VERSES: Luke 18:18-27; Matthew 19:16-26; Mark 10:17-22
MEMORY VERSE: Luke 18:23 "And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful; for he was very rich."
BOOK TO REMEMBER: Review the Old Testament books from Genesis to 2 Chronicles.
PRAYER: Pray that we will always put God first in our lives.
SPECIAL SONG: This Little Light Of Mine (see March 2014 - Songs We Sing In Bible Class #3 on this blog)
VISUAL AID: Draw a large activity (see below) on a whiteboard or chalkboard.
LESSON POINTS:
- When we think that no one knows what we are doing and no one can see us, we are mistaken. There is someone who, not only knows what we are doing and can see us day or night, but knows our thoughts and what we intend to do. Jesus knows our hearts and He also knew the heart of a rich young ruler.
- The rich young ruler came running up to Jesus and knelt before Him. He asked Him a question. He asked, "Good Master, what good thing should I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said, "Only God is good. You know the commandments. Do not commit adultery (being married and having girlfriends or boyfriends). Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Honor your father and your mother." The rich young ruler said that he had kept all those commandments since he was a youth.
- Jesus knew how the rich young ruler felt about being rich. Jesus said, "You lack one thing. Go and sell all that you have, give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Come, follow me." But when the rich young ruler heard this, he was very sad because he was very rich. When Jesus saw that the young man was very sad, he said, "How hard it is for those who have great riches to enter into the kingdom of God. 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."
- Those who were around Jesus and heard this conversation were amazed. They asked Jesus, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus said that the things that are impossible with men are possible with God, meaning that it is possible for all who obey to enter the kingdom, but it is harder for the rich because they hold on too tightly to their money. Jesus had already said in Matthew 6:24 that no man could serve two masters. He either loves one and hates the other or he holds on to one and despises the other. No one could serve both God and riches. The rich young ruler knew this. That is why he was so very sad. He knew he loved his money more than God and did not want to give up his riches. The rich young ruler might have been very rich in this world, but he was very poor towards God.
- We should always put God first in our lives. Whether it is sports practice or a good TV show or someone's birthday or whatever, we should always do spiritual things first. God knows our hearts and what our intentions are. He knows when we are really trying and when we are just pretending. We should always love God with our whole hearts!
- The rich young ruler asked the best question ever! "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Notice how the rich young ruler came to Jesus--running! He was eager to know the answer to his question! May we be the same way about spiritual things. Running, eager, and not afraid to ask a question!
Materials needed: 6" x 18" light blue construction paper, marker, crayons.
- Hand out light blue paper.
- Fold in half.
- Fold in half again.
- With fold on the left, write "The Rich young Ruler" and "Luke 18:18-27" on the cover. (see picture at top)
- Unfold once.
- Draw the rich, young ruler saying, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?"
- Completely unfold to reveal four sections.
- Trace on fold lines.
- In Box #1, write "Do not commit adultery," "Do not kill," "Do not steal," "Do not bear false witness," and "Honor your father and mother."
- In Box #2, draw the rich young ruler saying, "I have these from my youth."
- In Box #3, write "Jesus said, Go. Sell all. Give to poor. Come. Follow me."
- In Box #4, draw the rich young ruler very sad and sorrowful.
- In Box #4, write "He was very sad because he was very rich."
- Fold up and take home.
