Who Is My Neighbor? | The Story Before the Story | Pastor Jamie Kemp

In Luke 10:25-29, before Jesus tells the Parable of the Good Samaritan, an expert in the law tests Him with a question:  “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Jesus responds by pointing back to the commandments to love God and love your neighbor.  But when the man presses further - “Who is my neighbor?” - Jesus tells the story.

This “story before the story” show us three truths:

1. Every story has tough tests:  Following Jesus means our faith will be tested, not to make us fail but to strengthen us (James 1:2-4).

2.  Every story has unanswered questions:  Life brings pain, grief, and mystery, but God is present with us even when we don’t have all the answers (Psalm 56:8).

3.  Every story is deeply personal:  Jesus meets people differently depending on their need, and His call to “be the neighbor” challenges us to show compassion and love beyond our comfort zones.

Ultimately, the Gospel reminds us that we were once outsiders, but Jesus calls us His neighbors and welcomes us into God’s family (Ephesians 2:13).  The call is not just to “love our neighbor,” but to “be the neighbor” - reflecting Christ’s mercy to everyone around us.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. When have you experienced a “test” in your faith?  How did it shape or strengthen your relationship with God?
2. Why do you think God sometimes leaves our questions unanswered?  How do you personally deal with uncertainty or doubt?
3. Jesus’ response to people was always personal.  How has He uniquely met you in your story?
4. Who in your life right now might God be asking you to “be the neighbor” to?  What makes that difficult or challenging?
5. How does remembering “we were once outsiders” change the way we treat others who are different from us?