This weekend is known as Palm Sunday. It starts off Holy Week for Christians all over the world. In the Jewish world, this week leads up to the Feast of Passover. The time of Christ’s great sacrifice is near. As we read anew of Jesus’ triumphal approach to Jerusalem, being hailed as the “Son of David” and worshipped by the crowd, what does it have to do with us? Who do you say Jesus is?
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
1. What famous person have you been in close contact with? Did you recognize them, or did someone tell you who they were?
2. Read Matthew 21:1-11. Are you a bit offended at verse 11? Surveys show 54% of those queried believe Jesus was a good teacher. Who do you say Jesus is? What Name of Jesus is the most precious to you? If He is the Son of God and your Savior, why is this important today to know who you would say He is?
3. Go with what you know. We can easily be offended by the fickle crowd at Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. (We know they turned on Him in less than a week.) But who is responsible for helping others find out who Jesus is? Read Matthew 28:19. What can you do? “Do you even care?” How does this tie into The Cove’s mission statement?
4. Tell our stories. Read Mark 5:2-5 and 18-20. Who approached who? What did Jesus do? Then, what did the man want and what did Jesus ask him to do instead? Also read John 9:24-25. How was the blind man like the demonic of the Gerasenes? What do we need to learn from them both?
5. Our stories can change another person’s legacy. Read 1 Corinthians 9:22-23. What stories do you have of times that Jesus rescued you? Jot down just a few words that remind you of an entire story. Call out those one-word summaries. If someone in your Life Group asks you about the word you used, give a brief explanation of how Jesus met you in your struggles and healed, rescued, provided, or met you there. How can those words help you remember and connect with someone and help you share Jesus?
Deeper
The Triumphal Entry is a crucial part of the life of Christ. Let’s look at how prophecy was fulfilled, and some of the deep meaning revealed to us.
6. Read Matthew 21:2-7. Jesus sent His disciples to get a donkey’s colt (only Matthew’s Gospel notes the donkey and her colt). Look for symbolism and parallels throughout Israel’s history.
a. 1 Kings 1:32-35:
b. Zechariah 9:9-10:
c. Genesis 22:1-14:
d. Genesis 49:10-12:
7. Compare Matthew 12:15-16 and 16:20 with Luke 19:37-38.
8. Read 2 Kings 9:13.