TLC Questions... Week of January 28, 2007

** TLC Questions From Luke 10:25-37**

“Who is Your Neighbor?”

Our story begins with ‘an expert in the law’ asking Jesus an honest question, but with a dishonest motive hoping to trap Him. Being aware of this, the Lord answers the lawyer’s question by telling him a wonderful story about a priest, Levite, and Samaritan that finally traps him into answering a very important question for all of us, ‘who is my neighbor’?

1. (vs 25) Why do you believe this ‘expert in the law’ was trying to “test” Jesus?

• Why do you believe the teachings of Jesus offended the religious leaders?
• When someone’s message is offensive, what do people usually attack?

2. (vs 27) The lawyer knew the Law and immediately gave the correct answer.

• What did the lawyer ask that indicated whether or not he practiced this Law?
• How does this line up with the teaching in James 1:22-25?

3. (vs 29) The lawyer wanted to ‘justify himself’ by asking ‘Who is my neighbor?.

• What characteristic does this reveal in a person?
• What was he really asking Jesus?

4.They lawyer wanted to discuss “neighbor” in a general way.

• What does the story reveal to us about who is our ‘neighbor”?

5. Read Exodus 23:4-5, Proverbs 24:17-18 and Proverbs 25:21-2.

• Do you believe “expert in the Law” should have known theses Scriptures?

• Should he have known the answer to the Lord’s question?

6. (vs 31-33) The priest, Levite were religious men. The Samaritans were hated by the
Jews and considered half breeds.

• What principle was Jesus pointing out in this story?
• Are we to pick and choose who are neighbor may be?

7. What does this story teach us about love?

• About mercy? About selfishness?