Read Luke 18:18. The problem with most religious people is that they bring Jesus into their worldview instead of being transformed into his worldview. Just like the rich young man in Luke, many are asking the right life questions, but pursuing the wrong means to true life purpose and meaning. It is easy to get caught up in the religion of consumerism and pursuing the American dream, but finding life and meaning in the accumulation of things distracts from real meaning which is only found in pursuing God and God’s purpose for life.

• Name an advertisement that really caught your attention lately? How does that product or brand appeal to possessing meaning in life?


• What are you currently pursuing in your life with your time, thoughts, and energy?


• Name something that has distracted you from pursuing real meaning found only in Christ.

Read Luke 12:15 & Matthew 6:24-33. Jesus is very clear that meaning is not found in things we accumulate on earth but in seeking the purpose and Kingdom of God. In fact, Jesus says the human heart can’t have or hold onto two great loyalties. The pursuit of the meaningless will also cause you anxiety and stress for you must rely upon yourself instead of God who truly holds all things in God’s hands.

• What is causing you anxiety or stress in your life right now? Is it something that is strictly temporary and/or ultimately meaningless?


• What is dominating your heart or passion right now? How does that bring you meaning?

Read Luke 18:18-27 & Luke 10:4. In order to find true life, you must realign your life priorities to the one consuming priority of following Jesus. And following Jesus, according to the story, means doing what Jesus did and living as Jesus lived. Ultimately this is an issue of trust. Do you really trust God enough to follow Jesus, and live the life of simplicity he calls you to live? It is only in this life of simplicity that you will truly find freedom.

• How much do you trust God and how do you show that trust?


• How does your life of following Jesus mirror the life Jesus lived? Where does it not?


• What do you need to get rid of to simplify your life right now?

Read Luke 18:28-30. Once you find life in following Jesus, you also become a life giving source to those around you in need. You were created to serve God’s purpose in others rather than the pursuit of self interest. It is in living simply that others can simply live that you will find the greatest meaning in life and relationships.

• Describe a time you became a life-giving source to another person in need? Have you ever been served in that way?


• How can you simplify your life to allow God to use you for life giving purposes?


• Where do you need to realign your life priorities to match Jesus’ priorities?