The Caring Stranger
Read Luke 10:25–37.
Here are some things that the Good Samaritan did to help care for the injured man. They are all jumbled up. Some of them are not in the written story, but we know that he must have done them.
Draw a line starting with the first thing he did to care for the injured man (in red) to the second, the third, and all the way to the last one (in blue).
He believed that it was important for him to be kind and helpful to others.
He saw that the man was from a different country. But he didn’t mind because caring for anyone in need is important.
He led his donkey very gently along the path to the next town.
He gave him water to drink.
He decided the injured man was too hurt to travel with him on a donkey.
He wanted to help the injured man.
He lifted the man onto his donkey even though it was difficult.
He took the man to the inn so that the man could rest in a quiet place.
He took care of the man’s cuts and bruises.
He noticed an injured man by the road.
He came back and paid the innkeeper for looking after the injured man until he was better.
The Good Samaritan on the Playground
Imagine that the story of the Good Samaritan took place in your schoolyard or a park near you. Imagine you are the Good Samaritan in the story—the person who cares and helps. Tell the story of being a Good Samaritan, and then write, draw, or act it out with your family.
A child is bullied on the playground, and they fall and cut their knee (make sure no one gets really hurt!). The child is bleeding and sad. Who ignores the child? How do you notice them? What do you do to take care of them? And where will you take them to get the care and love they need? Who helps you to help the child?
Let's Care
Here are some situations when you might need some help and care. How would you like to be cared for when these things happen, and what do you think other children might like?
A Time When You Need Care *** What would you like others to do for you? *** What might other children in this situation need you to do for them?
When you are in a new place and feel all alone
When everyone is playing and you are left out
When someone is teasing or bullying you
When you’ve forgotten your lunchbox and you’re hungry
When you’ve fallen and you’re bleeding and hurt
When you made a mistake and people are laughing at you
When all your friends are invited to a party and you are left out
Be a Sheep!
Read the story of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31–46.
Draw some fat and fluffy sheep shapes on paper and cut them out.
Draw a big heart on the back of each fluffy sheep.
Read the story and find out what the sheep did that was kind and caring (such as sharing food with a hungry person).
Write or draw one of these things inside each of the hearts on the sheep.
On the other side of each sheep, write the name of a person in the Bible who did kind things like these for others. For example, Dorcas made clothes for people who needed them. Hannah made a little coat for Samuel each year. Then write how your family could share clothes with others too.
Make a garland, mobile, wreath, or poster with your sheep to remind everyone in your family to be kind.
Kindness Kit
The Good Samaritan was ready to help! He had oil and bandages for the man’s wounds. Make a kindness kit for your backpack or family car and a few extra kindness kits to give away! Include sticky bandages for cuts, paper handkerchiefs, cereal bars or healthy snacks, shoelaces, string, pencils, hand gel, smiley stickers, juice cartons, a pair of socks, and more. Keep everything tucked neatly into a zipper pouch or bag so that it is ready and safe when you need something to help someone.
Make a Scene!
Use the toys you have, or use sticks, stones, sand, leaves, shells, and other natural materials to create the scenery for the story of the Good Samaritan.
Make some hills and a road from Jerusalem to Jericho.
Build a little inn for Jericho. Make sure it has a bed for the injured man to sleep on.
Make some rocks for the robbers to hide behind.
Find toys or twigs to represent the hurt man, two robbers, the priest, the Levite, the Good Samaritan, his donkey, and the innkeeper.
Now tell the story to your family using the scenery that you have made!
You could ask a parent to make a video of your story.
When We've Had a Tough Day . . .
What do you do when you have had a sad or tiring day? What helps you feel better again? And what helps the other people in your family feel better when they have had a tough day? Make a chart like this to go on your fridge, or write it on a whiteboard or blackboard:
NAME My day was ... This is how we can help each other feel better this evening ...
1 2 3 4 5
Mommy
Daddy
Me
Ideas to help each other might be:
• Say a short prayer for me
• Give me a big hug
• Listen to what happened to me
• Go for a peaceful stroll in nature with me
• Do something fun with me
• Help me by . . .
• Read a story with me
• Make my favorite drink or food
• Have worship / read the Sabbath School lesson together
• Play a game together
• Kick a ball together
• Make something beautiful
• Watch a video of funny or interesting animals that care for each other, like dolphins, seaotters, meerkats, and monkeys
• Remind me how much God loves me
Kindness in Church
Is there someone in your church who needs help? What can your family do to make their life happier or more comfortable?
How can you help them? Invite other people to help too.
Clean up the yard of a person who is unable to do their own work.
Make food for them. Invite them to your home.
Ask them to come with you on a day trip.
How can you and your family encourage your church to be the kindest church in your whole town?
