laborers in a vineyard

May 8–14

Matthew 19–20; Mark 10; Luke 18

“What Lack I Yet?”

Read and ponder Matthew 19–20; Mark 10; and Luke 18, paying attention to the promptings you receive. Make note of those promptings, and determine how you will act on them.

Record Your Impressions

If you had the opportunity to ask the Savior a question, what would it be? When a certain rich young man met the Savior for the first time, he asked, “What good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16). The Savior’s response showed both appreciation for the good things the young man had already done and loving encouragement to do more. When we ponder the possibility of eternal life, we may similarly wonder if there’s more we should be doing. When we ask, in our own way, “What lack I yet?” (Matthew 19:20), the Lord can give us answers that are just as personal as His response to the rich young man. Whatever the Lord asks us to do, acting on His answer will always require that we trust Him more than our own righteousness (see Luke 18:9–14) and that we “receive the kingdom of God as a little child” (Luke 18:17; see also 3 Nephi 9:22).

personal study icon

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

Matthew 19:3–9; Mark 10:2–12

Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God.

This interchange between the Savior and the Pharisees is one of the few recorded instances in which the Savior taught specifically about marriage. After reading Matthew 19:3–9 and Mark 10:2–12, make a list of several statements that you feel summarize the Lord’s views on marriage. Then study some of the resources found in “Marriage” (Gospel Topics, topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org), and add more statements to your list. How does your knowledge of the Father’s plan of salvation affect the way you think and feel about marriage?

Matthew 19:3–9; Mark 10:2–12

Did Jesus teach that divorce is never acceptable or that divorced people should not remarry?

In an address on divorce, President Dallin H. Oaks taught that Heavenly Father intends for the marriage relationship to be eternal. However, God also understands that divorce is sometimes necessary. President Oaks explained that the Lord “permits divorced persons to marry again without the stain of immorality specified in the higher law. Unless a divorced member has committed serious transgressions, he or she can become eligible for a temple recommend under the same worthiness standards that apply to other members” (“Divorce,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 70).

Matthew 19:16–22; Mark 10:17–22; Luke 18:18–23

If I ask the Lord, He will teach me what I need to do to inherit eternal life.

The account of the rich young man can give pause even to the faithful, lifelong disciple. As you read Mark 10:17–22, what evidence do you find of the young man’s faithfulness and sincerity? How did the Lord feel toward this young man?

This account may prompt you to ask, “What lack I yet?” (Matthew 19:20). How does the Lord help us make up for what we lack? (see Ether 12:27). What can we do to prepare ourselves to accept His correction and help as we seek to improve?

See also Larry R. Lawrence, “What Lack I Yet?,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 33–35; S. Mark Palmer, “Then Jesus Beholding Him Loved Him,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 114–16.

Matthew 20:1–16

Everyone can receive the blessing of eternal life, no matter when they accept the gospel.

Can you relate to the experience of any of the laborers in the vineyard? What lessons do you find for yourself in this passage? Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s message “The Laborers in the Vineyard” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 31–33) might help you see new ways to apply this parable. What additional promptings does the Spirit give to you?

humble man and Pharisee

The Repentant Publican and the Self-Righteous Pharisee in the Temple, by Frank Adams

Luke 18:9–14

I should trust God’s mercy, not my own righteousness.

How would you summarize the differences between the two prayers in this parable? Ponder what you feel you should do to be more like the publican in this story and less like the Pharisee.

See also Philippians 4:11–13; Alma 31:12–23; 32:12–16.

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Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Home Evening

Mark 10:13–16; Luke 18:15–17.To help family members ponder the account in these verses, you could sing together a related song, such as “I Think When I Read That Sweet Story” (Children’s Songbook, 56). What might it have been like to be among the children Jesus blessed? What might it mean to “receive the kingdom of God as a little child”? (Mark 10:15).

Mark 10:23–27.What is the difference between having riches and trusting in riches? (see Mark 10:23–24). As you read verse 27, you may want to point out the Joseph Smith Translation: “With men that trust in riches, it is impossible; but not impossible with men who trust in God and leave all for my sake, for with such all these things are possible” (Joseph Smith Translation, Mark 10:26 [in Mark 10:27, footnote a]). As a family, how are we showing that we trust God more than material things?

Matthew 20:1–16.To illustrate the principles in Matthew 20:1–16, you might set up a simple competition, such as a short race. After everyone has completed the competition, award everyone the same prize, starting with the person who finished last and ending with the person who finished first. What does this teach us about who receives the blessings of eternal life in Heavenly Father’s plan?

Matthew 20:25–28; Mark 10:42–45.What is the meaning of the phrase “whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant”? (Matthew 20:27). How did Jesus Christ exemplify this principle? How can we follow His example in our family, our ward or branch, and our neighborhood?

Luke 18:1–14.What do we learn about prayer from the two parables in these verses?

For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.

Suggested hymn: “Dearest Children, God Is Near You,” Hymns, no. 96.

Improving Personal Study

Find a time that works for you. It is often easiest to learn when you can study the scriptures without being interrupted. Find a time that works for you, and do your best to consistently study at that time each day.

Christ and rich young man

Christ and the Rich Young Ruler, by Heinrich Hofmann