“Give Everything You Have”- Matthew 19:16-21
Lean In // 5 minutes
What is one thing that you have given up in the past, and how was that experience for you?
Sample answers:
- Read Meat for Lent, Challenging
- Smoking, Felt healthier, but a very difficult withdrawal
- Coffee, I got a BIG headache!
- Social Media, I was bored!
- An hours sleep, productive but tired!
Leader Note: Transition your group into the Look Down by acknowledging that the current series is going to be confronting, hence the title, but sometimes that which is confronting can be freeing.
Look Down // 20 minutes
Leader Note: The following passage appears at face value to be dealing with the issue of great wealth. To some degree, it is (see verses 23, 24 that proceed this passage). However there is more than meets the eye with this passage, when viewed in the light of several others. There is a pattern found in Jesus ministry, where, when he asks people to follow him, he also asks them to lay down their earthly life (see Matthew 8:18-22 and Matthew 4:18-22). Put simply, they had to lay down their own life, to follow Christ’s.
Read Matthew 19:16-21
What does the rich young man desire?
Sample answers:
- Eternal life (v. 16)
- Instructions for gaining eternal life (v. 16)
- A way to have both his possessions and eternal life (v. 21)
What does Jesus desire for this young man?
Sample answers:
- That he would sell all he has and give it to the poor (v21)
- That he would realize his need for a savior, evident by pointing him to his “weakness” (v21)
- That he would obey God’s commands (v18,19)
Why did the young man walk away from Jesus?
Sample answers:
- Because he was very rich (v22)
- Because he loved his money more than God (v22)
- Because he didn’t actually want to pursue eternal life (v16)
Look Out // 15 minutes
Leader Note: The hope in the following section is that we would be able to identify the challenges to faith that are present, in our society. It is also hoped that the varying responses to God’s confronting call, would be shared at this time too.
Possessions were this man’s barrier to Christian faith. What are some others that exist in our society?
Sample answers:
- Other “god’s” such as Sport, other Religions, Family, Safety
- Lack of Faith
- Peer pressure
- Lack of self-worth
- Busyness
How do people respond to God’s call on their barriers?
Sample answers:
- Resist
- Surrender
- Compromise
- Walk away sad
Why is this call so confronting?
Sample answers:
- We want to be in charge
- We want to have control
- The world tells us we must have these barriers to succeed and survive
Look In // 15 minutes
Leader note: This following section provides a great opportunity for group members to surrender any barriers they may have to following God. For a non-Christian, this may be their, “I Believe” moment. For a Christian, this may be an opportunity to step out in faith into greater things that God may have for them, as they lay down more of their lives and follow him more closely.
What are your barriers to God’s call on your whole life?
Sample answers:
- Money
- Safety
- Family
- Career
- Education
- Worry
- Addiction
How do you feel when God confronts your barrier?
- Anxious
- Scared
- Defensive
- Threatened
Imagine life if you let go and followed.
Live It Out // 5 minutes
What is one step you could take towards total surrender, today?
Leader note: Take time to pray for each other and affirm group members that are seeking to lay down their lives for God’s sake.