- Have you ever had an urgent need that someone responded to? How did they help you? Have you ever considered your eternal destiny or the eternal destiny of unbelievers as an urgent need?
- Read Luke 10:25. The expert in the law asked the most important question we can ask about eternal life. But notice the way he asks it, “What must I DO…” possibly proposing a works-based salvation. Why can’t we work our way to eternal life? Why must we receive it, not earn it? Why is it impossible to love and serve others LIKE the Good Samaritan until we realize our need FOR the Good Samaritan?
- Considering that same question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”, read Luke 10:27, Luke 18:18-23, Act 16:31, John 3:16. Are these different answers or the same answer? If the same, how do you reconcile them?
- Read Luke 10:29. The expert wanted to justify himself, to show that he was worthy of eternal life by his own value or efforts. What are some ways that Christians try to justify their lack of grace towards others? Is there any time when we should avoid the inconvenience of helping someone?
- Read Luke 10:33-35. In your own words, define mercy. In honest evaluation of yourself, are you a good neighbour showing mercy to others? Are there people (specifically or generally) that you avoid? What step can you take to get beyond this roadblock?
- If we shouldn’t count the cost or risk of showing mercy to someone, what should we count? (Hint: 1 John 4:7, 1 Cor 16:14)
- What is one way you can ‘go and do likewise’ this week?
