Share the Word
Ways to present Mark 10.17-31
Activities marked with an asterisk 
next to the activity title are in addition to the resources in the Ready to go sessions. Suggested timings for these activities are also shown. NB The inclusion of additional activities varies from week to week.
A version of the story for very young children
Create a story bag with objects (or pictures) inside: a play figure, toy coins, a sad face, toy camel, and a plastic needle. Tell the story, taking out each one as shown in brackets.
(figure) A man came to Jesus and asked what he needed to do to get to heaven.
(some coins) Jesus answered,
‘Sell your possessions and give the money to the poor.’
(sad face) This made the man sad.
(more coins) He was very rich.
(camel) Jesus said, ‘It is easier for a camel,
(needle) to go through the eye of a needle,
than for a rich man to enter heaven.’
FOR CHILDREN
Read the story and pause at the 
to share these points with the children (see Stop and share below). Then use the activity to explore the passage together. (10 mins)
Click on the image to view a PDF.
Stop and share
- Eternal life means fullness of life in God’s presence, both now and after death.
- Use the illustration to show what Jesus meant, how small the eye of a needle is compared to a camel.
Read and respond W E
- Each time the following words are mentioned, ask the children to shout the phrases and do the action:
Jesus - put hands on heart and shout ‘Give it away!’
Young man - pretend to cry and say ‘Oh dear!’
Disciples - put hands up as if questioning and say ‘We don’t understand!’
Camel - crouch down in a ball and say ‘I don’t fit!’
- Practise these together before you read the story through slowly, allowing space and time for the phrases and actions.
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Read and rewrite 15 mins W E
You will need: video clip
- Read the passage together. Then, split the young people into small groups and ask each group to rewrite the passage in a modern-day context. Watch the video for inspiration and to show that this can be humorous.
- Encourage the groups to consider the following: What characters would you include? What would be a modern-day example of the rich young ruler?