This week's Life Group Questions
For reflection and LIFE Group facilitation
1. Read John 12:12-19.
2. Jesus’ entry as King into Jerusalem was unconventional and caused a shake-up among the people. Their agenda was to welcome a warrior king who would deliver them from their temporary issues (the Romans), however what they got was a servant King who would deliver them from their eternal issues (sin).
a) What is your agenda for having Jesus in your life?
b) What draws you to Jesus? Is it the things He can do for you? Is it Who He is?
c) How is this reflected in your prayer life?
3. When the people in the streets of Jerusalem saw Jesus, they shouted “Hosanna” (which means “save us”). Although with incorrect expectations (see before), the cry of their heart was for Jesus to deliver them from their burdens.
a) What are the things you have recently been crying out to Jesus for?
b) Let someone in your group write down what is being shared, in preparation for your prayer time at the end.
4. The donkey is significant in the story of Palm Sunday. In ancient days, a king would ride on a horse during times of war. However, in times of peace, a king would ride on a donkey. By entering Jerusalem on a donkey, King Jesus announced new terms of peace between God and us.
a) What does peace with God mean to you (explain in your own words). Wrap up this time of sharing by reading Colossians 1:19-22 (Paul’s explanation of peace with God).
b) When we have peace with God, we also can experience the all-surpassing peace of God. Peace is not the absence of trouble, it is the presence of Jesus in whatever we are facing. What have been times in your life during which you have personally experienced this reality to be true?
5. The crowd in the streets of Jerusalem consisted of different groups of people that observed the same event. However, only one group (the disciples) were really following Him. They did not understand everything that was happening (see verse 16) and they had been shaken up by Jesus (think of His ask of them to leave their jobs and families to follow Him), but they believed He was worth following. How about you:
a) Are you an observer or a follower?
6. Close your time together by praising the King and praying for each other (using the burdens that were shared under question 3 as prayer pointers).
1. Read John 12:12-19.
2. Jesus’ entry as King into Jerusalem was unconventional and caused a shake-up among the people. Their agenda was to welcome a warrior king who would deliver them from their temporary issues (the Romans), however what they got was a servant King who would deliver them from their eternal issues (sin).
a) What is your agenda for having Jesus in your life?
b) What draws you to Jesus? Is it the things He can do for you? Is it Who He is?
c) How is this reflected in your prayer life?
3. When the people in the streets of Jerusalem saw Jesus, they shouted “Hosanna” (which means “save us”). Although with incorrect expectations (see before), the cry of their heart was for Jesus to deliver them from their burdens.
a) What are the things you have recently been crying out to Jesus for?
b) Let someone in your group write down what is being shared, in preparation for your prayer time at the end.
4. The donkey is significant in the story of Palm Sunday. In ancient days, a king would ride on a horse during times of war. However, in times of peace, a king would ride on a donkey. By entering Jerusalem on a donkey, King Jesus announced new terms of peace between God and us.
a) What does peace with God mean to you (explain in your own words). Wrap up this time of sharing by reading Colossians 1:19-22 (Paul’s explanation of peace with God).
b) When we have peace with God, we also can experience the all-surpassing peace of God. Peace is not the absence of trouble, it is the presence of Jesus in whatever we are facing. What have been times in your life during which you have personally experienced this reality to be true?
5. The crowd in the streets of Jerusalem consisted of different groups of people that observed the same event. However, only one group (the disciples) were really following Him. They did not understand everything that was happening (see verse 16) and they had been shaken up by Jesus (think of His ask of them to leave their jobs and families to follow Him), but they believed He was worth following. How about you:
a) Are you an observer or a follower?
- If you are an observer: what is keeping you from following?
- If you are a follower: what shake-ups has Jesus caused in your journey to deepen your following of Him?
6. Close your time together by praising the King and praying for each other (using the burdens that were shared under question 3 as prayer pointers).