“What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Haven’t we all asked this question? Do I have to be good enough or check some charity boxes?

Jesus says: “Sell all that you have...Come, follow me.” In effect he says, You must cling to me and to no other. Make God the most valuable thing in your life. Be willing to put everything else to the side to pursue life with God.

How often are we more ready to check the boxes than we are to pursue God with everything and forsake all other things! Praise God that nothing is impossible for Him to work in our souls!

[Luke 18.18-30]

18 And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” 28 And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What do you notice about the ruler’s question? Notice the subject of the sentence. What does that indicate? [ v. 18]

+ What does Jesus emphasize and clarify the word “good”? What do you think Jesus is saying about the ruler’s perception of goodness? [v. 19]

+ What does Jesus tell the man to do? [vv. 20-22]

+ How does the ruler respond to this invitation? [v. 23]

+ What does Jesus say about wealth and the kingdom of God? What is the point of his hyperbole? [vv. 24-25]

+ If we all have idols of some sort in our hearts, then who can be saved? [vv. 26-7]

+ In response to Peter, what does Jesus say the benefit of giving up everything else for the sake of God and His kingdom is? [vv. 28-30]

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ What is the thing that I have placed my trust in instead of God? What is the thing the Lord would ask me to give up that would make me go away sad?

+ How can I obey Jesus’ command to “come and follow me” more fully?

+ Do I believe that the Lord can do impossible works in me? Am I willing for him to change my affections toward Him?

+ Do I believe that treasure in heaven are worth more than any treasures on this earth?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?