17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” 20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who TRUST in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” 27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” 28 Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.
Mark 10:17-30
Q & A：
- What sets Christianity apart from the rest of the religions in terms of salvation? Discuss if you have also been trying to earn God’s acceptance through the law or by doing good works like the young rich ruler in order to have eternal life. (Mark 10:17-20; Gal 2:21; Tit 3:4-5; Eph 2:8-9)
- Do you perceive that rich and successful people cannot be godly Christians? Explain the analogy of “easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God”. Discuss if God is against money or against the love of money becoming god/idol to us and dictating our top priority in life. (Mark 10:21-26; Rom 12:1-2; Exo 20:3; Luke 16:13; 1 Tim 6:10)
- Was Jesus poor or lacking while He was ministering with the disciples on earth, and how was His ministry supported financially? Knowing that we are not saved by good works but definitely saved to do good works, discuss how you can be successful, influential or rich/resourceful in the marketplace while still being a godly Christian and good steward of God’s money. (Mark 10:21, 27-30; Deu 8:12-13, 17-18; John 13:29; Mark 6:37)