this a core value to which we should all devote ourselves?
Have you ever been through a crisis situation and felt so alone in such that you questioned, “does anybody care”?
If so, describe the feelings of loneliness and despair you felt at that moment.
Read James 2:14-16 –
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
After reciting this shocking story of the Good Samaritan and gaining the acknowledgement of the young lawyer that the neighbor was the one who gave mercy, why was it so appropriate for Jesus to say to him, “Go and do likewise”?
In what ways does this convict you?
5 Minutes - CLOSING PRAYER
After this discussion tonight, for what should we pray?
The prayer time you enjoy as a LIFE Group each week is a powerful source of bonding your group together as you share your personal prayer request(s) and bow together in prayer to submit these matters to Jehovah God.
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