Bible Study 8/20/08 “Encounters With Jesus”-The Rich Young Ruler

We are continuing with our series “Encounters with Jesus”.  This week we are looking at Jesus and the rich young ruler.  We will be reading Luke 18:18-30. This is part one of a two part focus.  Next week we will read Luke 19:1-9 about Zacchaeus. 

1. What is the significance of Jesus’ first words to the young ruler (v19)?
2. Had the young man really kept all the commandments as he claimed?
3. What attitude is the young man approaching Jesus with?
4. Why does Jesus tell him to sell everything?
5. What was the man’s response?
6. Have you ever felt conflicted or sad about doing something God clearly called you to do?
7. What was jesus’ promise to the man in v22?
8. What in your life would be the hardest for you to give up if God asked you to?  Why?
9. What is the definition of an idol (see Colossians 3:5, Hab 2:18, Jonah 2:8)?
10. Why do you think Jesus talks so much about money?  It is mentioned over 2300 times in the bible (more than any other topic).
11. Why does Jesus say it is practically impossible for rich people to enter heaven (v24-25)?
12. Do you think you are rich?
13. What if Jesus asked you tonight to give up everything your house, car, job, money, security, comfort, health, family, and Friends and follow him?  Would you be willing to do it?  How long would you hesitate? – Perhaps we are not that different than the rich young ruler.
14. With what you see hear in this story and the sermon that Daniel preached at the bridge this past Sunday (James 2), Do you think you can just pray a prayer and then live life the way you want to and still go to heaven? 
15. What does it mean to be a Christian (see Matthew 16:24-26)?
16. This passages give us a good example of this in the disciples (v28-30).  How were the disciples different from the crowd that sometimes followed Jesus?
17. What amazing promise does Jesus give his disciples (v29-30)?
18. What does this encounter reveal to you about the character of Jesus?
19. Even though it is extremely difficult for those of us who are rich to enter heaven, Jesus explains something in v27 that should give us hope.  What does He say?

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”
~ Jim Elliot (martyred missionary)