Ripple Effects Reading Plan – W4D1

Check out all the previous Ripple Effect readings here.

Ripple Effect Reading | Week 4 | Day 1

Prayer

As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present. Ask Him to teach you more about Himself today.

Bible Reading: Luke 10:25-37

Read these verses three times slowly.

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

He answered, “‘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, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Reflection & Questions

In our final week of Ripple Effect readings, we are going to consider the faith it takes to serve. Serving takes stepping out of our comfort zone, crossing social boundaries, paying a cost, and even sometimes lying (yep – we will get to that in a couple of days). If we’re waiting for serving to be easy and convenient, we won’t ever jump in. Jesus wants us to step out in faith and see how He helps, empowers and answers.

Today’s verses are a perfect example of this idea. It’s a well known story, “The Good Samaritan.” Samaritans and Jews were well-known to be enemies because of their differing beliefs. It was so bad that Jews when traveling across their country would literally walk around the region of Samaria, taking an extra week of travel, rather than step foot in their enemy’s land.

This is what makes this story so shocking. Not only is it about a Samaritan and a Jew in each other’s presence – that was enough – it is about a Samaritan helping a Jew! The Jews listening would have been incredulous. The Samaritan doesn’t just dust the Jew off. He “bandaged his wounds,” “brought him to an inn,” and paid “any extra expense” for his care. Incredible.

But this is what serving in Jesus’ Kingdom looks like. We step across social boundaries. And we don’t just do it half-heartedly. We go all in. When Jesus calls us to love others, He really means it! “Go and do likewise,” He said.

1. Who are people that you don’t associate with because of beliefs or social norms?
2. Would it be difficult for you to serve them? Why or why not? How does this story challenge you today?

Prayer

Pray in response to today’s reading.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:

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Questions?