Good Samaritan Values for VES

One of the most famous stories ever told is “The Good Samaritan”, told by Jesus in answer to the question, “who is my neighbour?”

In classic Jesus style, this short story (less than 170 words in my English translation) can be marvelled at by children, memorised by many and yet mulled over for millennia.

I think it provides a really good framework of ‘values’ we want to hold at Vineyard English School. Whilst the details will look different on any given day, the motivation and the movement across everything we do want to look something like the man who crossed the Jericho road.

• we’re moved by compassion (he had pity on him)

• we take the initiative to engage with people (he crossed the road)

• we treat people with dignity across ethnic and cultural divides (he did not pass by)

• we seek to meet people’s (painful) practical needs (he bandaged his wounds)

• we bless people in the power of the Spirit (he anointed him with oil and wine)

• we serve people humbly (he put him on his donkey)

• we foster relationships and community (he took him to an inn)

• we work collaboratively with, and gladly signpost to, established services (he worked with the inn keeper)

• we’re generous with our time and resources, but not without wise limits (he gave two denari and left open the possibility of more)

• we’re available to be interrupted, but not to be completely derailed (he stayed for a day and then moved on)

• we point to Jesus and His Kingdom (the good samaritan is a ‘type of Christ’ and was told by Jesus to illustrate what love actually looks like)

If our work and actions at VES are guided by these, we will be doing well.

“Go and do likewise”