Introduction: If someone is really special, you may say they are “all that and a bag of chips.” Some people even think of themselves that way.
Question: What is your favorite bag of chips?
We are going to look at a story where someone thought of themselves as “all that and a bag of chips.”
Luke 18:18-21
– A certain ruler started a conversation with Jesus.
– Other gospels mention that he was a rich, young ruler.
Question: What are some temptations this man would probably have faced as a rich, young ruler? (Partying, sex, arrogance, spoiled, etc…)
Question: Does it sound like he gave into these temptations?
Jesus responded to this rich, young ruler by saying, “Why do you call me good? No one is good – except God alone.”
Question: How does society usually determine whether someone is good or bad? (The law, niceness, the golden rule, etc…)
Question: Do you think Jesus would have been considered a good person by society’s standards?
Question: Did Jesus’ society view Him as a good person?
Interestingly, goodness is very subjective. People could be considered good by some, and bad by others. Some societies may view someone as good, and other societies as bad. Jesus’ response indicated that He didn’t even view Himself as “good.” However, we know that Jesus was perfect.
Question: What was Jesus trying to teach or convey to this rich, young ruler? (That he wasn’t a good person.)
Luke 18:22-23
– Jesus said to the rich young ruler, “You still lack one thing.”
– This is probably not what the rich ruler wanted to hear.
Question: How would you feel if Jesus said this about you?
Question: What was the one thing? (Everything!)
This rich, young ruler thought of himself as “all that and a bag of chips.” Jesus asked him to give up “all that and a bag of chips.” Why? Because you have to give up your life to follow Jesus.
Question: Do you think there are many religious people that would be willing to tell someone they lack one thing?
This rich, young ruler went away sad. He was still in the same situation he was in before talking to Jesus, but he left sad. It is funny how the things we sometimes hold on to don’t really make us happy anyways.
Challenge: Don’t think of yourself as “all that and a bag of chips.” No one is good – except God alone. We need to find people that are willing to tell us what we are still lacking so that we can give up “all that and a bag of chips” to follow Jesus!
