The Triumphal Entry
LifeGroup Notes
Part of Greater Love—LifeGroup Notes
March 6, 2022

Greater Love

LifeGroup Notes

OPEN

As you open up today, try out this icebreaker to get conversation started: If you had a time machine that would work only once, what point in the future or in history would you visit?

What jumped out at you from the message this week? What led you to really think or even better, to change your actions?

WATCH THE VIDEO

What jumped out at you from the video?

INTRODUCTION

Jesus didn’t own anything so how did He get a donkey to ride?

What might this tell us about Jesus at the outset of the lesson? How does this underscore his kingship?

READ
Read Matthew 21:1-10
1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5 “Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”
6The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?”

Read Jesus’ instructions in verses 2-3. How would you have felt if he gave those instructions to you? Why do you think the disciples obeyed him?

Put your self in the shoes of the owners of the donkey, Jesus may ask us at any time to use what is already His for His service. It may involve our time, talents or treasure. Are we as ready as the owners of the donkey to use what God has given for His service when called upon?

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the crowd treated him like a king. What were they expecting of him?

How was Jesus different from what the people were expecting?

Jesus didn’t meet the expectations of many of these people. Have you ever known someone who was disappointed when God didn’t meet their expectations?

What are some unrealistic expectations we sometimes have of God? What can we do to keep our expectations of God rooted in truth?

The people in Jerusalem, as they saw the commotion coming from the Mount of Olives, asked, “Who is this?” Well, who is Jesus in your life? Is He simply a prophet from Nazareth? Is He simply a good teacher? Is He Lord and Savior in your life?

What can we learn from Jesus’ focus and determination?

The Jewish leaders knew their bibles and the law, yet they missed Jesus who is the Christ. In what ways we actually be more like the Jewish leaders than like those whose eyes were opened by Jesus?

How can we use this passage to equip us as followers of Jesus?

LET’S PRAY
Consider the following questions as you pray together as a LifeGroup:
1. Are you looking for Jesus to give you all of the things in this world or the next?
2. Are you missing the point of Jesus’ coronation just like the people of his day?
3. What steps are you willing to take to follow king Jesus even if he is not what you expected?

BIG IDEA
In one influential and important week, Jesus’ would complete his purpose; the redemption of humanity. As we read Matthew 21, Jesus begins the week with his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The crowds had their idea of who Jesus was, but Jesus himself had a different focus in mind. Jesus’ focus was the cross. The victory over the enemy, over sin, bringing salvation to all of humanity through his sacrifice on the cross. Although this crowd welcomes Jesus with open arms, Jesus knows the true desire of their hearts is for an earthly king.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

How would you answer if a friend asked, “Who is Jesus?”

How might we be able to change our city or campus or country if we honored Christ as King over all?

What is ironic about the expectations of the crowds and disciples? How does Jesus ultimately fulfill these expectations?