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Teaching the Liturgical Year

The Rich Young Man – Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Gospels Life of Christ

Lesson Overview

In this week’s Gospel passage a rich man asks Jesus what he must do to attain eternal life. Jesus’ answer is challenging to us all. In this lesson, students will compare Jesus’ teaching to the messages from our current culture about the meaning of life. 

Lesson Materials

Lower Elementary: Gospel Reading
Lower Elementary: The Meaning of Life Activity
Lower Elementary: The Meaning of Life Discussion Guide
Upper Elementary: Gospel Reading
Upper Elementary: The Meaning of Life Activity
Upper Elementary: The Meaning of Life Discussion Guide

Activity I 

  1. Have students complete the section labeled “Before reading this week’s Gospel” from The Meaning of Life Activity. They may work with a partner or independently. 
  2. Next, read the Gospel passage aloud to your students as they follow along. Then discuss the focus and reflection questions with them as a class. 
  3. Then, conduct a class discussion about the meaning of life using The Meaning of Life Discussion Guide. 
  4. Conclude by having students answer the remaining reflection questions from The Meaning of Life Activity. You may have them work with a partner, independently, or discuss the questions together as a class. 

Focus Questions Answer Key

  1. What question did the rich man ask of Jesus? What must I do to inherit eternal life? 
  2. What was Jesus’ first response to the rich man’s question? Follow the commandments. 
  3. Then the rich man told Jesus that he had observed all of these from his youth. Now what did Jesus tell him to do? Go, sell all that you have, give to the poor, and come and follow Him. 
  4. Why did the rich man leave feeling sad? He had many possessions that he did not want to part with. 
  5. What did Jesus teach about how hard it is to enter into the Kingdom of God? Jesus taught that it is difficult for someone to enter the Kingdom of God, especially those with wealth. He used the analogy that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom. 
  6. What is the only way for anyone to enter into the Kingdom of God? By God alone.  

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