If you were to go through your closet, basement, or garage, what would you find that you’ve been holding onto for way too long?

If someone was to describe you with three words, what would they be?

Read Mark 10:17-20. What is everything you notice about the man who approached Jesus? Examine Jesus’ words in verses 18 and 19. Why does Jesus answer the man this way? How do you relate to the young ruler who had been living “right,” but felt something was missing?

Read Mark 10:21. Notice the first thing Jesus did was love the man. That is what He does with us even when we don’t feel we deserve it. How can you be more like Jesus when people approach you for whatever reason? Did Jesus really want this man’s wealth? If not, what did He want? Does He still want the same thing from people today? From you?

Read Mark 10:22. The young ruler goes away sad. He ran to Jesus but went away sad because he didn’t want to give up everything. What are some things you want from your relationship with Jesus? What are some things from your life that you are trying to hold onto that are hindering your relationship with the Lord?

Read Proverbs 3:5-6. How does this relate to the story in Mark 10? How does this relate to you today?

Read Luke 9:23. Jesus is telling us that to receive our new life, we have to leave our old life. What part of your old life are you finding most difficult to lay at Jesus’ feet? What does it mean to take up your cross daily?

Pray this prayer daily this week. God I’m letting go of _______, to take hold of Your _______.

This week, listen to the song "Made for More" several times. Each time recognize a part that speaks to your old life or new life with Christ and pray specifically about that.

Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice that gave us the ability to have a new life in You. Please forgive us for the times that we’ve stumbled back to our old life and treated it like it has a place alongside You. Through Your fountain of Grace, You have freed us from the bondage of our old life and set us on a path that is so much greater than anything we could have imagined. Please help us to stay on that path, as in our human weakness we so often veer in a direction that we used to know and follow. Give us the wisdom and the fortitude to trust completely in You with all of our hearts and not to lean on old understandings. Go with us this week and give us the strength to pick up our cross daily and to lay those old stumbling blocks at Your feet. We ask this in Your most holy and immaculate name, Amen.