“May 13–19. Matthew 19–20; Mark 10; Luke 18: ‘What Lack I Yet?’” Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2019 (2019)
“May 13–19. Matthew 19–20; Mark 10; Luke 18,” Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: 2019
May 13–19
Matthew 19–20; Mark 10; Luke 18
“What Lack I Yet?”
Read and ponder Matthew 19–20; Mark 10; and Luke 18, paying attention to the promptings you receive. Make note of those promptings, and determine how you will act on them.
Record Your Impressions
If you had the opportunity to ask the Savior a question, what would it be? When a certain rich young man met the Savior for the first time, he asked, “What good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16). The Savior’s response showed both appreciation for the good things the young man had already done and loving encouragement to do more. When we ponder the possibility of eternal life, we may similarly wonder if there’s more we should be doing. When we ask, in our own way, “What lack I yet?” (Matthew 19:20), the Lord can give us answers that are just as personal as His response to the rich young man. Whatever the Lord asks us to do, acting on His answer will always require that we trust Him more than our own righteousness (see Luke 18:9–14) and that we “receive the kingdom of God as a little child” (Luke 18:17; see also 3 Nephi 9:22).
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God.
This interchange between the Savior and the Pharisees is one of the few recorded instances in which the Savior taught specifically about marriage. After reading Matthew 19:1–9 and Mark 10:1–12, make a list of several statements that you feel summarize the Lord’s views on marriage. Then study “Marriage” in Gospel Topics, topics.lds.org, and add more statements to your list as you discover them. How does your knowledge of the Father’s plan of salvation help you understand why marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God?
Eternal marriage is part of God’s plan.
You may know people who disagree with or oppose the Lord’s standards regarding marriage. For a helpful depiction of how to have a respectful conversation with them, see the video “Everyday Example: When Beliefs Are Questioned” (LDS.org).
Did Jesus teach that divorce is never acceptable or that divorced people should not remarry?
In an address on divorce, Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught that Heavenly Father intends for the marriage relationship to be eternal. However, God also understands that “because of the hardness of [our] hearts” (Matthew 19:8), including the poor choices and selfishness of one or both spouses, divorce is sometimes necessary.
Elder Oaks explained that the Lord “permits divorced persons to marry again without the stain of immorality specified in the higher law. Unless a divorced member has committed serious transgressions, he or she can become eligible for a temple recommend under the same worthiness standards that apply to other members” (“Divorce,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 70).
See also “Divorce,” Gospel Topics, topics.lds.org.
Matthew 19:16–22; Mark 10:17–22; Luke 18:18–23
If I ask the Lord, He will teach me what I need to do to inherit eternal life.
The account of the rich young man can give pause even to the faithful, lifelong disciple. As you read Mark 10:17–22, what evidence do you find of the young man’s faithfulness and sincerity?
Like the rich young man, we are all imperfect and incomplete, so as disciples we must ask, “What lack I yet?”—and we should ask it throughout our lives. Notice that the answer is given out of love from the One who beholds us for who we truly are (see Mark 10:21). What can you do to prepare to ask the Lord what you lack—and to accept His answer?
See also Larry R. Lawrence, “What Lack I Yet?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 33–35; S. Mark Palmer, “Then Jesus Beholding Him Loved Him,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 114–16.
Everyone can receive the blessing of eternal life, no matter when they accept the gospel.
Can you relate to the experience of any of the laborers in the vineyard? What lessons do you find for yourself in this passage? Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s message “The Laborers in the Vineyard” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 31–33) might help you see new ways to apply this parable. What additional promptings does the Spirit give to you?
Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Family Home Evening
As you read the scriptures with your family, the Spirit can help you know what principles to emphasize and discuss in order to meet the needs of your family. Here are some suggestions:
Would your family benefit from discussing God’s teachings about marriage and family? If so, you could read “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 129). How do the teachings in the proclamation help clear up confusion and falsehoods in the world’s messages regarding marriage and families?
What is the difference between having riches and trusting in riches? (see Mark 10:23–24). As you read verse 27, you may want to point out the Joseph Smith Translation: “With men that trust in riches, it is impossible; but not impossible with men who trust in God and leave all for my sake, for with such all these things are possible” (in Mark 10:27, footnote a).
To illustrate the principles in Matthew 20:1–16, you might set up a simple competition, such as a short race, and promise that the winner will get a prize. After everyone has completed the competition, award everyone the same prize, starting with the person who finished last and ending with the person who finished first. What does this teach us about who receives the blessings of eternal life in Heavenly Father’s plan?
What is the meaning of the phrase “whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant”? (Matthew 20:27). How did Jesus Christ exemplify this principle? How can we follow His example in our family, our ward or branch, and our neighborhood?
What do we learn about prayer from the two parables in these verses?
For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.
Improving Personal Study
Find a time that works for you. It is often easiest to learn when you can study the scriptures without being interrupted. Find a time that works for you, and do your best to consistently study at that time each day.
Christ and the Rich Young Ruler, by Heinrich Hofmann