Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17-31) Sunday School Lesson and Activities

What does it take to follow Jesus into eternal life of His Kingdom? That’s the question behind the rich young rulers questions in Mark 10:17-31. Use these Bible lessons in your children’s church or Sunday School ministry to help kids put following God in first place in their lives.

The links below are to direct print PDF documents. The first items marked “complete lesson” includes the other learning activities listed below.

Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler Mark 10:17-31 Children’s Sermon Lesson

What would you give up? This children’s message focuses on the story of Jesus and the rich young ruler, who thought he could earn himself salvation but missed out on the most important asset available, Christ! This message challenges kids to consider how we can become distracted by wealth or “stuff”, and forget about the most important things in life.

Bible Craft Ideas from Mark 10:17-31 on Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler

How can we focus on the most important things? In this story, Jesus met a rich young man who thought he could save himself, and was unwilling to part with his earthly possessions. Encourage children to contemplate the most important things in life and think about what it means to put Jesus first. Craft a coin bank to save money to give away. A “sewing heart” uses the “eye of the needle” element while practicing creative coordination and coming up with servant activities.

Sunday School Coloring Page: The Eye of a Needle

Bible Story Video: Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler

Suggested Worship Video “Nothing is Impossible”

Mark 10:17-31

10:17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

10:18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.

10:19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’”

10:20 He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.”

10:21 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”

10:22 When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

10:23 Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”

10:24 And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!

10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

10:26 They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?”

10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.”

10:28 Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.”

10:29 Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news,

10:30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age–houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions–and in the age to come eternal life.

10:31 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

1 thought on “Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17-31) Sunday School Lesson and Activities”

Leave a Comment