Counting The Cost?

Bible passage: Read Mark 10:13-34

I wonder how much we are prepared to give for those pursuits that matter to us? How much are we ready to give towards our job in terms of time; our hobbies in terms of passion; our possessions in terms of priority; our family in terms of our availability; our Lord in terms of the offering of all we are and have?

What does the level of your commitment to these various aspects of your life say about what is really important to you?

Perhaps we find the truths that emerge difficult to admit to ourselves; perhaps we are ashamed?

(Read Mark 10:17-20)
We encounter a person who is evidently eager to find assurance about his eternal destiny. Matthew tells us he was young (Matthew 19:22).

We can see that he had many fine attributes:
He was eager and humble to know the truth (v17)
He gave a profoundly complimentary greeting to Jesus (v17)
He was devout from childhood - keeping the commandments (v20)
He held a prominent position in the synagogue as ruler (Luke 18:18).

But what are the signs which suggest the man has got flawed ideas about himself before God and about how a person can be certain about going to heaven when he dies?

(Read Mark 10:21-23)
Look at the way Jesus handles the encounter:

Why do you think He challenges the young man's use of the word 'good' in relation to Jesus?

Why is superficiality such a key issue in this young man's life, which Jesus tries to make him realize?

Why do you think Jesus response to the young ruler's reply is not that of censure or anger, but is instead the warm-hearted response of v21?

Clearly, the young ruler had a number of major flaws in his faith: can you identify what Jesus saw they were?

Do you think that as well as having a clear love of money and things, the young ruler also had a problem with a lack of love for God and too deep a love of self?

How much do you think we may be similar in many ways to this rich young ruler?

Do we come before God on the basis of our works or solely on His grace?

Do we have a genuine love for God, but our devotion to things and self is often stronger?

Do we want heaven, but hold on to earth too tightly?

This is the only person recorded in the gospels who came eagerly to Jesus, but who went away sad.
Why do you think he made the choice that he did? Is the difficulty for the 'rich' to enter the kingdom of God fundamentally an issue about money or is it about a value system?

(Read Mark 10:24-31)
Jesus metaphor of a camel trying to pass through the eye of a needle is a dramatic way of striking home the point that anyone who is trusting in their achievements or riches for a place with God is heading for a terrible shock. Can you identify with the disciples sudden acknowledgement that we all have a tendency to be like the 'rich ruler' as we contemplate standing before God? What encouragements do you find in the words of Jesus that should make anyone realise that the cost of giving anything up for Jesus is worth it in this life and in the life to come? So far, has this been your experience, and how?

(Read Mark 10:13-16) & (Mark 10:32-34)
It is almost as if the encounter with the rich, young ruler is placed between these two passages, which act like bookends, providing contrast and commentary on the encounter with the rich, young ruler.

What do you think the cameo of the little children and Jesus is meant to teach us about the basis of how we are acceptable to Jesus?

What do you think the example of Jesus setting off to Jerusalem, despite predicting all that would happen to him there, would say about the cost that Jesus was prepared to pay for them and about the cost of discipleship for all who would follow Him?