The Rich Young Ruler: One Thing You Lack
Mark 10:17-27; Matthew 19:16-26; Luke 18:18-27; Hebrews 13:5 New Testament PrincipleContentment
A rich man ran up to Jesus, knelt and asked, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said he had kept the commandments since he was a boy. Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," Jesus said. "Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." But the man went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God's kingdom – but "all things are possible with God." Contentment means being satisfied with what we have, because Jesus is our greatest treasure.
Contentment is being satisfied with what God has given us instead of always wanting more. We can be content because Jesus is our treasure and God has promised, "Never will I leave you."
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you."”
Hebrews 13:5 BSB
The Big Story · Redemption
Sin makes us love things more than God. Jesus came to rescue us and become our greatest treasure, and what's impossible for people to do, God can do.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- Object lesson: Through the needle
- Ellie’s Lab (science experiment): The narrow jar
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Treasure pass
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Preschool (ages 3–5)
Jesus is my best treasure.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Tight hands, open hands, Color Jesus and the man
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, with friends
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
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Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
A rich man ran to Jesus and asked how to get life forever with God. Jesus looked at him and loved him. "Sell what you have and give to the poor," Jesus said. "Then come, follow Me." But the man went away sad, because he loved his money. Jesus said, "All things are possible with God." We can be content with what we have, because Jesus is our best treasure.
Memory verse
“Be content with what you have, for God has said: "Never will I leave you."”
Adapted from Hebrews 13:5
Start here
Do "Through the needle" with the yarn needle and rope. Ask, "Could a camel fit through here?" Say, "Jesus said something like that. Let's find out why."
Bible story 6 min
One day Jesus was walking down a road. A man ran up to Him and knelt down in the dirt. The man was very rich.
"Good Teacher," he said. "What must I do to have life with God forever?"
Jesus said, "You know God's rules. Don't kill. Don't steal. Don't lie. Love your mom and dad."
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
One thing you lack 10 min
You’ll need: A heavy bag or backpack
- Choose a narrator, Jesus, the rich man, Peter and some disciples.
- Act out the skit. The rich man hugs the heavy bag as he walks away.
- Switch parts so more kids get a turn.
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
3rd – 4th grade
A rich young ruler ran to Jesus and asked, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" He claimed he had kept the commandments since he was young. Jesus looked at him and loved him, and said, "One thing you lack. Sell everything, give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." The man went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus said it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle – but "all things are possible with God." We can be content with what we have, because Jesus is our greatest treasure.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Holding on or following?, Treasure pass
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: online and on screens, with friends, at home
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
A rich young ruler ran to Jesus asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. He believed he had kept the commandments, but Jesus, looking at him with love, named the one thing he lacked – a heart free from his wealth – and invited him to give to the poor and follow Him. The man walked away sorrowful. Jesus' camel-and-needle picture shows salvation is impossible for us, rich or poor, yet "all things are possible with God." Contentment grows when Jesus, not what we own, is our treasure.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 6 discussion questions
- 2 activities: What owns you?, Open hands
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: online and on screens, with friends, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Contentment
The same principle in other Bible stories.
