Have you ever seen someone sitting alone at school?
Or noticed a friend who looked sad?
Maybe someone in your family was tired and needed a little help.
Sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness can make the biggest difference.
Jesus once told a story that shows us what it means to be a neighbour to someone in need.
It means choosing to help.
That story is called The Parable of the Good Samaritan, and you can find it in Luke 10:25–37.
Today, let's discover what Jesus wanted to teach us — and try one simple activity to put His message into practice.
The Good Samaritan Story for Kids
One day, an expert in the religious law was talking with Jesus about loving God and loving our neighbour. He asked:
"Who is my neighbour?"
Instead of giving a long explanation, Jesus told a story.
A Traveller Who Needed Help
A man was travelling along a road from Jerusalem to Jericho.
Suddenly, robbers attacked him.
They took his belongings, hurt him, and left him lying beside the road.
The man was badly injured.
He needed someone to help him.
After a while, a priest came walking down the road.
He saw the injured man.
But instead of stopping, he passed by on the other side.
Later, a Levite—a man from a group with duties connected to the Temple—came along.
He also saw the traveller.
But he too continued walking.
The injured man was still alone.
Someone Unexpected Stops
Then another traveller came down the road.
He was a Samaritan.
At that time, many Jews and Samaritans did not get along. That made the Samaritan an unexpected person to help the injured man.
But something important happened.
When the Samaritan saw the man, he felt compassion.
He didn't just feel sorry for him.
He stopped and helped.
The Samaritan cared for the man's wounds, placed him on his own animal, and took him to an inn where he could rest and recover.
The next day, he gave the innkeeper money to continue caring for the man and promised to repay any extra costs when he returned.
The Samaritan did not let the divisions between communities stop him from helping.
He saw someone who needed help and chose to act with kindness.
Jesus Asks One More Question
After telling the story, Jesus asked which of the three travellers had been a neighbour to the injured man.
The answer was clear.
It was the one who showed mercy.
Then Jesus gave a simple instruction:
"Go, and do thou likewise." — Luke 10:37 (KJV)
In other words:
"Go and show that same kindness to others."
What Does the Good Samaritan Teach Children?
The Good Samaritan teaches us three important lessons about love.
1. Kindness Begins With Noticing
Sometimes we're so busy thinking about ourselves that we don't notice when someone needs help.
Maybe a classmate is sitting alone.
Maybe a younger sibling is struggling to put away their toys.
Maybe a grandparent would appreciate a visit.
Being kind begins with paying attention.
Ask your child: "Have you ever noticed someone who needed a little help?"
2. Love Is Something We Do
The Samaritan could have walked away like the others.
Instead, he made a different choice.
He gave his time, attention, and resources to help someone in need.
Jesus teaches us that love is more than a feeling.
We can express love through our actions.
Ask your child: "What's one small thing you can do to show someone you care?"
3. Everyone Deserves Kindness
The Samaritan helped someone who was different from himself.
That is an important part of the story.
We shouldn't show kindness only to people who are our best friends or who are exactly like us.
We can also be welcoming and compassionate towards people who are new, different, lonely, or left out.
Ask your child: "How can we help someone feel welcome, even if we don't know them very well?"
A Simple Good Samaritan Activity: Who Can I Help Today?
Now comes the most meaningful part of the lesson.
Let's turn the story into action.
This activity is called The Seeing Heart Challenge.
It's inspired by the idea that a caring heart notices when someone needs help.
Recommended ages: 4–10
Time needed: 5–10 minutes to begin, followed by one kind action during the day
Materials: A piece of paper and coloured pencils
Step 1: Draw a Big Heart
Give your child a sheet of paper.
Ask them to draw a large heart in the centre.
Inside the heart, write:
"I Can See. I Can Care. I Can Help."
Explain that we want to learn to notice other people's needs, just like the Good Samaritan.
Step 2: Think of Someone Who Needs Kindness
Invite your child to think about the people around them.
It could be someone at home, school, church, or in their community.
Ask:
"Who can I help today?"
Let your child answer freely.
They might mention a friend, a family member, or someone they know who is having a difficult day.
Step 3: Choose One Small Act of Kindness
Help your child choose just one action they can do today.
Here are a few ideas:
- Invite a classmate who feels left out to join a game.
- Help a younger sibling tidy up their toys.
- Draw a cheerful picture for someone who is sad.
- Offer to help a parent or grandparent with a simple household task.
- Share something appropriate with a friend who needs it.
- Say something encouraging to someone having a difficult day.
- Ask a trusted adult to help someone who is hurt or in trouble.
Before helping, encourage your child to ask, “Would you like some help?” Respect the person’s answer.
Remind your child that kindness should always be safe.
If someone is seriously injured, if a situation seems dangerous, or if a stranger needs assistance, children should find a trusted adult rather than trying to handle the situation themselves. Getting adult help is itself a caring action. Kindness never requires going somewhere with a stranger or accepting behaviour that makes them feel unsafe.
Step 4: Put Kindness Into Action
Now it's time to do the good deed!
Encourage your child to follow through with their chosen act of kindness.
It doesn't need to be dramatic.
Sometimes saying "Would you like to play with us?" or "Can I help you?" can make someone's day brighter.
Step 5: Return to the Heart
At the end of the day, look at the drawing together.
Ask your child to draw a small symbol inside the heart representing what they did.
For example:
A smile for cheering someone up.
A hand for helping someone.
A flower for showing care.
Then ask:
"How did your action help? What did you notice?"
If there was no opportunity to complete the action, talk about what you could try another day. This is an invitation to practise care, not a scorecard.
You can keep the completed heart somewhere visible as a reminder of the Good Samaritan's example.
Three Family Questions About the Good Samaritan
After reading the story and completing the activity, take a few minutes to talk together.
1. Why Was the Samaritan Different From the Other Travellers?
Help your child recognise that the Samaritan didn't simply notice the injured man.
He chose to help. Jesus does not tell us why the other two passed by, so we should not invent their motives.
Talk about the difference between seeing someone in need and taking a loving action.
2. Can Someone Be Our Neighbour Even if We Don't Know Them?
Explain that Jesus uses the word "neighbour" to teach us about showing mercy.
Being a good neighbour isn't limited to living next door or being friends with someone.
It means choosing compassion when we encounter another person's needs.
3. What Is One Kind Thing Our Family Can Do This Week?
Invite everyone to suggest a simple action.
Perhaps your family can prepare a meal for someone, make cards for people who feel lonely, donate suitable items to a community charity, or help a neighbour with a task.
Choose something realistic and do it together.
A Short Good Samaritan Prayer for Kids
Finish your activity with a simple prayer.
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for teaching us about the Good Samaritan.
Help us notice when others need kindness.
Give us caring hearts and the courage to make good choices.
Teach us to help people with love and respect.
Help us remember that everyone deserves compassion.
May our words and actions show Your love.
Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Good Samaritan for Kids
What is the main message of the Good Samaritan?
The main lesson is that loving our neighbour means showing mercy and compassion through our actions. Jesus teaches that we should care for people in need, even when they are different from us.
Where is the Good Samaritan story in the Bible?
The Parable of the Good Samaritan is found in Luke 10:25–37.
Why did the Samaritan help the injured man?
Jesus says the Samaritan felt compassion for the injured traveller. He showed that compassion by stopping, caring for his wounds, and arranging a safe place for him to recover.
How can I explain the Good Samaritan to a 5-year-old?
You can say: "Jesus told a story about a man who was hurt. Some people walked past him, but one kind man stopped to help. Jesus wants us to notice when people need help and show kindness too."
What is an easy Good Samaritan activity for Sunday school?
The Seeing Heart Challenge is a simple option. Children draw a heart, choose one safe act of kindness, and later share how they helped someone. It works in classrooms, at church, or at home.
Continue the Story With The Secret of the Seeing Heart
The Secret of the Seeing Heart
This illustrated children’s book is inspired by the Good Samaritan and explores mercy, compassion and the choice to care for others.
Read it together, then choose one safe act of kindness from the Seeing Heart Challenge above.
Explore the BookOne Small Choice Can Make a Difference
You don't have to do something extraordinary to follow the Good Samaritan's example.
Sometimes, love begins with one small moment.
Noticing someone who is sad.
Helping someone who is struggling.
Choosing kindness when it would be easier to walk away.
Today, ask your child one simple question: "Who can I help?" Then choose one safe, loving action together.