Dear Parents, Guardians, Teachers:
Our lesson this week is about The Rich Young Ruler. The Rich Young Ruler had to make a very serious choice. He had to choose between his riches and following Jesus. Unfortunately he chose his riches instead of Jesus. It was sad because something other than the Lord had first place in his life.
Following Jesus is the only way to have eternal life. Jesus can’t be your savior if he isn’t your Lord. Jesus isn’t just calling people to believe that He is the son of God and stop there. Jesus needs to also be Lord of our lives. It is only possible by God’s grace. When following Jesus looks really hard, remember that it is only possible because of Jesus.
Scripture Reference: Mark 10:17-27
Memory Verse:
“With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”
Mark 10:27
Bible Lesson:
One day, a young man came to Jesus and said, “What good thing must I do to have eternal life?”
You see, Jesus knows everything and he knew what was in the rich young ruler’s heart. So, Jesus said to the young man, “Keep the commandments.”
Jesus was talking about the 10 Commandments.
The rich young ruler asked, “Which commandment must I keep?”
Jesus said, “Thou shalt do no murder. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness. Honor thy father and thy mother, and Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
The young man replied, “I have done all of these things since I was a young boy.”
Then, Jesus said, “If you have kept all the 10 Commandments and are perfect, take everything that you have and give it to the poor. Then, come and follow me. You will have treasure in heaven.”
When the rich young ruler heard what Jesus told him to do, he got up and walked away very sad. How could he give up all that he had for he was very rich?
Instead of choosing to follow Jesus, the young man decided he would rather be rich here on earth than in heaven.
Ask the kids what they love more than anything. Wait for answers.
Some may answer their toys, their games, their pets or even their parents. Then, explain that we are to love God even more than those things we love the most.
We are to put God above all else. Of course, God doesn’t expect us to give everything we have away, but he does expect us to put him first. When it is time for church, we shouldn’t complain that our favorite TV show is on or that we’d rather play outside.
Instead, we are to be excited about going to church or Sunday school to hear about God and what we can do to tell others about him. We should want to hear bible stories and tell others so they may want to ask Jesus into their hearts too.
Jesus Talks to His Disciples
Even in bible times, Jesus taught his disciples just like we are learning now. When the rich young ruler walked away, Jesus used what happened as an opportunity to teach his disciples something important.
What did he teach them? Let your Sunday school kids try to answer.
He taught them that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven.
To help show the kids how small the eye of a needle is, you should have one with you for them to see.
The disciples were amazed at what Jesus had said and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
You see, Jesus was saying that most, but not all, rich people think more about the money they have right now than they do about life after they die. Many rich people believe that if they have enough money, they can buy all that they want, but sadly, they can not buy their way into heaven.
To answer the disciples, Jesus said, “With men this is impossible (getting into heaven); but with God all things are possible.”
What did he mean?
Men can’t do anything on their own, especially get into heaven. Thankfully, with God all things are possible. We must put our trust in God if we expect to get anywhere in this life or the life hereafter.
Learning Activities After the Lesson
1. Have your kids watch the animated story:
2. You may choose any of the activities below as supplement to the lesson:
– Let the kids draw some of the wonderful things the rich young ruler might have owned.
– Let them draw a camel and the eye of a needle. Discuss the impossibility described.
– Let them answer this Word Search:
Answer:
Sources: Sunday School Lessons of Plenty, Sunday School Sources, Mission Arlington, Life Kids
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