"Is he a Samaritan?"

My 4-year-old boy surprised me with his question—an attempt to classify our houseguest. And he awaited my answer, blinking his blue eyes, big like robin eggs. Brenner had just seen Jesus' parable about the good neighbor on a children's video, and now he wanted to meet a real live Samaritan. Was this man one?

Christ used the story of the wounded traveler to answer another question: Who is my neighbor? He shocked His listening audience that day, transforming a despised man from Samaria into a hero. In fact, Jesus set a standard for loving our neighbor by introducing us to the Samaritan, who still serves as a model today.

In the following collection of articles, Worldwide Challenge will introduce you to five more models of good neighbors. We are highlighting "what my friend did right" by showcasing some qualities of a good Samaritan, like selfless service and hospitality.

Each of these five stories ends with a spiritual beginning. As God so often does, He used people's good works to expose someone's need for a Savior and reveal Himself to them. These five modern Samaritans followed their actions with an expression of their faith, extending an invitation for their friend to know Jesus. These articles remind us that you don't have to be an evangelist or a theologian to be a tool in God's hands. You only need to be a neighbor.

My son is not the only one asking this question. Lots of people are waiting to meet a real, live, good Samaritan. Are you willing?

To read one of the articles mentioned above, go to "Power of Prayer."