New
New
Year 5

Interpreting the Good Samaritan today

I can explain how the Good Samaritan Parable influences some Christians to stand up against injustice.

New
New
Year 5

Interpreting the Good Samaritan today

I can explain how the Good Samaritan Parable influences some Christians to stand up against injustice.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Many Christians interpret the Good Samaritan to mean that they should speak up for those on the margins of society.
  2. Some Christians are inspired by the parable to campaign against unjust laws and challenge power.
  3. Oscar Romero was a Catholic Bishop in El Salvador. He stood up against unjust power in his country and was assassinated.
  4. Oscar Romero was made a saint by the Catholic Church and inspires many Catholics to protest against unjust power.

Keywords

  • Compassion - showing care and concern for the sufferings of others

  • Injustice - a lack of fairness

  • Parable - a short story that usually has a deeper meaning

Common misconception

Christians today would not challenge people in power or laws they feel are unjust.

Some Christians do campaign against unjust laws and have done so throughout history.


To help you plan your year 5 religious education lesson on: Interpreting the Good Samaritan today, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

There is a beautiful animation of the life of Oscar Romero for Key Stage 2 pupils on the Cafod website as part of their education resources. The website of the Church of St Nicolas of Tolentino in Bristol provides more information on the many activities for justice undertaken by the parish.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Put these parts of the Good Samaritan story in the correct order.
1 - A man who is travelling is robbed and left injured.
2 - A priest walks past but does not help.
3 - A Levite walks past but does not help.
4 - A Samaritan passes by, stops, and helps.
Q2.
Why did Jesus tell the Parable of the Good Samaritan?
to teach people to be kind to animals
to tell a true story about a journey
Correct answer: to answer the question, ‘Who is my neighbour?’
Q3.
What is the key message of the Parable of the Good Samaritan?
to always obey the rules exactly
Correct answer: to show love and compassion to everyone
to help only people you know
Q4.
What is the deeper meaning of the parable?
Correct answer: it shows that even enemies can be neighbours
it shows that only priests are good people
it shows that you should be kind only to people you like
Q5.
Where is the Parable of the Good Samaritan found?
in the Old Testament
in the Book of Psalms
Correct answer: in the Gospel of Luke

Assessment exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Oscar Romero was a Catholic bishop who spoke out for the in El Salvador.
Correct Answer: poor, Poor, oppressed
Q2.
Why did Oscar Romero speak out against the government of El Salvador?
to gain power and fame
to help those in power
Correct answer: to stand up for the poor and oppressed
Q3.
How did Oscar Romero follow the example of the Good Samaritan?
by helping the rich
by ignoring injustice
Correct answer: by helping those suffering and speaking against injustice
Q4.
Do Christians today challenge unjust power?
no, they avoid politics
Correct answer: yes, some Christians campaign against unjust laws
no, they only focus on personal faith
Q5.
Why was Oscar Romero assassinated?
he was promoting violence
he refused to speak about politics
Correct answer: he spoke out against injustice and the government