“Getting Ready for Easter”- Palm Sunday
ICEBREAKER: What was the most elaborate celebration or party that you have ever attended? How so?
Luke 19:33–40 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
1.Why did the people celebrate Jesus as he entered Jerusalem?
2. What do you think they were hoping for?
3. What do you think Jesus meant by saying the stones will cry out? Can anything stop the will of God from being accomplished? (Isaiah 55:11)
Isaiah 55:11 So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
4. What kind of reaction or problem could be caused by calling Jesus King? (Luke 19:39-40)
5. Why do you think the crowd changes from excitement to disappointment in less than a week? (Matthew 27:20-23)
Matthew 27:20–23 (NIV) But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. 21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. 22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” 23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
6. In what ways have you been disappointed in God? Have you ever had a hope come near fulfillment but fail? What keeps you from turning against God?
7. King David often was honest with God as in Psalm 44:23-24, Psalm 69:3, Psalm 22:1 in his disappointments. How do you deal with disappointments?
Luke 19:41–44 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
8. What was Jesus’ disappointment with Jerusalem? (v. 44) What would be the consequence?
9. Did He know that the leaders and people would reject Him and that it would lead to His death? (Mark 10:33)
Mark 10:33 saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and will deliver Him to the Gentiles.”
10. How is our world much like Jerusalem of Jesus’ day?
11. How should we be praying for our friends, family and neighbors to have their eyes open to not reject Jesus?
From Sermon: “Many people come to admit that what they really needed for success in life came to them through their most difficult and painful experiences.” Tim Keller, The Reason for God.
12. What promises does God give for those who bring their pain to Him? (Matthew 11:28-30, James 1:2-4, Romans 8:28)
Matthew 11:28-30 28 ”come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
James 1:2–4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
13. How has God grown you through a difficult life circumstance or disappointment?