The Good Samaritan,* Part I
Pastoral Resources
Gospel-Telling
The Art and Theology of Children's Sermons
Season: Any
Summary: God's love makes it possible for anyone to be a Good Samaritan.
Introduction: One day Jesus was tested with this question: "If I am supposed to love my neighbor as myself, who is my neighbor?" Jesus answered by telling a story - this story. I ask that you pay attention because I'll be telling the story again and asking you to join me by being an echo.
I am who I am (point to yourself).
One day I put on my sandals (pretend to put on sandals),
and my traveling cloak (mimic slipping arms into loose cloak).
I took my money bag (hold imaginary bag in fist),
and hid it in my belt (mimic tucking it in wide belt).
Then I started on my way (walk in place)
from Jerusalem to Jericho (sweep arm in wide arc),
up hill and down hill (lean backward, lean forward),
past dark caves where robbers might hide (look fearful).
I pretended I wasn't afraid (stand straight, hands clasped behind back);
but all of a sudden I was surrounded by robbers (arms go up),
and one of them hit me (crouch as if to protect self);
that was the last thing I remember (bend further down).
After a while (cup hand to ear),
I heard footsteps (cross arms, slapping hands on arms).
The footsteps grew louder (slap more loudly).
It was a priest (stop slapping; hold arms akimbo).
He said, "Can't stop now, sonny" (look down and shake head),
"but I'll come back later" (wave good--bye).
After a while (cup hand to ear),
I heard new footsteps (raise hands to shoulder level; snap fingers).
It was a Levite (continue snapping fingers).
He said, "Too bad, too bad" (shake head);
then he went on his way (wave good--bye).
Soon I heard other footsteps (slap thighs, one after the other).
It was a Samaritan on a donkey (continue thigh--slapping).
"Whoa! Need any help?" (mimic pulling reins, lean over and look down).
Then he jumped down (jump up and down once),
and took off his cloak (mimic taking off cloak),
tore it into strips (pretend to tear strips of cloth),
and bandaged my wounds (mimic rolling bandages on wounded areas).
He lifted me onto his donkey (mimic lifting and placing body gently),
and slowly we went on our way (slap thighs more slowly),
until we came to an inn (mimic pulling back on reins).
He carried me inside (arms outstretched in carrying position),
and laid me on a bed (pretend to place body on bed).
"Here is some money," he said to the innkeeper (mimic taking coins from bag);
"I will pay all that is owed" (pretend to tuck money bag back in belt).
Then he went on his way (slap thighs).
Now I ask you (point finger at listeners),
which one loved me as a neighbor? (Point as if to three distinct persons)
The priest who said, "Can't stop now, sonny" (hold arms akimbo);
the Levite who said, "Too bad, too bad" (snap fingers once);
or the Good Samaritan (slap hands on thighs)?
Go thou (point to one side of congregation),
and do likewise (swing arm to other side of congregation).
____________
*Adapted from "Living the Word," Level 4 (Winter 1979--1980), JED curriculum.
Summary: God's love makes it possible for anyone to be a Good Samaritan.
Introduction: One day Jesus was tested with this question: "If I am supposed to love my neighbor as myself, who is my neighbor?" Jesus answered by telling a story - this story. I ask that you pay attention because I'll be telling the story again and asking you to join me by being an echo.
I am who I am (point to yourself).
One day I put on my sandals (pretend to put on sandals),
and my traveling cloak (mimic slipping arms into loose cloak).
I took my money bag (hold imaginary bag in fist),
and hid it in my belt (mimic tucking it in wide belt).
Then I started on my way (walk in place)
from Jerusalem to Jericho (sweep arm in wide arc),
up hill and down hill (lean backward, lean forward),
past dark caves where robbers might hide (look fearful).
I pretended I wasn't afraid (stand straight, hands clasped behind back);
but all of a sudden I was surrounded by robbers (arms go up),
and one of them hit me (crouch as if to protect self);
that was the last thing I remember (bend further down).
After a while (cup hand to ear),
I heard footsteps (cross arms, slapping hands on arms).
The footsteps grew louder (slap more loudly).
It was a priest (stop slapping; hold arms akimbo).
He said, "Can't stop now, sonny" (look down and shake head),
"but I'll come back later" (wave good--bye).
After a while (cup hand to ear),
I heard new footsteps (raise hands to shoulder level; snap fingers).
It was a Levite (continue snapping fingers).
He said, "Too bad, too bad" (shake head);
then he went on his way (wave good--bye).
Soon I heard other footsteps (slap thighs, one after the other).
It was a Samaritan on a donkey (continue thigh--slapping).
"Whoa! Need any help?" (mimic pulling reins, lean over and look down).
Then he jumped down (jump up and down once),
and took off his cloak (mimic taking off cloak),
tore it into strips (pretend to tear strips of cloth),
and bandaged my wounds (mimic rolling bandages on wounded areas).
He lifted me onto his donkey (mimic lifting and placing body gently),
and slowly we went on our way (slap thighs more slowly),
until we came to an inn (mimic pulling back on reins).
He carried me inside (arms outstretched in carrying position),
and laid me on a bed (pretend to place body on bed).
"Here is some money," he said to the innkeeper (mimic taking coins from bag);
"I will pay all that is owed" (pretend to tuck money bag back in belt).
Then he went on his way (slap thighs).
Now I ask you (point finger at listeners),
which one loved me as a neighbor? (Point as if to three distinct persons)
The priest who said, "Can't stop now, sonny" (hold arms akimbo);
the Levite who said, "Too bad, too bad" (snap fingers once);
or the Good Samaritan (slap hands on thighs)?
Go thou (point to one side of congregation),
and do likewise (swing arm to other side of congregation).
____________
*Adapted from "Living the Word," Level 4 (Winter 1979--1980), JED curriculum.
