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Video - NT: Parable of the Good Samaritan - Border control

A YouTube video called ‘Border control’ provides a fun way to reflect on the Bible story of the parable of the Good Samaritan.

This commercial video features a border guard at a checkpoint who is surprised to see people from the other side of the border offering him Coca Cola as a gesture of friendship. The accompanying activities help the children reflect on this and how it relates to the parable. 

This idea is part of a comprehensive Sunday school lesson focusing on Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan, as recounted in Luke 10: 30-37. 

View the idea below... 

 

Video%20-%20NT%20Parable%20of%20the%20Good%20Samaritan%20-%20Border%20control-c90b58d4 Video - NT: Parable of the Good Samaritan - Border control

What you need:

  • paper and pencils
  • chairs, pillows, or other objects to create a barrier
  • a selection of snacks divided into two groups

Downloads:

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Download the complete activity

To make it easier for you, you can download the whole activity below or use the individuals parts of the activity below.

Why is this video relevant to today's Bible story?

The Parable of the Good Samaritan teaches us the importance of breaking down barriers and showing kindness to others, no matter how different they may seem. The Coca Cola commercial "Border Control" illustrates this same message in a modern-day context. By using both the parable and the commercial in Sunday school activities, we can help children understand the power of breaking down barriers and showing kindness to others. Here are some activities that you can use to teach this important lesson to children.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, the priest and Levite stay at the border, as they cannot touch a person who is dead or appears dead, as it would make them unclean. They do everything by the book. The Samaritan crosses the border. Typically, a Samaritan would never talk to or help a Jew. But this Samaritan does not see a Jewish man; he sees a human being - his neighbour.

Important questions:

It is important to always watch the video yourself beforehand and ask yourself:

- Do I want to show this to the children?
- Does this video fit within the context and age group of the children I am working with?

If you choose to use this YouTube video within children's work, we suggest the following steps:

 

Activity 1: Story Retelling

Divide the children into small groups and assign each group a different part of the parable of the Good Samaritan to act out.

Activity 2: Watch the video ‘Border control’

Then, show the Coca Cola commercial "Border Control" and ask the children to discuss how the commercial is similar to or different from the part of the parable they acted out.

The Coca Cola commercial "Border Control" can be related to the Parable of the Good Samaritan in several ways:

- Both emphasise the importance of breaking down barriers and showing kindness to those who may be seen as outsiders. In the commercial, the border guard is initially suspicious of the people from the other side of the border, but is then won over by their friendly gesture of offering him a Coca Cola. Similarly, in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, the Samaritan crosses the border of societal norms by helping a man who would traditionally be seen as an outsider.

- Both the commercial and the parable encourage us to look beyond our differences and to see the humanity in all people. They remind us that small acts of kindness can go a long way in breaking down barriers and promoting understanding and compassion.

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Make sure that you download the video on your laptop or pc before you show it to the children / teenagers. If you rely on the Wi-Fi in the premises, there is chance that the internet connection won't work.

You can download any YouTube video using: www.safefrom.net / www.keepvid.com

Activity 3: Barriers and bridges

Set up a physical barrier in the room using chairs, pillows, or other objects. Have the children work together to create a "bridge" over the barrier using their bodies. Once they have successfully crossed the barrier, discuss how it feels to be on the other side and how it relates to the Parable of the Good Samaritan and the Coca Cola commercial "Border Control."

Activity 4: Kindness cards

Provide each child with a blank index card and ask them to decorate it with a picture and a kind message. Encourage them to think about how they can break down barriers and show kindness to others in their daily lives. Once the cards are complete, have the children exchange them with each other or give them to someone outside of the group.

Activity 5: Barrier breaking snacks

Provide a selection of snacks that are divided into two groups, such as salty and sweet or crunchy and soft. Ask the children to pair up and share a snack with someone who has a different snack than they do. As they eat, discuss how it feels to try something new and how it relates to the Parable of the Good Samaritan and the Coca Cola commercial "Border Control."

Activity 6: Reflection and drawing

After completing the previous activities, have the children reflect on what they learned. Show them the Coca Cola commercial "Border Control" again, and ask them to think about how the commercial illustrates the message of the parable of the Good Samaritan. Then, give each child a piece of paper and a pencil and ask them to draw a picture of a time when they broke down a barrier or showed kindness to someone who was different from them.

Conclusion:

By using the Parable of the Good Samaritan and the Coca Cola commercial "Border Control" in Sunday school activities, we can help children understand the power of breaking down barriers and showing kindness to others.

Through these activities, children can learn how to be a good neighbour and how to create a more inclusive and compassionate community. Breaking down barriers is an important part of living a faithful life, and we hope that these activities will inspire children to continue looking for opportunities to break down barriers and show kindness to others in their daily lives.

 

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