The Miserable Millionare

Read Matthew 19:16-26

One person will first read the scripture selection in the King James Version.Next, another person will read the same passages in a modern language or amplified version for more clarity such as the New Living Translation (NLT), Message Bible (MSG), New English Translation (NET), Amplified Bible (AMP), etc. We recommend using the YouVersion Bible app.

Retell

One person will begin retelling the scripture passage in their own words (a new person to start each week is great!) Then…As a group, work together to fill in gaps and build the story. This will help us internalize and own it. Be sure everyone participates.

Discuss

Together, share around the group how the topic and scripture setting applies to your life personally. Here are some thoughts to consider for discussion… don’t let the discussion stop here, though… what questions can you ask that will help uncover God’s message?

The rich young man

Let’s explore what we know about this man who visited Jesus.

How religious was he, and what impact would this have on his life?

How might he have acquired his wealth?

What would this tell us about his personality?

Was his wealth fulfilling to him?

Was his religion fulfilling to him?

What obstacles would he have overcome to approach Jesus this day?

What does this tell us about his personality and character?

“Do you know who you’re talking to?” – verses 16-17a

What was the young man’s view or perception of Jesus?

In what ways is it important for us to understand who Jesus is when we pray to him?

What was the question he asked Jesus?

Why do you think he went to Jesus with his question?

Did Jesus immediately answer his question?

Explain why.

There are two possible reasons for Jesus’ response. Which is most likely to be true?

He was chastising the young man for calling him “good”, distancing himself from God, or was he helping the man to see that he, being good, was indeed God

The “Big Ten” – verses 17b-19

Jesus told the man it was necessary to keep the commandments in order to have eternal life. 

What set of commandments was Jesus referring to?

Why did the man ask which commandments he should keep?

Why did Jesus only list some of the commandments?

What is significant between the first 4 commandments and the last 6? (the list is in Exodus 20:3-17… it’s ok to hyperlink this one if you can’t remember them!

First 4 about your relationship with God

Last 6 about your relationship with each other

What might be the reason Jesus only focused on the second part of the list?

Sincerely wrong – verse 20

The young man said he had kept all of those commandments since he was a boy.

Did he believe his own words?

Were his words true?

What is the difference between the “letter of the law” and the “spirit of the law”?

Describe some examples of keeping the letter of the law while breaking the spirit of it.

What matters more to God, our sincerity or our obedience?

It’s what you lack that counts – verse 21

The man asked, “What am I still lacking?”

What would be the value of asking this question in our own lives?

Does everyone need to sell their belongings and give them away in order to be saved? 

What was the reason Jesus told him to do this?

What is an area of your Christian life that you still need to improve in?

List all the verbs in verse 21.

What does this tell us about our responsibility in obtaining salvation?

There are certain things required of everyone for salvation… what are those?

Even after the required parts of salvation, are there things that might prevent someone from ultimately being saved? Explain.

“I don’t need Jesus” – verse 22

What was the young man’s response to Jesus’ instruction?

What was holding him back?

How might we struggle with similar thoughts?

What commandment could the young man have been breaking at this point?

Nothing is impossible

What did the disciples think Jesus implied with the example of the camel and the needle?

Did Jesus say it was impossible for a rich man to enter heaven?

Is it ever impossible for someone to enter heaven?

Is it possible that the young man eventually obeyed Jesus?

According to Jesus, what was able to turn impossible things into possible?

Name an area of your life you’ve struggled with believing could change for you.

Mission

In light of what we now know about this passage, what is God calling you to do this week? As a group, take just a couple of minutes to silently pray to God asking, “Lord, what do you want me to do this week because of what I’ve seen today?” Briefly write this down as a personal mission statement for the week,

“Lord, this week, I will __________________________.”

Some possible suggestions:

Lord, this week I will focus on changing one thing that keeps me from following you as I desire.Lord, this week I will practice being charitable to someone in a way that doesn’t directly benefit me.Lord, this week I will examine the 10 commandments and purposely live them out.Even better, write your own!

Next Week’s Scriptures

The Doubtful Disciples: Christ Speaks to the Problem of Limited Faith – Mark 6:32-44