For Matthew 19:16-30.
Try to find other Scriptures to back up your answers as much as possible. It is important to avoid "I think."
1. This man said that he kept all the commands that Jesus listed. Why did he ask, "What do I still lack?"
2. What was the least that the rich young ruler could have done to get eternal life?
3. Was Jesus' request specifically for the rich young ruler (vs 21)? Was it just for the rich people (vs 23-24)? Does it apply to all of us?
4. Are you rich? How does one measure riches? What determines if someone is rich or not? How do average or even poor Americans measure up to most of the rest of the world?
5. What if you were to sell all of your possessions and give the money to the poor but not follow the commands Jesus listed?
6. The original question that is asked is about getting eternal life and found in verse 16. Jesus does not mention eternal life again until the end of verse 29. Why does Jesus answer with terms like "perfect" or "complete" or having "treasures in heaven"? The disciples use the term "saved" and "follow you". How do these terms relate?
7. Are we expected to do as much as the 12? Are they the standard or are they exceptional? Did they go above and beyond the call?
8. What is the least we can do to get eternal life?
9. What consequences do we face if we do not do the least we can?
***General answers and answers to the big question are welcome, if you want to add your opinion to anything from 1-7, please begin your post indicating which questions you'll be addressing, thanks ***
NOTES FROM ONE OF THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT GROUPS:
ReplyDeleteThe least we can do is? Obey his commands. We have the same challenge as the rich young man when Jesus says "come follow me", the cost to follow him is EVERYTHING always has been and always will be! That's why it's hard for a rich man.
Don't say no to God.
When we first choose to follow, we say to God that we will leave everything to follow Him. As we mature in Christ we become aware of more things that are in our lives that we need to let go of or get rid of. Sometimes we struggle with this process but it is a constant one as God molds us to be more and more like Him.
Addressing question 8: Do WE do anything to GET eternal life? Or do we do what we do because of our gratitude for God's gift to us and our desire to be obedient? Ephesians 2:8-10
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Denise. The question and the title of the blog is a little "tongue in cheek" as we search the Scriptures to find the least, we find that what God has set up as minimum standards are not small in any way. There is that tension though (faith and works, etc.) and the need for us to balance and remember that grace is a gift that we don't deserve, nor do we or can we do anything to truly earn it. Thats why there is so much power in the words of Christ, "Follow me." He is the guide, He is the Way, He is the one who removes the obstacles and defeats the enemy. What do we do? If we want to end up where He ended up... follow Him.
ReplyDeleteRE: Question 5.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that came to my mind here was I Corinthians 13:3
"If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing."
RE: Denise said...
ReplyDeleteEphesians 2:8-10
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Amen
ReplyDeleteOverall Group discussion on this section from my group:
ReplyDeleteWe talked about the heart issue of the rich young ruler. He wanted to find out what to DO to earn eternal life, which we know cannot be earned. The answer Jesus gave involved letting go of what was most precious to the man. His riches owned his heart. When we come to Christ and accept the free gift of salvation (eternal life) we respond by giving Him the reigns of our hearts. To find the treasure we seek, we must give everything - ourselves. We are obedient to him, because He paid the price for our sin.