20/3 - Journey to the Cross - Mark 10:1-31
Some thoughts from our Zoom time this morning…
1. The challenge of wealth
Jesus’ teaching about how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God is striking. In many ways, we might be considered “rich” compared to much of the world. How might our lifestyle or attachment to comfort and possessions become a barrier to fully following Jesus?
2. Where the gospel takes root
There is a sense that the gospel often spreads powerfully in places where people are less attached to material things. It raises the question of whether having less can sometimes make people more open to God. What might this teach us about simplicity and openness to faith?
3. Children and the rich man: a contrast
The contrast between little children and the rich man is powerful. Children come with dependence and trust, while the rich man struggles to let go of what he has. What things in our lives might we be holding onto that could become a stumbling block to following Jesus?
4. A childlike heart
Jesus welcomes children and points to them as an example of how to receive the kingdom of God—with trust, wonder, and dependence. What might it look like for us to approach God with that same kind of childlike faith?
5. Trusting Jesus above everything
Across these passages there is a consistent theme of trusting Jesus more than anything else—more than possessions, relationships, or our own sense of security. What areas of life do we find hardest to fully trust God with?
6. Letting go of self-reliance
The rich man’s struggle also reflects the challenge of self-reliance. Following Jesus often means letting go of the idea that we can manage life on our own. In what ways might we rely on ourselves instead of depending on God?
7. “All things are possible with God”
Jesus reminds his disciples that what seems impossible for people is possible with God. This brings hope, especially when we think about others coming to faith. How does this encourage us to keep praying for those we long to see come to know Jesus?
8. The call to wholehearted response
Ultimately, this passage points to the importance of our heart attitude toward God—whether we respond with trust, openness, and willingness to follow. What might a wholehearted response to Jesus look like in our lives today?