C.A.C Sunday School Lesson For September 14, 2025 Lesson 34: Title - SOME WHO REFUSE JESUS' MENTORSHIP

C.A.C Sunday School Lesson For September 14, 2025 Lesson 34: Title - SOME WHO REFUSE JESUS' MENTORSHIP

Theme : PREPARING GOD'S PEOPLE for LEADERSHIP* 

 JANUARY TO DECEMBER, 2025

 SEPT. 14, 2025.

 

 LESSON 34

 Unit 5: Leadership Preparation In The New Testament (II)

 Topic - SOME WHO REFUSE JESUS' MENTORSHIP

 Memory Scripture

 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life (John 5:40).

Refusing Jesus' mentorship denies transformative wisdom, hindering spiritual growth. The rich young ruler and Judas Iscariot rejected Jesus' guidance for self-interest.

 BRIEF COMMENT

In John 5:40, within the broader context of verses 38-40, Jesus addresses those who refused His mentorship despite witnessing His miraculous works and hearing His teachings. Here, Jesus laments the lack of belief among certain Jews, despite the overwhelming evidence of His divine authority. He highlights that while He offers life and salvation, it is ultimately the choice of each person to accept, or reject His guidance. Our memory verse reminds us that we have the freedom to choose, but there are serious outcomes, if we turn away from Jesus' guidance. Even though Jesus offers us plenty of chances to grow spiritually and change for the better, we must be mindful of the consequences, if we ignore His teachings. In the context of the present Sunday school topic, John 5:40 serves as a touching reminder of the importance of embracing Jesus' teachings and guidance for experiencing true life and fulfilment, most especially, as leaders of His people. 

 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS

 *Mon. 8:* Certainty Often Mishandled (1 Tim. 6:7) 

 *Tue. 9:* Consider Your Ways (Hag. 1:3-6) 

 *Wed. 10:* Demas Loves The World (2 Tim. 4:10) 

 *Thu. 11:* Jesus Is Knocking Your Door (Rev. 3:20) 

 *Fri. 12:* The Laodicean Church (Rev. 3:17) 

 *Sat. 13:* The Rich Fool (Lk. 12:16-21)  

 DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

 1. The pathway to following Christ is a narrow one. It cannot accommodate you and other things.

 2. Following Christ has terms and conditions that must be met. No wonder, lots of people aren't ready to follow Him; they find the path too difficult to tread. Don't follow such foolishness!  

 BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Luke 9:57-62

 AIM AND OBJECTIVES 

 AIM: To show that refusing Jesus' mentorship is disastrous. 

 OBJECTIVES: By the end of this Lesson, learners should be able to: 

i. mention names of some people who were half-hearted followers and refused to follow Jesus; and 

ii. itemise the dangers inherent in refusing to follow Jesus.

 *INTRODUCTION* 

 *TEXTUAL SOURCE: Matthew 26:6-16; Mark 10:17-22* 

In our last lesson, we learnt how Jesus, despite being very busy, took time to help people who were physically challenged. 

Today, we are looking at two examples: the rich young ruler and Judas Iscariot. They both had the special opportunity to be close to Jesus, but they didn't make the most of it. The rich young ruler couldn't give up his wealth, and Judas wanted to use his relationship with Jesus to become rich. Sadly, things didn't end well for either of them. Let's make sure we learn from their mistakes and make wise choices in our own lives today! 

 LESSON OUTLINE

I. THE DISCIPLE CALLED JUDAS ISCARIOT 

II. THE RICH YOUNG RULER 

 LESSON EXPOSITION

 I. THE DISCIPLE CALLED JUDAS ISCARIOT (Matt. 26:6-16)* 

...And said, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?" And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver (v. 15). 

a) v. 14: Judas was graciously selected by Jesus as one of His disciples (cf. Matt. 10:4; Jn. 6:70; Acts Acts 1:17) but was sadly characterised by hypocrisy, dishonesty (Jn. 12:5-6), and treachery (Mk. 14:10, Lk. 22:47). What type of disciple are you? 

b) vv. 6-8: These verses show Judas wasn't truly loyal to Jesus, pretending to care while planning betrayal. He prioritised selfishness over faithfulness (cf. Jn. 12:6). 

c) vv. 6-13: While Jesus saw the breaking of the Alabaster box as a memorial, Judas saw it as an opportunity to enrich himself. True disciples have Jesus' mind (cf. Php. 2:5). Like Gehazi under Elisha (2 Kgs. 5:20-27), Judas was obviously not ready to follow His Master's righteous footsteps. 

d) vv. 14-15: Judas' greed and unreadiness to follow the Lord's example coupled with his hatred for Him came alive here as he ...went to the chief priests and said, "What are you willing to give me if  deliver Him to you?" What a perilous follower destined for destruction (Mk. 14:10,11; Lk. 22:3-6)! Ask Gehazi.

e) Lk. 22:3: Then Satan entered Judas... Even though Jesus corrected the misconception (Matt. 26:10-13), why did Satan still enter Judas' heart? His greed led him to betray his Lord, losing his place in God's plan (Psa. 69:25; 109:8; Acts 1:20). Be cautious! i) 

f) The state of your heart as Christ's disciple and as someone under tutelage is very important. Judas eventually realised that he got it wrong but it was too late (cf. Matt. 27:4-5). 

II. THE RICH YOUNG RULER (Mk. 10:17-22) 

At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth (v.22) 

a) v. 17: Unlike Nicodemus (Jn. 3:1,2), the unnamed young ruler eagerly met Jesus, eager for spiritual guidance. He displayed humility by kneeling before Jesus, a thing that showed his initial openness to mentorship. 

b) vv. 17-22: The young ruler desired divine guidance but lacked humility to accept Jesus' mentorship, showing pride and reluctance to fully submit. His belief in salvation through works reflects refusal to accept Jesus' mentorship on the true path to eternal life. 

c) vv. 18-19: Jesus redirected the young ruler's focus to the Law, challenging him to recognise his need for guidance and correction, but his self-righteousness blinded him to Jesus' mentorship. 

d) vv. 20-21: Despite claiming obedience to the commandments, the young ruler's refusal to surrender his wealth shows his resistance to Jesus' mentorship. This reveals his attachment to worldly possessions over spiritual growth (1 Tim. 6:6-10). 

e) v. 21: Jesus compassionately helped him grow spiritually despite his attachment to possessions. This shows His role as a caring Mentor guiding others towards a deeper grasp of eternal life.

 f) vv. 21b-22: Jesus exposed his idolatry of wealth, offering him an opportunity for change through mentorship, yet the ruler's refusal to let go of his possessions made him extremely sorrowful, and missed spiritual blessings. 

g) Despite keeping the Law from his youth, he struggled with fulfilling the next requirements for attaining eternal life. While seeking assistance is commendable, adhering to the divine terms and conditions necessary for receiving help is the crucial challenge!

 LESSONS DERIVED

 1. The condition of your heart in following Jesus will show, if you are really following Him or not.

 2. It is not enough to start well. One thing is needful: to press towards the mark and get there. 

 QUESTIONS

 1. Peter quoted Psalms 109:8 and 69:25 in Acts 1:20. Do you think Judas was in mind when this prophetic Psalm was written?

 2. Jesus told the young ruler that he lacked one thing but still mentioned more than one. Discuss. 

SUGGESTED ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS SUGGESTED ANSWER TO QUESTION 1.

* Peter quoted the 2 Psalms so as to explain why Judas must be replaced (Acts 1:15ff). 

* "For it is written in the Book of Psalms: 'Let his dwelling place be desolate and let no one live in it' (Ps. 109:8) and, 'Let another take his office (69:25) 

* The Psalm discusses the prayer of David concerning his enen 125. Jeremiah also prayed the same prayer in Jer. 18:18-23. 

*Judas wasn't mentioned when this prophecy came forth but he positioned himself as Jesus' enemy. Therefore, the prayer found expression in his life. 

* Most times, fulfilment of prophecies is not automatic. Prophecies are expression looking for manifestation in lives that are available by fulfilling the requirements. 

 SUGGESTED ANSWER TO QUESTION 2

The statement "one thing" as used in Mk. 10:21 is not peculiar to the young rich ruler alone. 

* The Psalmist talks about one thing to be desired (Ps. 27:4), Jesus told Martha that one thing is needful (Lk 10:42), Paul says forgetting the past and pressing forward is one thing he does (Phil. 3:13). 

* All these indicate getting the priority right and for the young rich ruler, what Jesus meant by one thing he lacks is that, his possessions have taken hold of him and his priority is about his wealth, even though he was a keeper of the law from his youth. 

 LIFE APPLICATION

 Imagine a young brother who attends Church regularly, participates in Bible studies and receives counsel from wise and experienced Christians, yet continually makes decisions contrary to biblical principles. Despite the opportunities for mentorship and guidance from Jesus through His

Word, followers and leaders of His people, this brother consistently refuses to align his life with the teachings of Christ, opting instead to pursue his own desires and agenda. He ends sadly and suddenly in the Christian journey and in life. This case serves as a practical illustration of someone who refuses Jesus' mentorship despite having ample opportunities for spiritual growth and guidance. Don't become one of such! 

 CONCLUSION

Since his last encounter with Jesus, little or nothing has been heard about that rich young ruler, solely because he couldn't part with his possessions. In the same vein, Judas Iscariot squandered the first-hand privilege of being mentored by Jesus. May we not falter in meeting God's requirements in life and ministry. Amen. 

 *NOTE*