Sunday School Lesson: "What Lack I Yet?" - The Rich Young Man

Opening Discussion (5 minutes)

"Think of a time when you received feedback about something you could improve. How did it feel? Was it helpful or discouraging?"

The Story: Matthew 19:16-22, Mark 10:17-31 (10 minutes)

Setting the Scene

A wealthy young man approaches Jesus. He's not just rich—he's a ruler, probably educated, and appears to have lived a righteous life. He genuinely wants to know how to inherit eternal life.

The Conversation Unfolds:

1. The Question: "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" (Matthew 19:16)
2. Jesus' First Response: Keep the commandments—don't kill, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness; honor your parents, love your neighbor as yourself.
3. The Young Man's Reply: "All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?" (Matthew 19:20)
4. Jesus' Challenge: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me." (Matthew 19:21)
5. The Outcome: "But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions." (Matthew 19:22)

Key Teaching Moment

Notice that Jesus didn't condemn the young man for his wealth initially. The issue wasn't money itself, but what had become his master. President Joseph F. Smith taught that "the difficulty with the young man he had great possessions, and he preferred to rely upon his wealth rather" than trust fully in the Lord.

Modern Analogy: The Mountain Climber (5 minutes)

Imagine a skilled mountain climber who has successfully conquered many peaks. He approaches an expert guide, asking, "What do I need to reach the summit of this highest mountain?"

The guide reviews his equipment and training: "You have good boots, proper ropes, knowledge of safety techniques—excellent foundation."

The climber asks, "What lack I yet?"

The guide points to his massive, expensive backpack full of luxury camping gear: "That beautiful pack is weighing you down. For this summit, you need to leave it behind and trust the mountain to provide what you truly need."

The climber looks at his prized gear—the pack that made him feel secure and distinguished him from other climbers. He walks away, unwilling to part with what had become his identity and security.

Discussion: What "backpacks" might we carry that could prevent us from following Christ more fully?

Elder Lawrence's Teaching: "A Course of Steady Improvement" (10 minutes)

Elder Larry R. Lawrence taught that "the journey of discipleship is not an easy one. It has been called a 'course of steady improvement'" and "as we travel along that strait and narrow path, the Spirit continually challenges us to be better and to climb higher."

Key Principles from Elder Lawrence:

1. Ask the Right Question: "A perfect time to ask, 'What lack I yet?' is when we take the sacrament. … In this reverent atmosphere, as our thoughts are turned heavenward, the Lord can gently tell us what we need to work on next."
2. Small and Simple Things: The Spirit might tell us simple things like "stop complaining," "clean up your language," or "don't interrupt people when they are talking."
3. One Step at a Time: Changes "can be small and simple and should be taken one day at a time."

Church History Examples: When Saints Left Everything (8 minutes)

The Kirtland Experience

In the 1830s, many early Saints literally gave up everything to gather to Kirtland, Ohio. They sold farms, businesses, and homes to follow the prophet's counsel. When persecution forced them to leave Kirtland, they lost most of their investments but remained faithful.

The Nauvoo Exodus

Consider Lucius Nelson Scovil, who "joined the LDS Church in 1837 in Kirtland, Ohio, thereafter serving many LDS missions. Numerous times he lost everything he owned in the face of mob violence. In 1840, he and family landed in Nauvoo, Illinois, penniless." Yet he continued to sacrifice and serve.

The Pioneer Journey

Between 1847 and 1869, "more than 70,000 people crossed the plains to get to Salt Lake City." Many left comfortable lives in the East to follow their prophet to an unknown desert. Unlike the rich young man, they chose discipleship over possessions.

Modern Pioneers

President Hinckley taught that pioneering continues: "All over the world we have pioneers" and to members in various countries he said, "you are now pioneers in this time."

Discussion Questions (10 minutes)

1. Personal Reflection: If you had been the rich young man, what do you think would have been hardest about Jesus' request?
2. Modern Application: What are some "great possessions" (not necessarily money) that might keep us from following Christ more fully today?
   • Time commitments
   • Social status
   • Comfort zones
   • Pride
   • Habits or addictions
   • Fear of what others think
3. The Right Heart: How can we develop the spiritual maturity to ask "What lack I yet?" and be ready to act on the answer?

Practical Application: Personal Inventory (5 minutes)

Individual Activity: Have class members quietly consider:

• What one thing might the Lord want me to work on next?
• What "possession" (physical, emotional, or spiritual) might be preventing my progress?
• How can I make asking "What lack I yet?" a regular part of my spiritual routine?

Testimony and Closing (2 minutes)

The rich young man's story isn't ultimately about wealth—it's about what we're willing to sacrifice to follow the Savior. The pioneers, both ancient and modern, show us that when we put the Lord first, He provides what we truly need. Through personalized revelation, the Holy Ghost can tell us how we can improve, if we have the courage to ask and the faith to act.

Challenge for the Week: During sacrament meeting, quietly ask yourself, "What lack I yet?" and listen for the Spirit's gentle guidance. Then choose one small thing to work on.