Questions from a Rich Young Ruler

Watch this video from Pastor Eli Bonilla! 

Sometimes the hardest thing for young Christians to figure out is what they’re “supposed” to be doing. Christianity is too often defined as being a “good” person and doing “good” stuff, and staying away from “bad” people and “bad” stuff. But just living as a “good” person is not what Jesus wants us to pursue most passionately in life. In this lesson your students will explore an interaction Jesus had with someone who lived a really good life—and it should come as no surprise that Jesus called him to more than just good living.

Lesson Objectives

1. WHAT: We need to avoid the trap of thinking that the Christian life is all about a list of “good” things we should do and “bad” things we should avoid.
2. WHY: Just as Jesus was trying to help the rich young man by shifting his focus—from the things he did to something much greater—we, too, can make that shift.
3. HOW: Teenagers will examine the interaction between Jesus and the rich young man, with a focus on Jesus’ powerful use of a question.

Primary Scripture: Matthew 19:16-22

Secondary Scriptures: Philippians 2:12-18

Let’s spend a few minutes exploring this question of Jesus. At first it doesn’t seem like a huge deal, but to the rich young man it meant everything!

1. Questioning the question

Based on the young man’s question, how do you think he had lived his life so far?

Why didn’t Jesus answer the young man directly?

How did Jesus’ question get at the heart of what the young man was after?

What do you think Jesus was trying to accomplish with his question?

Sometimes we think that the Christian life is all about a list of “good” things we should do and “bad” things we should stay away from. Jesus was trying to help the young man by shifting his focus away from the things that he did to something much greater. That’s a shift each of us can make, too.

2. Living the good life

Why is it significant that the specific commandments Jesus cited are all part of the Ten Commandments?

Of the ones he listed, which do you think is easiest to follow? most difficult to follow? Why?

Is it possible for someone to follow those commandments but not be a Christian? In other words, does following those commandments automatically make you a follower of Jesus? Why or why not?

Jesus continued the conversation with the rich young man by helping him see what a good person he truly was. But there was also something greater at work here. Consider the fact that even after listing out the good things that he should do, there was still something that the young man felt like he was lacking. Despite all of our best efforts, we can never be perfect.

3. Following the perfect leader

In verse 21, Jesus made a very big ask of the rich young man: to give away all of his possessions. Jesus knows that “stuff” can keep us from focusing on “the One who is good.” In this moment Jesus was attempting to call this young man to a life of commitment. Jesus was calling him to do more than just be a good person.

Tell us about a time that you were exhausted from doing good stuff—what did you learn from that experience?

For the rich young man it was his possessions—what are some things that might keep you from following Jesus passionately or consistently?

Why was it so difficult for the young man to do what Jesus asked him to do?

It has been said that everyone who truly meets Jesus experiences life-change—for better or for worse, how did this encounter affect this young man’s life?

BGroup Questions

1. What do you sense Jesus wanting to do in and through your life? What evidence leads you toward that sense?
2. No doubt we have all been doing good things—especially for those of us who’ve been going to church for a while. How would you summarize our thoughts from today’s discussion about doing good just for the sake of doing good?
3. If you want to live differently, how might you begin to go about living a life that is centered on Jesus and then reflects the things that he asks you to do?

TAKE ACTION: Memorize this Scripture this week! “ ‘Why ask me about what is good?’ Jesus replied. ‘There is only One who is good’ ” (Matthew 19:17).

**Leaders, leave 3-5 minutes for prayer at the end of your group time.