“And Who Is My Neighbor?” (Those in Need)

“And Who Is My Neighbor?” (Those in Need)

Pastor Josiah Nordgren

October 19, 2025

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.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭25‬-‭28‬ (NIV)‬‬

Genuine for Jesus will grow a genuine for others. 

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

‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭29‬ (NIV)‬‬

Your neighbor is anyone in .

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.’”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭30‬-‭35‬ (NIV)‬‬

The mind of Christ moves you beyond . 

“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.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭36‬-‭37‬ ‭(NIV)‬‬

with who God has put in of you. 

Discussion Questions

This week we continued in our series, The Mind of Christ. In Philippians 2:5, the Apostle Paul says: “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”

Each week we’re looking at how the mind of Christ engages, speaks, and behaves in different relationships.  Today we focused on how the Mind of Christ looks toward our neighbors. 

We defined “neighbors” not as someone who necessarily lives next to us, but rather anyone who is in need.  

1. Read Luke 10:25-37.  What stuck out to you most from the Scriptures or the sermon? How can you apply that to your life?
2. Why do you think it matters to Christ that we love others well?
3. When it comes to loving your neighbor, what are some barriers you encounter? Why do you “walk on the other side of the road” like the priest and Levite in this story?
4. Who is your neighbor? Who is someone that God has put in your path to love? 
5. What is one thing you can do for them this week? (Create a text thread and let one another know when you’ve done it this week!)
6. Pray.