Let’s be honest - most of us choose what’s easiest most of the time. But when convenience sits on the throne of our lives, it distorts our perspective. This week, we’re asking: What are we missing when we let convenience talk us out of the adventure Jesus is offering - especially when it comes to the people around us?

Discussion

1. Revisit and read Luke 10:25-37. You’ve probably heard the story of the Good Samaritan before. What did you learn from the message this weekend that you hadn’t noticed or thought about before?

2. The expert in the law hoped to limit his responsibility (and feel good about himself without needing to change) by asking who counted as his neighbor. But Jesus shifts the focus from who deserves our help to how we respond to people who can’t help themselves. How have you found was to justify keeping your distance from someone in need?

3. Loving like the Samaritan is costly, personal, and inconvenient - but it’s what God is calling us to. How does that truth land with you? In what ways do you find yourself immediately shying away or hearing the justifications you named in the previous question?

4. If we’re not going out of our way to help people on our way, we’re not walking in Jesus’ way. Who’s already in the path of your everyday life who needs help? What might it cost you to show this kind of inconvenient love - and how might your love rewrite their story?

5. The world will keep telling you who does and doesn’t deserve your help. How will you hold on to the truth of this story? What’s one practical step you’ll take this week toward the person in your path - regardless of someone else’s label?

Application

• Notice. Ask God to open your eyes to someone “on the side of the road” in your life this week.
• Move Toward. When you see them, don’t let yourself walk by.
• Be Inconvenienced. God’s love is more important (and better) than your schedule or to-do list.