Children’s Message on Mark 10 on “What must we do to inherit eternal life?”
Main Objective: Jesus calls us to follow Him and put Him first and foremost. The story of the rich young ruler reminds us that we must get rid of things that get in the way of our relationship with Him. Sometimes that means letting go of things we think are important, in order to take hold of what is most important. This message illustrates that principle and considers what it means to allow God to be ruler of all in our lives.
Law/Gospel Theme: Many times, when we look at this passage, we focus on the wealth element, emphasizing how it can be hard to worship God when we are distracted by money. That is certainly true; however, there’s more going on in this story. The rich man thought that he could earn himself salvation by doing enough good works. He didn’t understand that salvation comes through following Jesus, and was disappointed at the prospect of foregoing treasure to rely on someone else. We must be willing to let go of our “idols” to follow Jesus. If all we have is Christ, we have more than enough!
Mark 10:17-31 Children’s Sermon- Through the Eye of a Needle
Optional Materials: Items representing obligations or busy distractions in our lives, Bible.
Bible Passage: Mark 10:17-31
Message: Note: As with most messages, the details of how you choose to communicate this are adaptable and should cater to timing as well as to your audience and student needs. Use your judgment and ideas to best serve students.
Greet children, and discuss things that take up attention and time in our lives…
Hello, children of God!
Do you ever feel like you have a lot of things to do? Maybe it’s almost like trying to juggle a bunch of things at once… As you talk, pick up items that represent different obligations and activities. Gradually gather too many of these to carry at once. You might have things that you need to do for school, and sports practices, and clubs. Then maybe you want to take on some extra hobbies or activities…Of course, there’s time spent with family and friends, too. Sometimes you have so much going on that there’s just no room for anything else! Sometimes then even important things can’t fit. Then you wind up having to let go of some items (set the things you’re carrying down) in order to pick up something else, or to take hold of what’s truly most important. Pick up a Bible or cross.
There’s really only one thing that should be the most important in our lives. Jesus should be the first and foremost priority we have. There are often distractions that get in the way of following Him as closely as we should. Things seem to take up too much time and attention in our schedules. Sometimes we rely on these things for our happiness or satisfaction, and mistakenly think they’re what will give us identity and joy. Sometimes we have to let go of those things in order to remember Who is the main priority. We don’t depend on ourselves for salvation or contentment, but on Jesus.
There was a man in the Bible who came to Jesus asking for the secret to eternal life. He wanted to know how he could get himself into Heaven. But that was just the problem. He thought he could somehow save himself and earn or buy his way to everlasting life. Jesus first told the man that he needed to follow the Commandments, which the man claimed he had done his whole life. Then Jesus told him he needed to sell his possessions and give to the poor, and then follow Jesus. At that, the man sadly went away. He had a lot of things, and didn’t want to have to give them up. It seemed hard and inconvenient to follow Jesus, so he gave up. He didn’t get the answer he was looking for.
See, Jesus wasn’t telling this man that he couldn’t have nice things. He just knew that the man had his focus out of place. He wanted to get to Heaven on His own terms, and he cared about his life and his wealth. He didn’t realize that salvation isn’t bought or won by our actions, but by Jesus. He didn’t want to let go of his riches to gain eternal life, and he missed out! Jesus loved him, but wanted him willing to give up the stuff and follow.
The same is true for us. No, we don’t necessarily have to go get rid of all our things. But we need to recognize what things in our lives might stand in God’s way. Are there activities or priorities that draw us away from genuinely following Jesus? Are we still trying to do everything on our own, rather than relying on Him? Seeking God’s kingdom involves surrender. In some ways that can be hard, if we have to yield things we want, but it also reminds us that God is in control and cares for us. In the end, the Bible tells us that when we seek Him first and give Him the primary place in our lives, He will honor that, and all the rest will fall into place. Take hold of Him first, and other things will follow. Let the little things go, and let God take control. He is worth it!
Why don’t we say a prayer to thank God and ask for His help in relying on Jesus?
Prayer:
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for blessing us with all we need.
Please help us to put you first
And let go of the things that don’t last.
Thank you for salvation through Jesus.
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Mark 10:17-31 Meaning for Kids
And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is[ to enter the kingdom of God! 25 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 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” -Mark 10:17-31
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