On their way to deliver these talks, each student encountered a confederate (a research actor) slumped in an alley, coughing and groaning, clearly in distress. The results were stunning: students who were told they were running late stopped to help only 10% of the time, while those who weren’t rushed helped 63% of the time. Even more surprising? It didn’t matter if they were literally about to preach on the Good Samaritan, the sermon topic had no statistical impact on whether they stopped.
The conclusion was sobering: situational factors like time pressure overrode personal beliefs, religious training, and even immediate sermon preparation about helping others in need. When we’re too rushed, too focused on our own agenda, we miss the very people we’re called to serve.
This is exactly what makes this conversation with Steve Noble so powerful. In an era when organizations, ministries, and businesses are constantly pushing messages, creating content, and building platforms, Steve and host Dave Jones dive into a fundamental truth that transforms everything: you are not the hero of your story. Your client, donor, or first-time guest is the hero. You are their guide.
