Going Deeper in "How to Live the Good Life"
Mark 10:17-31
17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”
20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”
21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, 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!”
26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.
27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
28 Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said.
29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, 30 will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. 31 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”
Read the following a few times:
Reflect on the following:
1. What can we learn from the rich young ruler’s approach to Jesus? What does his question reveal about his understanding of eternal life?
2. Why do you think Jesus mentions the commandments in His response? What is the significance of this for the young man and for us today?
3. The young ruler claims to have kept all the commandments since his youth. What does this say about his self-perception? How can we be honest about our own shortcomings?
4. What does Jesus mean when He tells the man to sell all he has and give it away? How does this relate to the concept of true discipleship? What do you believe about money?
5. Why do you think Jesus said it is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God? In what ways can wealth be a barrier to spiritual growth?
6. What does Peter’s statement about leaving everything to follow Jesus reveal about his understanding of discipleship? How do you relate to his response?
7. In verses 29-30, Jesus mentions that those who leave everything for His sake will receive a hundredfold. What do you think this means practically for believers today?
8. What does Jesus mean by “But many who are first will be last, and the last first” (v. 31)? How does this principle apply to our lives and priorities?
9. What steps can you take to ensure that material possessions do not hinder your relationship with God?
Challenge
1. Take time to pray and reflect on what may be holding you back from fully following Jesus. Write down any “wealth” (such as habits, possessions, or relationships) that you need to reevaluate in light of your faith. Share your reflections with a trusted friend or mentor for accountability.