Lessons from Mark 10:17-30 about the benefits of charity and helping our fellow man as geared towards 7th and 8th Catholic Youth Catechism.

1. Mark 10:17-30 - “Jesus calls a rich man”
CHARITY – HOW WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

2. OUR POSSESSIONS AND MONEY
Take a few moments and talk at your table with your classmates about the following topics:
• How many times a week do you go to _____________
McDonald’s? Starbucks? Taco Bell? McAllister’s Deli?
Could you go one less time a week and not really notice the difference? What about only
going out to them once per week?
• What do I have in my room?
Make a list of everything you have, and then cross out everything that you could give
away and not have a huge impact on your life. Is that list more or less than half of your
belongings? What about 10% of them?

3. MATTHEW 10:17-30
Jesus Calls a Rich Man

4. MATTHEW 10:17-30
Jesus Calls a Rich Man

5. GROUP DISCUSSION
Now that we have sat and watched the re-enactment of “Jesus Calls a Rich Man” let’s take a
moment with our tables (about 5 minutes) and discuss what we have watched.
Group Discussions:
• What does Jesus appreciate about the rich man?
• Why doesn’t the rich man do more for the poor?

6. GROUP DISCUSSION
Now that we have sat and watched the re-enactment of “Jesus Calls a Rich Man” let’s take a
moment with our tables (about 5 minutes) and discuss what we have watched.
Group Discussions:
• What does Jesus appreciate about the rich man?
He appreciates the honesty of the rich man and his fidelity to the Commandments. As much as the rich man
wants eternal life and obeys the commandments, he isn’t willing to give up material wealth
• Why doesn’t the rich man do more for the poor?

7. GROUP DISCUSSION
Now that we have sat and watched the re-enactment of “Jesus Calls a Rich Man” let’s take a
moment with our tables (about 5 minutes) and discuss what we have watched.
Group Discussions:
• What does Jesus appreciate about the rich man?
He appreciates the honesty of the rich man and his fidelity to the Commandments. As much as the rich man
wants eternal life and obeys the commandments, he isn’t willing to give up material wealth
• Why doesn’t the rich man do more for the poor?
Because he is self-focused. Perhaps he doesn’t know any people who are poor.

8. WEALTH
“The acquisition of wealth is no longer the driving force of our lives. We work to better
ourselves and the rest of humanity.”
~Captain Jean Luc Picard, Star Trek: First Contact

9. WEALTH: WHAT IS IT?
Merriam-Webster defines “Wealth” as an abundance of valuable material possessions or
resources. Does that limit it to just being money and items? Or can it be other things such as
time and effort? Or even love?

10. WEALTH: WHAT IS IT?
Merriam-Webster defines “Wealth” as an abundance of valuable material possessions or
resources. Does that limit it to just being money and items? Or can it be other things such as
time and effort? Or even love?
Merriam-Webster also defines a “Resource” as a source of supply or support.

11. WEALTH: WHAT IS IT?
Merriam-Webster defines “Wealth” as an abundance of valuable material possessions or
resources. Does that limit it to just being money and items? Or can it be other things such as
time and effort? Or even love?
Merriam-Webster also defines a “Resource” as a source of supply or support.
“Supply or Support”
Time is something that has a definitive supply, while love and family are supports.

12. WEALTH: WHAT IS IT?
Merriam-Webster defines “Wealth” as an abundance of valuable material possessions or
resources. Does that limit it to just being money and items? Or can it be other things such as
time and effort? Or even love?
Merriam-Webster also defines a “Resource” as a source of supply or support.
“Supply or Support”
Time is something that has a definitive supply, while love and family are supports.
So that leads us to ask:

13. WEALTH: WHAT IS IT?
Merriam-Webster defines “Wealth” as an abundance of valuable material possessions or
resources. Does that limit it to just being money and items? Or can it be other things such as
time and effort? Or even love?
Merriam-Webster also defines a “Resource” as a source of supply or support.
“Supply or Support”
Time is something that has a definitive supply, while love and family are supports.
So that leads us to ask:
Even if one does not have money? Can they still be “Wealthy” in spirit, love and time? If they
are wealthy in these items – can they still give of themselves to another who might not have
any?

14. GROUPS DISCUSSION II
Now that we have sat and watched the re-enactment of “Jesus Calls a Rich Man” let’s take a
moment with our tables (about 5 minutes) and discuss what we have watched.
Group Discussions:
• Can you name any examples of those that might not be wealthy of money, but is wealthy
in other ways and gives of those ways?
• What are ways in which you are rich?
• What are ways in which you are poor?

15. CHARITY
“There are many people who can do big things, but there are very few people who will
do the small things”
~Saint Mother Teresa

16. SONGS THAT ENCOURAGE CHARITABLE GIVING
Music touches our core, it elicits feelings and enjoyment. Occasionally, it can even encourage
us to certain actions by its very nature. We sing in mass because it connects us and helps us
to remember. Some times music brings to our sight a problem and/or cause.

17. SONGS THAT ENCOURAGE CHARITABLE GIVING
Music touches our core, it elicits feelings and enjoyment. Occasionally, it can even encourage
us to certain actions by its very nature. We sing in mass because it connects us and helps us
to remember. Some times music brings to our sight a problem and/or cause.
How many can you name?

18. SONGS THAT ENCOURAGE CHARITABLE GIVING
Music touches our core, it elicits feelings and enjoyment. Occasionally, it can even encourage
us to certain actions by its very nature. We sing in mass because it connects us and helps us
to remember. Some times music brings to our sight a problem and/or cause.
How many can you name?
“Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M.

19. SONGS THAT ENCOURAGE CHARITABLE GIVING
Music touches our core, it elicits feelings and enjoyment. Occasionally, it can even encourage
us to certain actions by its very nature. We sing in mass because it connects us and helps us
to remember. Some times music brings to our sight a problem and/or cause.
How many can you name?
“Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M.
“Goodbye Earl” by The Dixie Chicks

20. SONGS THAT ENCOURAGE CHARITABLE GIVING
Music touches our core, it elicits feelings and enjoyment. Occasionally, it can even encourage
us to certain actions by its very nature. We sing in mass because it connects us and helps us
to remember. Some times music brings to our sight a problem and/or cause.
How many can you name?
“Runaway Train” by Soul Asylum
“Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M.
“Goodbye Earl” by The Dixie Chicks

21. SONGS THAT ENCOURAGE CHARITABLE GIVING
Music touches our core, it elicits feelings and enjoyment. Occasionally, it can even encourage
us to certain actions by its very nature. We sing in mass because it connects us and helps us
to remember. Some times music brings to our sight a problem and/or cause.
How many can you name?
“Runaway Train” by Soul Asylum
“Hell is for Children” by Pat Benatar
“Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M.
“Goodbye Earl” by The Dixie Chicks

22. SONGS THAT ENCOURAGE CHARITABLE GIVING
Music touches our core, it elicits feelings and enjoyment. Occasionally, it can even encourage
us to certain actions by its very nature. We sing in mass because it connects us and helps us
to remember. Some times music brings to our sight a problem and/or cause.
Cause/Charity Song and Artist Lyric Trivia
Missing Children
“Runaway Train”
by Soul Asylum
“Can you help me remember how
to smile? Make it somehow all
seem worthwhile.”
It featured the names and photos of 36
missing children, 26 of which were
located.
Child Abuse
“Hell is for Children”
by Pat Benatar
"Love and pain become one and
the same in the eyes of a
wounded child."
She wrote this song in 1980 after reading
an expose on child abuse in America.
Suicide
Prevention
“Everybody Hurts” by
REM
“If you think you've had too much
of this life, well hang on.”
This song was specifically written as an
anti-suicide anthem for teenagers.
Domestic Abuse
“Goodbye Earl” by
Dixie Chicks
“Well, the weeks went by and
spring turned to summer, and
summer faded into fall. And it
turns out he was a missing
person who nobody missed at
all.”
“An estimated 1.3 million women are
victims of physical assault by an intimate
partner every year,” according to the
National Coalition Against Domestic
Violence.

23. GROUP DISCUSSION III
Now that we have sat and watched the re-enactment of “Jesus Calls a Rich Man” let’s take a
moment with our tables (about 5 minutes) and discuss what we have watched.
Group Discussions:
• What is a way you can help people who are in-need (poor)?
• What if everyone in this classroom donated $1 per class to a charity?

24. GROUP DISCUSSION III
Now that we have sat and watched the re-enactment of “Jesus Calls a Rich Man” let’s take a
moment with our tables (about 5 minutes) and discuss what we have watched.
Group Discussions:
• What is a way you can help people who are in-need (poor)?
• What if everyone in this classroom donated $1 per class to a charity?
How much money could we donate to them each month while we met? What if assumed
that each classroom here was the same size. How much could be raised each student’s
parents donated $1 per child per week towards a charity from St. John’s?

25. GROUP DISCUSSION III
Now that we have sat and watched the re-enactment of “Jesus Calls a Rich Man” let’s take a
moment with our tables (about 5 minutes) and discuss what we have watched.
Group Discussions:
• What is a way you can help people who are in-need (poor)?
• What if everyone in this classroom donated $1 per class to a charity?
How much money could we donate to them each month while we met? What if assumed
that each classroom here was the same size. How much could be raised each student’s
parents donated $1 per child per week towards a charity from St. John’s?
“All a house is, is a place you can keep your stuff –
While you go out and get … more stuff”
~George Carlin

26. CHARITY:
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE

27. CHARITY:
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
Mission of Ronald McDonald House
The Ronald McDonald House of Charlottesville is the only organization that provides a temporary
home-away- from-home for families whose children are receiving treatment for a serious illness or
injury in Charlottesville.

28. CHARITY:
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
Pop Tab Collection
Collecting pop tabs is a great way to teach kids about philanthropy and the importance of
recycling, and raise funds to help children and their families at the same time. Some Chapters
raise thousands of dollars with pop tab collections.

29. CHARITY:
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
How this helps?
Once we have received enough tabs to fill two 32 gallon bins we take them to our recycling
partner, Gerdau. Just deliver the tabs to us and we will take it from there!
The amount we receive in exchange for the tabs varies. These values are market dependent,
and go up and down throughout the year. But it all adds up to precious dollars that help the
House fulfill its mission!

30. Our Mission to help…
You are the future leaders of this community and this parish. As such we are charging you
with a simple duty/task for the year. Whenever you drink a soda that has a pop top – SAVE IT.
Whenever anyone in your household does it – SAVE THEIRS. Out with friends, tell them what
we are doing in class, and save theirs as well. Ask Mom and/or Dad to help by collecting them
at work.
Each week when you come to class, bring any pop tops you and your family have collected
from the week prior. Drop them off here in class, when we get enough Meg or Chris will bring
them to Charlottesville Catholic School to help them with their efforts to support Ronald
McDonald House.

31. SAINT OF THE DAY
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL (PATRON OF CHARITIES)
Vincent de Paul (24 April 1581 – 27 September 1660) was a French
Catholic priest who dedicated himself to serving the poor. He is
venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church and the Anglican
Communion. He was canonized in 1737.He was renowned for his
compassion, humility and generosity. Founder of Congregation of the
Mission and Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul.