Lent: From Death to Security - Week 3
Opening Prayer:
Lord God,
Free us from the weight of our desires and expectations, so that we might be greater bearers of Your love,
Because we have been all the more transformed by Your love and Your grace.
You came to give life; show where we stifle what You would have flourish.
Our security and hope are found only in You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Key Scripture:
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”
20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard 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 someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”
29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along 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
Sermon Summary:
This week we focused on Mark 10:13-31, exploring the "death to life" motif of letting go of worldly weights — specifically wealth — to pick up a freer walk with God. The message begins with Jesus welcoming little children and rebuking the disciples' disapproval. Jesus emphasizes that the kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it like a child, which requires a relationship of total trust and dependence. This serves as a direct contrast to the subsequent story of a wealthy man who seeks to "inherit eternal life" but is hindered by his self-reliance.
The encounter with the rich young man highlights a momentous scene where Jesus looks at him and loves him before delivering a "high-challenge" invitation. Jesus identifies that the man lacks "one thing" and instructs him to sell his possessions and give to the poor to gain treasure in heaven. Despite Jesus' love, the man goes away sad because his great wealth acted as a barrier. The sermon reflects on the "deceitfulness of wealth," noting that while it is humanly impossible for the rich to enter the kingdom, all things are possible with God.
Duane offered a "perspective on poverty," noting God's particular concern for the materially poor and unreached. The example of Amy Carmichael, who served as a missionary in India for 55 years, illustrates the beauty of leaving wealth behind to serve others. One thing suggested is that wealth can be viewed through the lens of our relationships with God, ourselves, others, and the world – our 4 key relationships. A truly "rich life" involves experiencing reconciliation with God and being secure in one's identity and purpose in community with others for the benefit of the world. Conversely, other forms of wealth — such as status or exclusive networks — can become barriers to participating in the kingdom.
Finally, we address Peter’s observation that the disciples left everything to follow Jesus. Jesus reassures them that those who leave worldly comforts for the gospel will receive a "hundred times as much" in this life and eternal life in the age to come. We are encouraged to practice worship as an "antidote" to the things that hold onto us. Worship is described as a way to reorder our loves, bringing freedom and health as we learn to trust Jesus more deeply. Everything we do stems from God’s love for us and our grateful worship of Him as our God and Saviour. Worship is the foundation to freedom from the burden of “wealth.”
Discussion Guide:
This discussion guide is designed to help your small group engage with the themes of Mark 10:13–31. The central motif of our Lent journey is the "death to life" pattern; letting go of the weights that hold us back — specifically the baggage of wealth — and picking up a life of freer trust in God.
Scripture Reading
Read Mark 10:13–31 together. As you read, pay attention to the contrast between the "total trust" of the infants and the "sadness" of the man with great wealth.
Pause for Perspective
Use these three sections to guide your conversation.
1. Perspective on Poverty: God’s "Disproportionate Love"
The sermon notes that God has a "bias to the poor," which can sometimes feel jarring or unfair.
Discussion: How do you react to the idea of God having "favourites"?
The Amy Carmichael Example: Amy Carmichael left wealth behind to serve the poor in India for 55 years, stating: "You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving".
Reflection: Where do you see "historic distribution and access issues" in your local community this week? How can we celebrate "disproportionate love" toward those in need?
2. Perspective on Wealth: Beyond the Bank Account
Jesus defines wealth and poverty in relational terms — our relationship with God, self, others, and the world.
Discussion: If wealth includes your networks, your "seat at the table," your insurance, and your freedoms, are you wealthier than you think?
Discussion: How does broken relationships with God, ourselves, each other, and our world directly lead to material poverty?
The Needle’s Eye: Jesus uses the metaphor of a camel squeezing through a tiny space —it only works if the "luggage" is unloaded.
Reflection: What is the "luggage of life" (self-reliance or independence) that makes it hard for you to enter the kingdom like a dependent child?
3. Perspective on Eternity: Costly Grace
The rich young man was "earnest, young, and righteous," yet he went away sad because he was not willing to let go.
Discussion: Jesus loved the man, yet he did not "chase him down" or negotiate the cost. Is there a danger that we believe in a "cheap grace" that doesn't require the cross?
Hopeful Characters: Consider Barnabas (who sold a field for the mission), Nicodemus, or Joanna. These people moved from "timid and distracted" to "bold and intentional".
Practices:
Individual Practice: The Worship Antidote
Worship is described as an "antidote" to the things that hold onto us.
This Week: Commit to a specific act of worship that "reorders your love". This might be through song, but it also includes "welcoming strangers, walking in forgiveness, or acting justly".
Community Practice: "Spending Yourselves"
Based on Isaiah 58, the church is called to a "high-invitation, high-challenge" moment to satisfy the needs of the oppressed.
The Prayer Poster: Review the "people and places" the church is supporting globally. How can you join in the church’s global work?
Local Action: Discuss how your group can practically respond to local needs—perhaps through "local lunches" where you welcome strangers as friends. How does your group become aware of your local neighbourhood’s needs? How do you respond?
Additional Resources:
For a printable version of this guide click here