How is the parable 'the good samaritan' important to the lives of teenagers today?

Answer 1

The message of The Bible is timeless. Jesus' parables are "spiritual lessons" for the growth and development of Righteous Godly Character in a Trusting, Faithful man -- as well as being illustrations of the coming Kingdom [Government] of God.

Matthew Henry is often a good place to go for glimpses into the spiritual aspect of what the Bible is saying to God's Children. The bottom line is that "human nature" [the "carnal mind" - the "spirit" in man] is "HOSTILE" and rebellious to God, His ways and His laws [see Rom.8:7]... and that the Bible points to a time when God will "change" it.

"...WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED." (I Cor.15:51)

"...all the days of my appointed time will I wait, TILL MY CHANGE COME." (Job 14:14)

Regarding the relevance of the "Good Samaritan" parable for today - Matthew Henry says:

"...If we speak of Eternal Life, and the way to it, in a careless manner, we take the name of God in vain. No one will ever love God and his neighbor with any measure of pure, spiritual love, who is not made a partaker of converting Grace. But the proud heart of a man strives hard against these convictions. Christ gave an instance of a poor Jew in distress, relieved by a good Samaritan. This poor man fell among thieves, who left him about to die of his wounds. He was slighted by those who should have been his friends, and was cared for by a stranger, a Samaritan, of the nation which the Jews most despised and detested, and would have no dealings with. It is lamentable to observe how selfishness governs all ranks; how many excuses men will make to avoid trouble or expense in relieving others.

"But the true Christian has the law of love written in his heart. The Spirit of Christ dwells in him; Christ's image is renewed in his soul. The parable is a beautiful explanation of the law of loving our neighbor as ourselves, without regard to nation, party, or any other distinction.

"It also sets forth the Kindness and Love of God our Saviour toward sinful, miserable men. We were like this poor, distressed traveler. Satan, our enemy, has robbed us, and wounded us: such is the mischief sin has done us. The blessed Jesus had compassion on us. The believer considers that Jesus loved him, and gave His life for him, when an enemy and a rebel; and having shown him Mercy, He bids him go and do likewise. It is the duty of us all, in our places, and according to our ability, to succor, help, and relieve all that are in distress and necessity."

(Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary: Luke 10:25-37; The good Samaritan)

The world is still in dire need of this kind of Love and Compassion. Perhaps now more than ever. The biggest problem in the world has always been a SPIRITUAL one. The timeless spiritual lessons of God's Word [especially the parables] will always be relevant to any time and any generation of men... until Jesus returns and "changes" us all.

Answer 2

For Christian teenagers the message of the parable "love your neighbor as you love yourself" is an important guideline for living a godly life. The Bible exhorts Christians to consider others as more important than themselves.

For non christian teenagers this can be an ideal to live for but without the power of God's Holy Spirit they will find it hard to achieve.