Is Faith Over-Rated?

(77) Some things that might be over-rated…

We often assume all the lawyers questioning Jesus were “bad,” but blanket assumptions are frequently wrong. So now a rich young ruler brings his question to the poor young Galilean preacher. Read Matthew 19:16, Mark 10:17, Luke 18:18

1.       Have we ever asked this question? What sort of answers come to mind?

2.       Read Matthew 19:17a, Mark 10:18, Luke 18:19 Why would Jesus start his answer this way?

a.       Would it be normal to say “Good teacher”? Or to say “good thing”?

b.      If not, what might the young man’s saying “good” have meant (in either case)?

3.       When we’re looking for advice, where do we look?

a.       How many of us have shelves full of good self-help books?

b.      And what does Jesus’ reply tell us about the importance of looking to God for answers?

4.       Then Jesus tells the young man what’s needed. Before reading (if possible) what do you think his answer is? Then Read Matthew 19:17b-19, Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20.

a.       Did you remember that these answers weren’t identical? What are the differences?

b.      What’s important—might one (familiar) statement be a summary? Read Mark 12:30-31

5.       The young man replies that he’s done all these things. Could any of us give that answer?

a.       Why might he think that he can say that?

6.       Read Matthew 19:20-21, Mark 10:20-21, Luke 18:21-22. Is Jesus’ answer easier or harder than the earlier list?

a.       Does Jesus’ answer mean we should all sell all that we have?

b.      Which part of Jesus’ answer might be a summary?

7.       The young man leaves, sadly. Read Matthew 19:22, Mark 10:22, Luke 18:23. What might we be least willing to give up? Was there a time when you, or a friend, had to give up something you thought would be really difficult?

So, being rich may not be the route to a happy life after all. Jesus and his disciples are probably just outside Jerusalem at this point, and Jesus takes the opportunity to teach a lesson that’s probably very familiar to us. Read Matthew 19:23-26, Mark 10:23-27, Luke 18:24-27. Did you remember this story came here?

1.       We’re all familiar with the “camel through the eye of a needle” analogy, and we’ve probably all heard different versions of how it makes sense, and what we can learn from it. What version means most to you?

2.       Which verse means most to you?

3.       Before reading Peter’s response, what would be your reply to Jesus’ saying this? Then Read Matthew 19:27-29, Mark 10:27-30, Luke 18:28-30.

a.       What’s different in Matthew’s version?

b.      Given who are gathered around (not the rich young man, but lots of other questioners), why might Peter ask this question?

c.       What might the twelve thrones (Matthew 19:28) have meant – to Peter? to the disciples? to the Pharisees? Who do you suppose this part of Jesus’ answer was for?

d.      Which matters more – the present time or eternal life? How easily do we remember (or forget) that?

4.       Read Matthew 19:30, Mark 10:31 Who do you think part of Jesus’ answer is aimed at?

What else might we learn from today’s readings, besides the fact that riches, and even family, might be overrated?