Be The Dads – Session 13 – Be The Neighbor

Moving from “Who qualifies?” to “Who am I becoming?”

🎥 Sermon Source

This session is based on the message:
“Mr. Rogers Got It Wrong” from the series “The Stories of Jesus” by Pastor Josh Jamison.

👉 Watch the full sermon here:
https://www.youtube.com/live/OpDUNqNdruI?si=HevQq2ZVbX0OsV-A

Why the Good Samaritan Lesson Matters for Dads

This Good Samaritan lesson for dads challenges us to move beyond knowing the right thing, as dads, we don’t just teach our kids what love is—we model what love does.

The way we:

  • respond to inconvenience
  • treat people who are different
  • show up in messy situations

➡️ becomes the blueprint our kids follow.

This isn’t just about being “nice.”
This is about reflecting the heart of God in real life.

Good Samaritan Core Scripture (Luke 10:36–37)

📖 Luke 10:36–37 (NLT)
“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”
Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
🔗 https://www.bible.com/bible/116/LUK.10.36-37.NLT

The Good Samaritan Big Idea: Am I Being a Neighbor?

👉 The Kingdom question is not:
“Who is my neighbor?”

👉 The Kingdom question is:
“Am I being a neighbor?”

Good Samaritan Lessons for Dads: Key Truths from the Sermon

1. Being a Neighbor Starts with Seeing

📖 Matthew 9:36 (NLT)
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion…”

Insight:

The priest and Levite saw—but didn’t engage.
The Samaritan saw—and was moved.

👉 You cannot love what you refuse to notice.

For Dads:

If you’re always rushed, distracted, or checked out…
you’ll miss the very people God put in front of you.

🔗 Relevant BeTheDads Posts

2. Being a Neighbor Requires Inconvenience

📖 Proverbs 3:27–28 (NLT)
“Do not withhold good… when it’s in your power to help…”

Insight:

Love rarely fits your schedule.

The Samaritan:

  • stopped his journey
  • changed his plans
  • gave his time

👉 Love that costs nothing accomplishes nothing.

🔗 Relevant BeTheDads Posts

3. Being a Neighbor Goes Beyond Minimum Effort

📖 1 John 3:17–18 (NLT)
“Let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”

Insight:

The Samaritan didn’t just help—he fully invested:

  • bandaged wounds
  • transported him
  • paid for care
  • committed to follow-up

👉 God’s love is extravagant, not minimal.

🔗 Relevant BeTheDads Posts

4. The Gospel Changes Everything

📖 Romans 5:8 (NLT)
“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

📖 Ephesians 2:4–5 (NLT)
“God is so rich in mercy… he gave us life…”

Insight:

👉 You were the one on the road.
👉 Jesus was the one who stopped.

We don’t love to earn anything—
we love because we’ve already been rescued.

🔗 Relevant BeTheDads Posts

  • https://bethedads.com/2023/05/be-the-dads-who-model-how-to-live-a-life-that-reflects-jesus/
  • https://bethedads.com/2023/10/love-one-another-2/

Good Samaritan Discussion Questions for Dads

1. Good Samaritan Reflection: Where Do You Pass By?

Starter Thought:
Think about your daily rhythms—work, home, errands. Where do you tend to avoid people or situations?

Follow-Up:

  • Is it busyness?
  • Discomfort?
  • Judgment?

🔗 Relevant BeTheDads Posts

2. Good Samaritan Reflection: Why Do We Limit Our Love?

Starter Thought:
The lawyer wanted a boundary. We often do too.

Follow-Up:

  • What makes someone “hard to love” for you?
  • How does that show up at home?

🔗 Relevant BeTheDads Posts

  • https://bethedads.com/2023/06/strangers-making-a-difference-one-at-a-time/
  • https://bethedads.com/2023/10/love-one-another-2/

3. Good Samaritan Reflection: What Does Inconvenient Love Look Like?

Starter Thought:
Not theoretical—real life this week.

Examples:

  • A struggling spouse
  • A kid needing attention when you’re tired
  • A coworker or neighbor

🔗 Relevant BeTheDads Posts

4. Good Samaritan Reflection: Pre-Deciding Your “Yes” to God

Starter Thought:
You won’t choose well in the moment unless you decide beforehand.

Follow-Up:

  • What would it look like to wake up saying:
    “God, interrupt me today”?

🔗 Relevant BeTheDads Posts

  • https://bethedads.com/2023/03/gifts-use-them-for-gods-glory/
  • https://bethedads.com/2023/05/be-the-dads-who-model-how-to-live-a-life-that-reflects-jesus/

5. Good Samaritan Reflection: How the Gospel Shapes Your Love

Starter Thought:
You weren’t rescued because you deserved it.

Follow-Up:

  • Who in your life needs that same undeserved grace?

🔗 Relevant BeTheDads Posts

  • https://bethedads.com/2023/05/be-the-dads-who-model-how-to-live-a-life-that-reflects-jesus/
  • https://bethedads.com/2023/10/love-one-another-2/

Good Samaritan Challenge for Dads: See. Stop. Serve.

“See. Stop. Serve.”

Pick one intentional moment this week to:

  1. SEE – Notice someone you would normally overlook
  2. STOP – Interrupt your schedule
  3. SERVE – Take real action (not just intention)

Examples:

  • Have a real conversation with your child
  • Help someone without being asked
  • Pray with someone, not just for them
  • Meet a tangible need

👉 Then share the story next session.

🔗 Relevant BeTheDads Posts

Living Out the Good Samaritan This Week

📖 Luke 10:37 (NLT)
“Now go and do the same.”

Prayer Focus:

  • Ask God to slow you down
  • Ask for eyes to see people
  • Ask for a willing heart to be interrupted
  • Ask for courage to act

Good Samaritan Final Takeaway for Dads

Your kids don’t need a dad who:

  • knows the right answers
  • talks about love

They need a dad who:

  • lives it out in real time

👉 The question this week isn’t:
“Who is my neighbor?”

👉 It’s:
“Did I choose to be one?”

Good Samaritan Leadership Moment for Group Leaders

Push beyond surface answers:

  • If guys stay general → ask for specific examples
  • If they deflect → bring it back to home life
  • If it gets quiet → that’s where growth is happening

👉 The goal is not information—it’s transformation.

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