Rotation.org Writing Team

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

"GO and DO Likewise"

A Mission and Outreach Project

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.”  ...  Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”  Luke 10:27, 37b

The Parable of the Good Samaritan is a story that calls for action. One of the objectives of this lesson set is for the students to be able to identify persons "in need" within the their world (their "Jericho road") and think of actions they could take to show compassion and mercy to that person. This is a lesson set that cries out for a mission workshop or service project.

Because churches have different opportunities for "Samaritan activities" in their communities, this "workshop" is a collection of outreach suggestions with creative ideas for conducting them that you can adapt to your resources and the needs of your community.

The posts that follow contain a variety of ideas that can be adapted in many ways to suit your schedule and needs. Some ideas to consider:

• Choose a service activity or project from the suggestions below to use as a weekly mission workshop during your Good Samaritan rotation for each group to rotate to. Here is one suggested lesson plan.
• Schedule one special Sunday for kids to get involved in being good Samaritans with the rest of the congregation. Check out the post from Beth Tobin below for inspiration.
• Encourage each family to choose their own community service project and have them take pictures to share on your church's social media with a hashtag such as #OurChurchGoesAndDoesLikewise or #ProjectGoodSamaritan (be sure to tag Rotation.org, too, so we can see what you are doing!). Here are some ideas to start your brainstorming.
• What would you add?

Inspired to add mission projects regularly to your children's programming? Read our outline for The "Mission" Workshop to help you develop your plan for adding a regular opportunity for students to put into practice what they learned. Create a children's discipleship program where life application isn't just talked about or a "do later" subject. Make sure kids have an opportunity to "practice" in response to the Bible story's teaching.

  How does your congregation serve your neighbors? Add your mission/outreach GO and DO likewise ideas and events and pictures below to encourage and inspire others to go and do the same.