October 11, 2026
Ultimate Generosity
Sermon: Model of Generosity
Text: Luke 10: 30-37
Series: Practice Generosity
Speaker: Dr. Terry Kirby
Text: Luke 10: 30-37
Series: Practice Generosity
Speaker: Dr. Terry Kirby
CONTENTS
Click the links to go directly to a section in this post:
Sermon Talking Points
Main Takeaway
Sermon Summary
Blog Post
Living It Out
Small Group Discussion
Family Conversation
Prayer
Sermon Talking Points
Main Takeaway
Sermon Summary
Blog Post
Living It Out
Small Group Discussion
Family Conversation
Prayer
Sermon Talking Points
- Compassion is the foundation of generosity. We are called to see people and their needs with a heart that cares.
- Indifference keeps us moving. Busyness, uncertainty, and the assumption that someone else will help can keep us from responding.
- Generosity costs more than money. It may require our time, attention, skills, encouragement, or willingness to walk alongside someone.
- Compassion must lead to action. Feeling sorry for someone is not the same as offering meaningful help.
- Wisdom and compassion belong together. We can use good judgment while remaining willing to help people with genuine needs.
- Jesus calls us to go and do likewise. We are to show mercy to our neighbors and share the hope of Christ with those who need Him.
Main Takeaway
BIG IDEA: Compassion Drives Generosity
Generosity is more than giving money or possessions. It means offering our time, attention, wisdom, encouragement, practical help, and spiritual care to people in need. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus shows us that compassion must move us to action.
Key Verse
Luke 10:37 (NIV) - “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Generosity is more than giving money or possessions. It means offering our time, attention, wisdom, encouragement, practical help, and spiritual care to people in need. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus shows us that compassion must move us to action.
Key Verse
Luke 10:37 (NIV) - “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Sermon Summary
Jesus concludes with a clear instruction: “Go and do likewise.” This week, we are challenged to notice people in need and respond with compassionate action.
Memory Verse:
Luke 10:37 (NIV) - “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Luke 22:19 — “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Blog Post:
Compassion Drives Generosity
COMPASSION IN OUR HEARTS. GENEROSITY IN OUR ACTIONS.
Have you ever needed someone to help you? Maybe you needed a job opportunity, a recommendation, a little financial assistance, or simply someone willing to listen. When someone steps in at just the right time, their generosity can make a lasting difference.
Now consider this question: When have you had the opportunity to be that person for someone else?
In Luke 10:30–37, Jesus tells the familiar story of the Good Samaritan. A traveler is attacked by robbers, beaten, and left beside the road. A priest sees him and passes by. A Levite does the same. But a Samaritan stops.
The Samaritan does more than feel sorry for the injured man. He treats his wounds, provides transportation, takes him to an inn, pays for his care, and promises to cover additional expenses. His compassion changes the way he spends his time, uses his resources, and responds to another person's suffering.
Compassion moved him from noticing a need to meeting it.
WHEN WE PASS BY
It is easy to understand why we sometimes hesitate to help. Life is busy. Needs seem endless. We may wonder whether we have the right skills or resources, or assume someone else will step in.
And wisdom matters. We should be careful with personal information and use good judgment when a situation seems unsafe. But caution should not become indifference. We must not let the possibility of being taken advantage of keep us from caring about people with genuine needs.
The priest and Levite saw the injured man, but they did not stop. The Samaritan saw him and responded with mercy.
What do people experience when they encounter us? Do they see someone too busy to notice, or someone willing to care?
GENEROSITY IS MORE THAN MONEY
When we hear the word generosity, we often think about giving money or possessions. Those gifts matter, but generosity reaches much further.
We can give our time to someone who feels alone. We can share our experience with someone facing a difficult decision. We can encourage a discouraged friend, provide a meal for a family, serve a child in need, or help someone discover the hope found in Jesus.
At First Baptist Church, Pigeon Forge, ministries such as Tiger Packs and Operation Christmas Child give us practical ways to serve others. Supporting missions and caring for our neighbors also express compassion. Yet generosity is not limited to organized ministry. It can begin with the person God places in front of us today.
GO AND DO LIKEWISE
Jesus ended the parable with a simple command: “Go and do likewise.”
That instruction invites us to make compassion part of our everyday lives. Rather than asking only, “Who is my neighbor?” we can ask, “How can I be a neighbor to someone who needs help?”
This week, look for one opportunity to put compassion into action. Make a phone call. Offer encouragement. Share a meal. Give your time. Help meet a practical need. Or have a caring conversation with someone who needs to hear about Jesus.
You may not be able to solve every problem, but you can take a meaningful step toward someone who needs help.
Compassion in our hearts should become generosity in our actions.
A QUESTION TO CONSIDER
Who might God be asking you to notice—and how can you respond with compassion this week?
Prayer: Lord, give me eyes to see the needs around me and a heart that responds with compassion. Keep me from becoming so busy or guarded that I overlook opportunities to help. Show me how to use my time, gifts, resources, and words to serve others and share the hope of Jesus. Amen.
Have you ever needed someone to help you? Maybe you needed a job opportunity, a recommendation, a little financial assistance, or simply someone willing to listen. When someone steps in at just the right time, their generosity can make a lasting difference.
Now consider this question: When have you had the opportunity to be that person for someone else?
In Luke 10:30–37, Jesus tells the familiar story of the Good Samaritan. A traveler is attacked by robbers, beaten, and left beside the road. A priest sees him and passes by. A Levite does the same. But a Samaritan stops.
The Samaritan does more than feel sorry for the injured man. He treats his wounds, provides transportation, takes him to an inn, pays for his care, and promises to cover additional expenses. His compassion changes the way he spends his time, uses his resources, and responds to another person's suffering.
Compassion moved him from noticing a need to meeting it.
WHEN WE PASS BY
It is easy to understand why we sometimes hesitate to help. Life is busy. Needs seem endless. We may wonder whether we have the right skills or resources, or assume someone else will step in.
And wisdom matters. We should be careful with personal information and use good judgment when a situation seems unsafe. But caution should not become indifference. We must not let the possibility of being taken advantage of keep us from caring about people with genuine needs.
The priest and Levite saw the injured man, but they did not stop. The Samaritan saw him and responded with mercy.
What do people experience when they encounter us? Do they see someone too busy to notice, or someone willing to care?
GENEROSITY IS MORE THAN MONEY
When we hear the word generosity, we often think about giving money or possessions. Those gifts matter, but generosity reaches much further.
We can give our time to someone who feels alone. We can share our experience with someone facing a difficult decision. We can encourage a discouraged friend, provide a meal for a family, serve a child in need, or help someone discover the hope found in Jesus.
At First Baptist Church, Pigeon Forge, ministries such as Tiger Packs and Operation Christmas Child give us practical ways to serve others. Supporting missions and caring for our neighbors also express compassion. Yet generosity is not limited to organized ministry. It can begin with the person God places in front of us today.
GO AND DO LIKEWISE
Jesus ended the parable with a simple command: “Go and do likewise.”
That instruction invites us to make compassion part of our everyday lives. Rather than asking only, “Who is my neighbor?” we can ask, “How can I be a neighbor to someone who needs help?”
This week, look for one opportunity to put compassion into action. Make a phone call. Offer encouragement. Share a meal. Give your time. Help meet a practical need. Or have a caring conversation with someone who needs to hear about Jesus.
You may not be able to solve every problem, but you can take a meaningful step toward someone who needs help.
Compassion in our hearts should become generosity in our actions.
A QUESTION TO CONSIDER
Who might God be asking you to notice—and how can you respond with compassion this week?
Prayer: Lord, give me eyes to see the needs around me and a heart that responds with compassion. Keep me from becoming so busy or guarded that I overlook opportunities to help. Show me how to use my time, gifts, resources, and words to serve others and share the hope of Jesus. Amen.
LIVING IT OUT
Remember His Gift. Live Generously.
This week, move from good intentions to compassionate action.
Notice someone others may overlook.
Pay attention to people who seem discouraged, isolated, overwhelmed, or in need of practical support.
Choose one practical act of generosity.
Give your time, offer a meal, share your skills, encourage someone, or help meet a real need.
Share the hope of Jesus.
Listen to someone’s story, offer to pray, or explain how Christ has made a difference in your life.
Support compassion through ministry.
Pray for and participate in opportunities such as Tiger Packs and Operation Christmas Child.
Personal challenge: Before the week ends, take one specific action that helps someone else.
Don't stop at noticing the need.
Notice someone others may overlook.
Pay attention to people who seem discouraged, isolated, overwhelmed, or in need of practical support.
Choose one practical act of generosity.
Give your time, offer a meal, share your skills, encourage someone, or help meet a real need.
Share the hope of Jesus.
Listen to someone’s story, offer to pray, or explain how Christ has made a difference in your life.
Support compassion through ministry.
Pray for and participate in opportunities such as Tiger Packs and Operation Christmas Child.
Personal challenge: Before the week ends, take one specific action that helps someone else.
Don't stop at noticing the need.
Small Group Discussion
JESUS SENDS
Opening Question
When has someone’s kindness or generosity made a difference in your life?
Read
Luke 10:30-37
Discuss
Application
Identify one practical way your group can demonstrate compassion together. Decide who will take the first step and when.
Pray for the opportunities God gives you this week.
When has someone’s kindness or generosity made a difference in your life?
Read
Luke 10:30-37
Discuss
- What stands out to you about the different responses to the injured man?
- What can cause Christians to overlook people who need help?
- How is generosity expressed through time, attention, wisdom, and spiritual care—not just money?
- How can we balance wise caution with genuine compassion?
- What needs in our church or community could we help meet together?
- What does “Go and do likewise” look like in your life this week?
Application
Identify one practical way your group can demonstrate compassion together. Decide who will take the first step and when.
Pray for the opportunities God gives you this week.
Family Conversation
Ultimate Generosity
Parents, use these questions around the dinner table this week.
Read Luke 22:14–20 together.
Talk About It
Family Challenge
As a family, choose one act of kindness to complete this week. It might be preparing a meal, writing an encouraging note, helping a neighbor, or contributing to a ministry that cares for others.
Pray together: Ask God to help your family notice people in need and respond with loving, wise, practical compassion.
Read Luke 22:14–20 together.
Talk About It
- What happened to the injured man in Jesus’ story?
- Why do you think the priest and Levite passed him by?
- What did the Samaritan do that showed compassion?
- What are some ways our family can be generous without spending money?
- Who might need our help or encouragement this week?
Family Challenge
As a family, choose one act of kindness to complete this week. It might be preparing a meal, writing an encouraging note, helping a neighbor, or contributing to a ministry that cares for others.
Pray together: Ask God to help your family notice people in need and respond with loving, wise, practical compassion.
Prayer
Father, thank You for showing us what compassion looks like through the story of the Good Samaritan. Forgive us for times when we've been too busy, distracted, or indifferent to notice someone in need. Give us eyes to see, hearts that care, and the willingness to act. Help us use our time, resources, abilities, and words to serve others wisely and generously. May our compassion point people toward the love and hope of Jesus. In His name, Amen.
Keep the conversation going! Please leave your comments below.
Posted in Discipleship Guide, Sermon Series
Posted in Weekly Discipleship Guide, Weekly Sermon Recap, discipleship
Posted in Weekly Discipleship Guide, Weekly Sermon Recap, discipleship
No Comments