Matthew 19:16-30

Click Here to read Matthew 19:16-30.

• What one word or idea stood out to you and why?
• What do you think Jesus is teaching about the Kingdom of God/Heaven?
• Why do you think it is so hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God? Harder than putting a whole camel through the eye of a needle. 
• Why is the sheep in the cardboard box smiling as he sleeps?
• If I gave one of you a bag of candy right now, what would you do with it?
• Do you remember that Jesus is disguised as hungry people, or sick people or people in prison? Did you think of giving some hungry people some candy?

Mine! Children do not need to be taught the word ‘mine’. “That’s mine.” “It was mine and she took it!” How many fights have you had with your brother or sister or a friend over what is ‘mine’? It is hard not to think of your toys or the candy in the bowl as ‘mine’. The same can be true with adults who are rich. It can be easy to think it is all ‘mine’. It is hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven because they probably worked hard to make their money so it is natural for them to think of it as their own. 

Rich people who will enter the Kingdom of Heaven understand that their money is not their own and that they are completely dependent upon God for salvation. Their money is from God. They are aware of the poor and needy and freely spend money to help them. What is most important to people in the Kingdom of God is advancing the Kingdom of God. If the best way to advance the Kingdom of God is to give up your money, your family, your home or your candy then you will happily do so. God says that He will replace what you give up for His Kingdom with 100 times more and that you will have eternal life.