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Small Group Guide:
Open with prayer.
Go around and give everyone a chance to share about how the past week has been. What’s one highlight? What’s one lowlight?
If your small group has talked about it before, feel free to use this time to hold people accountable to what they’ve asked to be held accountable for previously, and go through the “missional” part of this discussion guide.
The Triumphal Entry
12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,
15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion;
behold, your king is coming,
sitting on a donkey’s colt!”
16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”
Some Greeks Seek Jesus
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
Today, we’re celebrating Palm Sunday, the Sunday that comes before Easter. Have you ever wondered what Palm Sunday is all about? Why do we celebrate it? Where in the Bible does it come from? Today, we’re talking about just that! In John chapter 12, we see many different reactions to Jesus, one of which includes waving palm branches.
Poor Reactions to Jesus:
- The crowd: Jesus does what I want
John 12:12-13, 17-18, Matt. 6:19-21, 33, Rom. 8:5, Col. 3:2, Luke 12:29-31, John 6:27, Ps. 34:9-10
- The Pharisees: Going to God without Jesus
John 12:19, 14:6, 19:15, Matt. 6:10, Acts 4:12, 1 Tim. 2:5, John 3:16, Rom. 10:9, John 3:36
- Some Greeks: Spectating Jesus
John 12:20-26, Gal. 2:20, Matt. 28:19-20, James 1:22, 27, 2:14-26, Heb. 11:6
What Jesus actually requires of us:
Leaving all else behind, we are to follow and serve Him, with everything we have
John 12:23-26, Luke 14:33, Matt. 5:6, 2 Cor. 5:17, Phil. 3:7-8, Luke 18:28-30
Reflection
Getting Started
- Take some time to read over John 12:12-26 and pray.
- Have you ever read or heard about this before? What stood out to you as we were talking about it?
- What common misconceptions do you think people have about Palm Sunday? What misconceptions have you had about Palm Sunday?
Diving In
Read John 12:12-18 again, and think about the perspective the crowd must have had when they heard and saw Jesus riding into Jerusaelm. What thoughts do you think were running through their heads?
– The crowd looks at Jesus, and wants Him to accomplish their own agendas. Have you ever been guilty of treating your relationship with Jesus in the same way?
– How can you avoid making the same mistake that the crowd made?
Read John 12:19 again, and think about the perspective that the Pharisees had. Why do you think that their perspective is so dangerous to have?
– Have you ever made the mistake of trying to be a “godly” person without Jesus? If so, how, and what happened?
– How do you think that our own legalistic tendencies will cause us to make the same mistake that the Pharisees made?
– How can you avoid making the same mistake that the Pharisees made?
Read John 12:20-26 again. Do you think Jesus’ response is peculiar? Why do you think He responded that way? What mistake were the Greeks making?
– Why do you think we often make the mistake of wanting to “see Jesus” without following Him.
– What would it look like in your life for you to follow and serve Jesus, instead of just seeing Him?
– How can you avoid making the same mistake that the Greeks made?
Read John 12:23-26 again. What in Jesus’ response stands out to you? How does that affect your life in this season?
Applying the Scripture
What are your biggest takeaways from this passage of God’s Word?
– What practical step(s) do you need to implement in your life to apply what God has taught you in this passage of Scripture?
– How would applying this affect your life and your relationship with the Lord?
– Who can you ask to keep you accountable to applying this to your life?
Prayer Time:
Pray for each other in your small group to be faithful take the step(s) that you shared above. Pray for each other and the interactions that they have with those who don’t know Jesus. Pray that God would soften the people’s hearts to what He has for them. Pray that God would give everyone opportunities to share the Gospel.
Staying Missional:
Share spiritual/missional conversations you’ve had where you live, work, and play:
Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
What’s next?
Discuss the next step for your small group. When will we gather again and what purpose will it fulfill?