Good Samaritan Lesson Plan

Love Your Neighbor Game

This is a simple and engaging activity that gets everyone moving and helps them connect with one another. The game works like musical chairs, where participants take turns calling out ways they connect with others. The person in the middle says, “Love your neighbor who…” and names something like “wears glasses” or “has a pet.” Everyone who matches the description moves to a new spot. The person left in the middle starts the next round.

The game is a great icebreaker to get everyone involved and thinking about what it means to “love your neighbor.” See the full instructions here.

That was fun! Games like that remind us that we all have things in common, even when we don’t realize it. Sometimes it’s easy to feel like we’re different from the people around us, but when we take the time to look, we see how much we share.

Now, let’s think a little deeper. Was it easy to notice some of those connections, like glasses or pets? What about things you can’t see right away? In real life, some people have struggles or feelings we don’t see. They might be hurting, lonely, or just needing a friend. That’s where the story of the Good Samaritan comes in.

Before we get to the story, let me ask you a few questions. Think about these for a moment:

• During the game, how did you feel when you had to move? What about when you were left in the middle?
• In real life, have you ever felt like the person in the middle—overlooked or out of place?
• How can games like this remind us to pay attention to others and see who might feel left out?

Just like in the game, real life challenges us to notice people. Sometimes it’s easy to miss those who need help. But Jesus wants us to see everyone as our neighbor—people we are called to love and care for. Let’s read the story of the Good Samaritan and see how Jesus teaches us to “love our neighbor” in a real and meaningful way.

Read Luke 10:25-37 (The Good Samaritan), which is the Gospel for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said, “”Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?””

Jesus said to him, “”What is written in the law? How do you read it?””

He said in reply, “”You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.””

He replied to him, “”You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.””

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “”And who is my neighbor?””

Jesus replied, “”A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.

A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.

But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’

Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?””

He answered, “”The one who treated him with mercy.””

Jesus said to him, “”Go and do likewise.””

Let’s take a moment to talk about the story Jesus told about the Good Samaritan. Maybe you’ve heard it before, but let’s really dig in and see what it means for us today.

In the story, a man is traveling when he is attacked, robbed, and left on the side of the road, helpless and hurting. Then something surprising happens. Two people—a priest and a Levite—see him and walk right past. These are people who were supposed to know God’s law and do the right thing, but they didn’t stop to help. Maybe they were too busy. Maybe they thought someone else would come along. Whatever the reason, they chose to look the other way.

Then a Samaritan comes along. This is where the story gets interesting. Samaritans and Jews didn’t get along. People hearing Jesus tell this story probably thought the Samaritan would ignore the man, too. But instead, the Samaritan stops. He doesn’t just check on the man; he goes above and beyond. He takes care of his wounds, puts him on his own donkey, and pays for a place where the man can rest and recover. This Samaritan chose mercy, kindness, and action—even for someone who might have seen him as an enemy.

Now, let’s think about how this applies to your life. Who are the people around you who are hurting? Who feels left out, ignored, or unseen? Maybe it’s the kid who always eats alone at lunch. Maybe it’s someone who gets teased in class or someone who seems sad or overwhelmed. Maybe it’s a friend going through something hard, but no one is really paying attention.

It’s easy to be like the priest and the Levite. Maybe you feel too busy, too tired, or too unsure about what to say. Maybe you think, “Someone else will help.” Or maybe you’re afraid to stand out or get involved. But Jesus challenges us to do more. He calls us to be like the Samaritan. To notice the people who need help. To stop and choose kindness, even when it’s hard.

Being a Good Samaritan doesn’t always mean doing something big or dramatic. You don’t have to have all the answers, and you don’t need to fix everything. Sometimes it’s as simple as saying hello to someone who feels invisible, sitting next to someone who’s alone, or checking in with a friend who’s struggling. Small actions can change someone’s day—and sometimes their life.

The Samaritan didn’t stop to think about why the man was hurting. He didn’t ask if the man deserved his help. He just chose to act. That’s what Jesus is asking of us. He wants us to be the kind of people who show love, mercy, and compassion to everyone, even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable.

Jesus’ words are clear: “Go and do likewise.” When we choose kindness, we are choosing to live the way Jesus calls us to. We are choosing to love our neighbor, no matter who they are. And in doing that, we share God’s love in the world.

Divide your group into smaller groups to share their thoughts on the Good Samaritan story. Encourage students to be open and respectful, and remind them that everyone’s perspective is valuable. If someone doesn’t want to share, that’s okay too.

• Why do you think the priest and the Levite walked past the hurt man?
• Who are the people in your life who might feel ignored, left out, or “on the side of the road”?
• What are some small ways you can show kindness to others this week?
• Have you ever been in a situation where you needed help, and someone stepped up? How did that feel?
• Why do you think Jesus chose a Samaritan as the hero of this story?
• What stops us from helping people sometimes? Is it fear, busyness, or something else?
• What does Jesus mean when He says, “Go and do likewise”? How can we live that out in our lives?

This week, I want you to really look around and notice the people in your life. Who might be feeling left out, hurt, or alone? Maybe it’s the kid at school who sits by themselves, or someone who always seems quiet and overlooked. It could be someone in your family who needs a little extra care or even someone you don’t know very well—a neighbor, a classmate, or a stranger. Don’t assume someone else will step in. Jesus is asking you to be the one who chooses to act with kindness and mercy, just like the Good Samaritan.

Don’t let fear or busyness hold you back. It’s easy to think you don’t have time or that you won’t make a difference. But even small actions—like offering a smile, asking someone how they’re doing, or listening when someone needs to talk—can change someone’s day. Jesus tells us, “Go and do likewise.” That’s not just a suggestion; it’s a challenge. This week, be brave. Take a moment to stop and help someone who needs you. When you do, you’re living out your faith and sharing God’s love with the world.

Loving God,

Thank You for the story of the Good Samaritan, which teaches us to see others with Your eyes. Help us to notice those who are hurting, lonely, or in need. Give us the courage to stop, show kindness, and take action, even when it feels hard or uncomfortable.

Fill our hearts with Your love so we can share it with the world. Teach us to be Your hands and feet, bringing mercy and hope to everyone we meet.

We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus.

Amen.

Themes

• Love of Neighbor: Jesus teaches us to love everyone, even strangers or those we don’t get along with. Love is shown through actions, not just words. Helping others is how we live out this love.
• Seeing with God’s Eyes: The Good Samaritan noticed the man who needed help while others walked past. God calls us to see others with compassion, as He does. We must look beyond differences and offer care.
• Mercy and Compassion: The Good Samaritan acted with kindness and mercy, expecting nothing in return. God shows us mercy every day and asks us to do the same for others. Mercy heals and brings people closer to God.
• Overcoming Judgment: The priest and Levite ignored the man, but the Good Samaritan didn’t. We should not judge who is “worthy” of help. Everyone is created in God’s image and deserves our love and care.
• Faith in Action: Our faith isn’t just about prayer or Mass. It must lead us to care for others in need. Helping others makes our faith real and visible.
• Dignity of Every Person: The hurt man could have been ignored, but the Good Samaritan cared for his dignity. Every person has value because they are loved by God. Treating others with respect is part of being Catholic.
• Being Christ to Others: The Good Samaritan’s actions reflect what Jesus would do. When we care for others, we become Christ’s hands and feet in the world. This is how we share God’s love with others.
• Breaking Down Barriers: Samaritans and Jews were enemies, but the Good Samaritan helped anyway. God calls us to break down barriers of hatred and division. We are all one family in Christ.
• Call to Serve Others: Jesus’ story reminds us that helping others is part of being a disciple. Serving those in need brings us closer to God. It’s how we live out the Gospel.
• Choosing to Act: The Good Samaritan didn’t just feel bad for the man—he acted. God calls us to take real steps to help others. Small actions can make a big difference in someone’s life.
• Living the Gospel: Jesus tells us to “go and do likewise.” The parable challenges us to put our faith into practice. Loving our neighbor is a direct call from Jesus Himself.
• God’s Love in Action: The Good Samaritan shows what God’s love looks like. It’s generous, caring, and open to everyone. When we love others, we reflect God’s love in the world.

Background Material

The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of Jesus’ most well-known teachings. It shows us what it truly means to love our neighbor. This story fits deeply into Catholic teaching because it connects to Jesus’ commandment to love God and love others. It reminds us that mercy, compassion, and action are at the heart of our faith.

In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus tells this parable after a lawyer asks Him, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus responds with a story about a man who was robbed, beaten, and left to die. A priest and a Levite saw him but walked past without helping. Then a Samaritan, someone from a group often looked down on by Jews, stopped and showed compassion. He bandaged the man’s wounds, took him to an inn, and paid for his care. Jesus ends by saying, “Go and do likewise.”

This story connects to Catholic teaching about mercy and love for all people. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it says: “The Church’s love for the poor is a part of her constant tradition” (CCC 2444). Jesus Himself cared for the outcasts, the poor, and those who were suffering. The Good Samaritan shows us that loving our neighbor means helping anyone in need, no matter their background, beliefs, or social status.

The parable also fits with Catholic social teaching, especially the principle of the dignity of the human person. Every person is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). This means everyone deserves respect and care. The Samaritan cared for the injured man, recognizing his dignity even when others ignored it. We are called to do the same in our daily lives.

Another important Catholic teaching seen in this parable is the idea of faith in action. Loving God is not just about words or feelings. It’s about how we live. In the letter of James, we read: “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). The Samaritan didn’t just feel sorry for the man—he acted. He took the time, used his resources, and went out of his way to care for him. This shows us that real love involves sacrifice and effort.

Pope Francis often talks about this message. He reminds us to reach out to people on the margins—those who are ignored or overlooked. He once said, “The parable of the Good Samaritan is the clearest sign of how we should treat others: with mercy and compassion, without judgment.” Like the Samaritan, we are called to look beyond differences and see the face of Christ in every person.

The Good Samaritan challenges us to examine our own lives. Are we walking past people in need? Are we too busy, afraid, or distracted to help? Jesus’ story pushes us to see and respond to those who are suffering. This might mean helping someone who feels alone, standing up for someone being mistreated, or sharing what we have with those who have less.

At its heart, the Good Samaritan story fits into Catholic teaching because it reflects the core message of the Gospel: love God and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). By living this out, we make God’s love visible in the world. Jesus tells us to “go and do likewise.” When we do, we answer His call to be His hands and feet, bringing mercy and hope to those around us.

Music Suggestions

• Can We Love? by Tom Booth
• Love The Lord by Lincoln Brewster
• Hold Us Together by Matt Maher

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