Ice Breaker

What honor, award, or achievement would you say is your greatest accomplishment? What did you have to do to earn it?

This week’s sermon was focused on the rich young ruler as an example of the Enneagram Type 3 – The Achiever. The following questions are to help us understand The Achiever and ourselves better.

Read Mark 10:17-27

1. What did the rich young ruler want from Jesus? (Mark 10:17)

From Sermon Notes: Achievers are constantly thinking about the future. The achiever’s inner need – to achieve. The Achiever reflects God’s hope. The beauty of the Achiever: They’re not limited to what we see in the world. They see things that aren’t.

  •   How are Achievers valuable to the Kingdom of God and His church?
  •   How can we support the Achievers in our lives and the church to be empowered to be successful?
  •   How can we love the Achiever in our lives? (See Sermon Notes)

2. Why do you think Jesus started with what appears to be a mild rebuke? (Mark 10:18) and then continues with some of the ten commandments? (Roman 3:19-20)

3. How did the young man see himself? (Mark 10:20, 22)

From Sermon Notes: Achievers want to make a difference. The motivation of Achievers: To be successful. It’s hard for an Achiever to be real. The Achiever’s core sin: Lying.

  •   How was the rich young ruler lying to himself?
  •   Do you find it easy or difficult to see your own flaws and to be honest with yourself?
  •   What strategies could you employ to remain real with yourself and others? In what way could your circle group and accountability partners help you to deal honestly with yourself and others?

From Sermon Notes: The underlying emotion of the Achiever is shame.

  •   How did the rich young ruler respond when he could not earn eternal life?
  •   How do you respond when you are unsuccessful or when things appear difficult?
  •   Why is perseverance important in the Christian walk? (Romans 5:3–5, Hebrews 12:1–3; James 1:2–4)

4. How did Jesus show him that he is placing his value in the wrong place? (Mark 10:19,21, Matthew 6:19-21, 1 Timothy 6:17-19)

  •   How can an achievement and future focus become detrimental to yourself, others and the church? How can it affect your relationship with God?
  •   In what areas in your life have you put too much value in the wrong place? What have you done or could you do to shift your priorities?

5. Did Jesus say that he had to sell everything to gain eternal life? Why or why not?

  •   Why is it hard for the rich, or anyone, to enter the kingdom of God? (Mark 10:23, 24, 27)
  •   Who then can be saved? (Mark 10:21, 27; Hebrews 7:24–25; Romans 10:8–10)

Praise God for threes because: There’s no compelling vision without you. There’s bigger Kingdom impact with you. You see how ministry can be done. You have big faith. You’re ambitious for people seeing hope in Jesus. You sacrifice greatly. Thank God for you!

The story of you only makes sense within the big story of God.