Topic: A FULFILLED LIFE  [Church of God Mission International] Above Only Daily Devotional 15 May   2022

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CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL

DATE: SUNDAY 15th MAY, ,2022

(HYMN: S S & S 577″I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR”)

TOPIC: A FULFILLED LIFE
TEXT: Mk 10:17-31

CENTRAL THOUGHT:
Godliness with contentment is great gain

INTRODUCTION
A rich and zealous young man came to Jesus to enquire about the ways of the kingdom of God. With apparent humility and seemingly religious fervency, he engaged the Lord Jesus in a conversation about the requirements for eternal life. Jesus loved him and told him the whole truth, but he became offended, and left sorrowfully.
Though he was wealthy and kept the basic commandment of Moses, he felt his future was still bleak as far as eternal life was concerned. He came with a mindset that has limit on what he was willing to entertain from the ‘good master’. He decided to opt for his wealth instead of eternal life.
Fulfiiin life means different people, depending on one’s understanding of the purpose of life.

LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of this lesson are to:

1. Discuss the attitude of the rich young man to his wealth
2. Identify some things in life that can possibly compete with our love for God
3. Examine the ideal christian attitude towards wealth
4. Identify the rewards in serving God
5. List the hallmarks of a fulfilled christian life

BIBLE TRUTH
QUESTION 1.
1a) WHAT WERE THE MORAL QUALITIES OF THE RICH YOUNG MAN ? Mk 10:17-20
The rich young man had some striking moral qualities. He was very mindful and eager about eternal life. He was also a conscious keeper of the basic commandments given through Moses. He was very sensitive to the extra ordinary nature of Jesus, hence he called Him ‘Good Master’. He presented himself as one who was desirous of knowledge and zealous to do more.

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QUESTION (1b)
WHAT LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM THE LIFE OF THIS RICH YOUNG MAN ?
The young man was very religious and he carefully observed the letters of the Law, but within him, there was still a big vacuum and a measure of doubt as to his access to eternal life. We need more than a routine set of Laws to be at peace with God. He expected Jesus to advise him along his parochial mindset, and when that was not the case , he left with offence. We must learn to approach God with openness and we must not set bounds on God in our lives. His excessive attachment to his wealth was his major obstacle to eternal life. There is no prize too great to pay to have the kingdom of God.

QUESTION (2a).
WHAT WAS LACKING IN THE LIFE OF THE RICH YOUNG MAN ? Mk 10:22
Though the young man had some credits of morality in his store, he lacked some basic ingredients needed to relate effectively with God for a fulfilled life.
First, he lacked knowledge of the source and purpose of wealth. He did not realise that he was a custodian of wealth from God for the service of God and humanity. His openness to God was limited, and so was his trust in God as the provider of the resources. In conclusion, he was rich in material terms but very poor in matters of the soul.

QUESTION (2b).
IDENTIFY SOME THINGS IN LIFE THAT CAN POSSIBLY COMPETE WITH OUR LOVE FOR GOD. Jn 22:15-17.
Our indulgences, ambitions, pains, possessions and affiliations all have capacity to interfere with our love for God if not properly situated. Such things as wealth, power, fame, vocation, family, leisure and pleasurebcan impede our love for God if we are obsessed about them. Adversities of life such as bereavement, economics challenges, health issues, marital troubles and general insecurity can choke our love for God. We must therefore be deeply rooted in our faith and give first priority to the salvation of our souls.

QUESTION 3.
EXPLAIN THE REFUSAL OF THE YOUNG MAN TO FOLLOW JESU. MK 10:22; Lk 14:28; Jn 6:53-61; 2 Tim 4:2-4
The young man was unable bear the hard truth Jesus told him. May be he expected Jesus to validate his mindset, but he was disappointed since that didn’t happen. Next, he feared the eventual cost of such a decision to give up his wealth. The fear of the unknown future and the absence of faith in God made him to turn Jesus down. The inherent pride often associated with wealth had the upper part of him this time around. His impatience at the suggestion of giving up his wealth and the notion of following the ‘Good Master’ made him to abandon the quest for eternal life. The rules of the kingdom have no provision of ego or pride and does not accept selective obedience, which are not ingredients for a fulfilled life

QUESTION (4a)
DISCUSS JESUS’ STATEMENT ABOUT ‘RICH MAN’ ENTERING KINGDOM
This statement must neither be interpreted in isolation nor viewed in absolute literal terms. The emphasis is on trusting in riches and being blinded to eternal truth because of wealth. Those who trust in riches may have their fill in this life but are without hope of eternal life. The danger is not in having wealth but in trusting in wealth to the detriment of the soul. Every believer is therefore expected to strike a godly balance in all processes of acquisition and use of wealth.

QUESTION (4b).
WHAT SHOULD BE THE BELIEVER’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS WEALTH ?
Phil 3:4-8; 1 Tim 6:17-19; Matt 25:35-40.
Every believer should have the right mentality about wealth. It is from God. It is to be used to serve God’s purpose and it is an earthly phenomenon. It is not sin in itself but has great power to divert focus from God. Wealth does not exclude us from holy living or physical service in the house of God. For the believer, wealth is an endowment from God for the work of the ministry and not just for riotous and wanton living.

QUESTION (5a).
WAS APOSTLE PETER WRONG IN THINKING ABOUT REWARD ? Mk 10:28
Peter’s question was a necessary one to establish the faith of the disciples. The believer must be clear about the hope he has in Christ. It will serve to fuel his zeal and passion for the work of God. Believers should know that beyond the cross there is a crown and a blaze of glory. God faithfully not just for the terrible consequences of doing otherwise but also by the unimaginable splendour and glory that await us in eternity.

QUESTION (5b).
WHAT ARE THE REWARDS IN GIVING UP EVERYTHING TO FOLLOW JESUS ? Mk 10:29-31
There are rewards for everyone who has made some sacrifice to follow Christ. Some of the rewards are earthly, some materials and others are eternal. Prominent among these rewards blessings of unspeakable peace and joy, divine protection, supernatural provision, total prosperity, gift of a new and eternal family bonded together by the love of God. The eternal reward is eternal life which is made up of commendation from God, a crown of glory and authority, and compensation for all the earthly travails.

QUESTION 6.
WHAT ATE THE HALLMARKS OF A FULFILLED CHRISTIAN LIFE ?
To the believer, a fulfilled life is one that knows God and His perfect will and who lives according to divine purpose. It is a life of selfless service that is anchored on faith in God, and has made right impressions on other lives to the extent that God’s name is glorified. A fulfilled life is indicated by the extent one was able to achieve divine mandate and the boldness with which we approach eternity.

   DAILY LIVING APPLICATION

The wealth, popularity and morality of the rich young man could not satisfy his inner spiritual yearning. There was a vacuum which the material things of this world could not fill. It takes the love of God and a total acceptance of His will for us to have fulfillment in this life.

MEMORY VERSE
Matthew 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

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