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One day a young ruler came to Jesus and fell on his knees before him. He said, "Good teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?"
Jesus told him to keep the commandments. "Which ones?" the man asked.
Jesus started quoting some of the 10 commandments; "Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother."
Then he mentions a commandment, not one of the 10 commandments, but one from the book of Leviticus, "Love your neighbor as yourself." In Leviticus 19:18 the people were told to not seek revenge, or to bear a grudge against one of their people, but instead they were to love their neighbor as they loved themselves.
The young man said he had kept all these commands from the time he was a boy. He had lived a good life. The Bible says that Jesus looked at him and loved him, but Jesus looked into the man's heart and saw something that was keeping him from becoming a follower.
Jesus told him that he still lacked one thing; he must sell the things he owned and give the money to the poor. Then he would have treasure in heaven, and he could follow Jesus.
The young man's face fell and he sadly went away because he had great riches that he would not part with.
After the young man left, Jesus talked to his disciples about how hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. "It is easier", he said, "for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, but with God all things are possible."
Read the story in Spanish
Un Gobernador Joven y Rico
Read the story in Amharic
What does this story
mean to me?
When we read the story of the young ruler we learn the importance of putting Jesus first. The ruler thought he was a really good person. He did not mistreat people, and he obeyed the laws.
But the love of money was his weakness. He probably thought that he could take care of himself without God's help.
Whether you have a little money or a lot during your lifetime, you still need God's help.
Sometimes children use their allowance money to help others rather than spending it on themselves. They have learned to put God first. You can learn at an early age to put God and others ahead of yourself. You will be blessed if you do.
Memory Verse
No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Matthew 6:24 (NIV)
REVIEW
(Rest the mouse lightly over the ??? to see the answers in the alternate tags.)
1.What did the young man want to receive?
2. How many of the 10 commandments did Jesus quote?
3. Which command from the book of Leviticus did Jesus quote?
4.What did Jesus ask the man to do?
5. What was keeping the young man from following Jesus?
6. To what did Jesus compare a rich man?
7. Is it possible for a rich person to trust in God instead of riches?
You can read about the rich young man in the Bible in
Luke 18:18-30
PRINTABLES
Lesson
Test
Multiple Choice Test
Alphabetical Order
The Rich Young Ruler - Word Search
The Rich Young Ruler - Crossword Puzzle
The Rich Young Ruler - Word Scramble
Luke 18:24-27 Fill-in the Blanks
Online and Printable Coloring Pictures about The Friends of Jesus
Bible Colour and Learn: 17 People in The Life of Jesus
By Day One Publications
The 20-volume Bible Colour and Learn series will enable even the youngest child to explore the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Children will have fun coloring the illustrations on the right-hand side page - while an adult reads the words of explanation on the left-hand side. Books 1 & 2 introduce the Old and New Testament. Other volumes cover the books of the bible, highlighting the important stories and themes.
Volume 17 illustrates Matthew, Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, Jairus, Martha, the unfaithful woman, Mary Magdalene, the rich young ruler, Zacchaeus, Judas Iscariot, Pontius Pilate, Simon of Cyrene, the 2 robbers, Joseph of Arimathea, Thomas, and the disciples on the road to Emmaus.
Search for Spanish Bible Stories
Spanish New Testament Bible Activities
English VersionThe Rich Ruler - Story 214
Raising of Lazarus
Zacchaeus
Page Comments
Most Recent Comments ( See more comments on this page ) 2012-07-21
This is a wonderful life lesson. This story turned my life around back in 1998. At that time my riches and possession had me and I had no life. These possessions had my life and had control of me. This lesson freed me from my possession and prepared me for the ministry. I went on to study in seminary and have served in the church since. I am now a Christian life coach; coachcobbs.com. If you need inspiration or encouragement you can reach me at ken_AT_coachcobbs_DOT_com.
Coach Cobbs2012-02-18
Thank you so much for making this information available.
2011-12-08
these are excellent lessons thank you for the time you take to organise them
Leave a Comment View all Comments
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Go to Calvary Chapel and look at story #214 for activities for "The Rich Young Ruler".
They have color sheets, crossword puzzles, word finds, and worksheets.
Graphic courtesy of The Bread Site public domain clipart collection
Puzzles on these pages courtesy of
Songs of Praise and Armored Penguin
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