“Our God’s love, it is so very strong, it leads me to see the need in you…” –from Sam TV’s music video “Lend a Helping Hand.”
Good Sam the Samaritan retells and digs into the parable of the Good Samaritan, — arguably Jesus’ most famous and most important teaching, and it does it in a fun and insightful way with animation, narration, quizzing, music and discussion videos.
See the Good Sam program in action.
Play the song “Lend a Helping Hand” from the music video.
Overview of What’s in Good Sam the Samaritan
Luke 10 –a narrated 3-D animated retelling of the story in three different versions with study notes.
Sam Cam –video interviews with the story characters, and a game in which students must counter excuses for “not being Samaritans” by selecting the right encouraging Bible verses (match the verse that addresses the excuse).
Good Sam Land –a very kid-friendly interactive map with intriguing story-related Holy Land photos and graphics and narrated study questions. The content includes “What is a Samaritan?” “Why weren’t they liked?” “Samaritans today” and questions about cultural and religious prejudice ( a really good section for older students especially)
Who Wants to be a Samari-tan! –play Yakzoot the camel in a strange parable gameshow about the Samaritan Parable. The gameshow concludes with a timed memory verse scramble game.
SaMtv –a music video that wraps up the lesson with a snappy tune and images to reflect on. SaMtv also includes follow-up discussion activities.
Click the TABS below to reveal graphics and details of Good Sam..
Your students have three different translations they can hear the story animated with: KJV, NRSV, and Bildad’s Own.
Why does Good Sam have 3 different translations?
…because hearing the text 3 times in 3 different ways helps it stick! Not only are the translations different, but so are the voices. We especially like that the King James animated-narration is read by an Englishman. To young ears (and old) it sounds exotic and powerful –and that makes the ear and mind focus on listening. Three study note “twists” begin to help explain this story’s characters and meaning.
Good Sam Land is an interactive map that pops-up more narrated info about what’s “behind” the story, including, “What is a Samaritan?” , “Why didn’t the Jews like them?” and “Samaritans Today”. One location on the map addresses “prejudice.” Many notes contain a follow-up question for deeper study. We even made the map musically fun to navigate. Each location plays a note as you roll over it.
Sam Cam features two activities. The first pictured above left, is a quick scripture matching game that addresses the “excuses” people use for not doing the right thing. View the excuses in the Sam Outline. The second activity pictured right is a collection of Video Interviews with the characters in the story. Each has 1 minute interview that ends with a question for discussion. Humorous, poignant and creatively presented. You’re gonna love them!
“The Priest” interviewed as he was parked in a handicapped spot, he defends his actions.
Clueless about God’s laws.
Scene from the Music Video “Lend a Helping Hand”
SaMtv features the music video “Lend a Helping Hand” by Christian artist and pastor, Steve Lindsley. We commissioned this song for Good Sam software and added kids to the video. View the lyrics and hear Steve’s song at http://www.sundaysoftware.com/sam/lyrics.htm
Who Wants to Be a Samaritan is a narrated QUIZ all about the Parable of the Good Samaritan. It also includes a scripture memory scramble and lightning round!
Age Range: K through Teen.
Younger children will enjoy this program a lot, but will need help with some navigation and reading.
Minimum: 1.0 ghz, 1.0 mb ram
Windows 8/10 users, see our Windows tweaks.
Be sure to read our tech note about how to make this program fill more of your computer screen.
Teacher’s Guide and Outline to Good Sam
View/Print the Lyrics to “Lend a Helping Hand”
Play the song “Lend a Helping Hand” from the program’s music video:
A Few Reviews…
Neil, I just finished teaching a four week rotation using the new Good Sam the Samaritan software. It must say it was a wonderful experience. This being my fourth year teaching the computer rotation at our church, I can say that this was the best piece of software I have ever used. The questions were very challenging which I think is essential to the learning process. It stoked a lot of discussion between myself and the students. Who wants to be a Samaritan was a huge hit with the 5th and 6th graders. They were laughing throughout the entire game. All grades LOVED the bible verse scramble. It’s funny how some of the things I would never expect the kids to like turn out to be their favorite. The students enjoyed listening to the different video characters on the Sam Cam page, and it was interesting to hear students shouting out, “He even parked in the handicap spot”. They really identified with the characters and formed strong opinions about them. The matching game on the Sam Cam page was very well done as well. –Doug Backus, Good Shepherd Lutheran, Cincinnati
One of our junior high teachers said that the new “Good Sam” was the best kids’ software he’s seen. –Pat Strandburg, Cupertino CA
Good Sam is great. –Mary Bond, Bryn Mawr Church, Bryn Mawr PA Dear Sunday Software, As a grandmother of a beautiful new grandson (Dawson Jeremiah), I think your “Good Sam” program is beautiful.Compared to all the other programs, …in a class by itself. –Marty White, educator at Church of The Good Shepherd, Cashiers NC
It is phenomenal. Wow! Make some more! –Linda , DCE at Palma Ceia Church, Tampa It really is awesome! –Kay Williams , UMC educator in Georgia
This is a fun program with great content. –Pat, Christian educator in Placentia CA.
Just wanted you to know that we just started teaching with Good Sam last weekend and it was great!!!! I finally feel like the software and the lesson are in sync. Give yourselves a pat on the back. It is a great piece of software and the kids love it. Thanks! -Amy Parker, Church Educator, Texas
Thought you’d be encouraged to know that GoodSam was very useful in the school. There were five pupils there, it held their attention well and they all got the message. Credit your valuable work! — Gavin Matthews, Arngask Home Farm, Glenfarg Perth U.K.
Neil- I just finished playing the Sam program and my whole family had stopped what they were doing to see what I was looking at! It is so funny and entertaining! Our kids are going to love this at Sunday School. You and your crew are doing a great job! Thanks for being out there!! –Ellen P.