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"Teacher, what good things must I do to have
eternal life?" . . . Jesus replied. . . "you
can receive eternal life if you keep the commandments."
"Which ones?" the man asked. And Jesus replied:
" 'Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do
not steal. Do not testify falsely. Honor your father
and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.' "
"I've obeyed all these commandments," the
young man replied. "What else must I do?"
Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go
and sell all you have and give the money to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow
me." But when the young man heard this, he went
sadly away because he had many possessions. Then Jesus
said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth,
it is very hard for a rich person to get into the
Kingdom of Heaven. I say it again—it is easier
for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than
for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!"
The disciples were astounded. "Then who in the
world can be saved?" they asked. Jesus looked
at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking,
it is impossible. But with God everything is possible."
— New Living Translation
What do you think?
- Who do you know that has misplaced priorities?
Explain.
- How does your life demonstrate that your priorities
are important?
- Are you committed, all or nothing, to your number
one priority? If so, prove it.
What does God think?
Based upon the rich man’s question (v. 16),
who/what was he depending on for eternal life?
It is important to note what Jesus didn’t say
to the young man: "Believe in me." "Receive
me into your heart." Why? Was there some basic
misunderstanding he had about himself or God?
Was Jesus satisfied with the young man’s obedient
and sincere life (v. 21)? Why or why not?
Why did the young man go away sad when Jesus told
him to give up everything he had and follow Jesus
(v. 22).
In the six commandments Jesus laid out to him (vv.
18-19), which one was he unable to keep? This young
man was rich in life but poor in L __ __ __.
What does James 2:10-11 say about partial obedience?
In this young man’s heart, what was competing
with eternal life?
This man was faced with an all or nothing decision.
What was it?
The comfort and security of his earthly wealth would
ultimately keep him from securing his heavenly __
__ __ __ __ __.
Was being rich really the problem (see 1 Tim. 6:10)?
Why is it impossible to have eternal life without
God’s help (vv. 23-26)?
Now that you know these things . . .
- Is it fair of Jesus to ask for all or nothing?
Why can’t we have what we want and eternal
life?
- Does your life indicate an all or nothing committed
to Jesus?
- Read Matt. 6:24; 19:29; Lk. 9:23-26. A whole-hearted
commitment to Jesus means you are determined not
to set your desires or will against his. Can you
honestly say that you’ve made this kind of
commitment, or are you deceiving yourself with a
partial commitment like the rich, young man?
- Spend time this week alone with God asking him
to show you if there’s anything between you
and him. If you find there is something between
you and Jesus, then be honest and bold and talk
with your small group leader about it.
- Jesus understood this man’s heart. He knew
exactly what it was that kept him from a whole-hearted
commitment. When presenting the gospel, try and
understand where an unbeliever is having difficulty
making an all or nothing commitment and focus on
that in your conversation, just like Jesus did.
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