A Jolt in Jerusalem (for the week of March 28, 2021) This Week’s Scripture: Mark 11:1-11 Key Idea from Sermon The Triumphal Entry: Jesus comes to Jerusalem as King.
1. Where did the events of this story take place (v. 1)? What did Jesus ask his disciples to do (vv. 2-3)? 2. How did the disciples’ experience match with what Jesus said (vv. 4-7)? What did the people in the village do when the disciples asked to take their colt (v. 6)? 3. How did Jesus enter Jerusalem (vv. 7-11)? 4. Why did the people spread cloaks and branches on the road for Jesus? What was the atmosphere of the crowd when Jesus rode into Jerusalem (vv. 8-10)? 5. What did the people shout when Jesus entered the city (v. 9)? What did Jesus communicate to the crowds by riding a donkey into Jerusalem? 6. What does the reaction of the crowd tell us about how they interpreted Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem (vv. 9-10)? What can we learn from the attitudes of the people who followed Jesus into Jerusalem? How can we express our praise to the Lord? 7. Why do you think Jesus went to the temple first but then went out to Bethany with his disciples (v. 11)? Why didn’t Jesus stay in Jerusalem (v. 11)? 8. What do you think the disciples thought about what Jesus asked them to do? How should we imitate the disciples’ example? 9. When has God told you to do something that you thought was unusual or difficult to justify? 10. Why do you think God does not always reveal his intentions or long-range plans for us when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances? 11. What should we do when we do not understand what God is trying to accomplish in us and through us? 12. What could you do this week to celebrate what Jesus has done for you? 13. How should you react the next time a situation arises that you don’t understand? May you richly experience the presence of God this week!!!
0 Comments
The Very Reason He Came (for the week of March 21, 2021) PDF File at Bottom This Week’s Scripture: John 12:20-33 Key Idea from Sermon Jesus said “yes” to God’s plan. Jesus brings glory to God.
1. Explain what happened in John 12:20-22. 2. What was it about the visitation of the “Greeks” or “Gentiles” that led Jesus to realize “his hour” had come (“his hour” = the time for him to go to the Cross” – verse 23)? 3. What is Jesus saying in verse 24? What are the practical implications of his teaching for Christian living? 4. Read verse 25. What does Jesus mean by using the following Jewish idioms? What is his main point in this verse?
5. What are some ways you “love your life” in this world (in the way Jesus is speaking about it)? 6. What should “hating your life” in this world look like (in the way Jesus is speaking about it)? Why is it so hard to have this perspective? 7. According to verse 26, what does a person who is serving Jesus do? What should that look like in a person’s life? And what is the “reward” for serving Jesus, according to Jesus? 8. Read verse 27. What was the “very reason” Jesus came to “this hour?” Why was Jesus so troubled over it? 9. How did this “very reason” bring glory to God? What does it mean to glorify God? Read 1 Corinthians 10:31 and describe what glorifying God ought to look like in your life. 10. Who is the “prince of this world” referring to in verse 31, and what does it mean that he will be “driven out?” 11. Now that you have had a chance to reflect on this week’s Scripture, what would you say God’s plan was that Jesus said “yes” to? 12. Share prayer requests and spend a few minutes praying for one another if you feel comfortable doing so. May you richly experience the presence of God this week!!!
For God So Loved (for the week of March 14, 2021) PDF at the bottom This Week’s Scripture: John 3:14-21 Key Idea from Sermon From all eternity God freely wills the good of others and gives of himself to them. This is most beautifully expressed in our Lord Jesus Christ being “lifted up.” We call this self-giving the “love of God” and we receive it as we believe (or, trust) in Jesus.
1. What are some ways our culture defines love? (Think about how your family, friends, television shows and movies, songs, greeting cards, etc., express it.) 2. Which of those definitions do you think is closer to a biblical understanding of love? Which of those definitions is further away from a biblical understanding of love? Explain why you think that. 3. Based on this week’s Scripture, how would you describe the “love of God” to a friend? What are the key characteristics of God’s love? Give examples of your understanding from this week’s Scripture. (Also, read Romans 5:6-8 and 1 John 4:7-12 for further guidance.) 4. What does it mean that the Son of Man (Jesus) will be lifted up (v. 15)? (Learn more about the reference to “Moses and the snake” by reading Numbers 21:4-9.) 5. What does it mean to “believe” in Jesus (see verses 15, 16, 18)? 6. Does “believing in Jesus” mean more than intellectual acknowledgement? Explain your answer. (To help you, think about the difference between “knowing someone” and “knowing about someone.” How are they the similar? How are they different?) 7. According to verses 15 and 16, “eternal life” is the result of believing in Jesus? What do you think that means? Is that a comfort to you? 8. Based on this week’s Scripture (as well as the other Scripture in question 3), why was it necessary for God to express his self-giving love through Jesus in this way? What was the state of “the world” prior to the sending of Jesus? Do people still need Jesus today? If so, why? 9. As you reflect upon God’s initiating, self-giving love for you, what feelings and emotions do you experience? Why do you think that is? 10. In what ways should your love for God and others be tweaked (or completely overhauled) by a richer understanding of God’s love for you? 11. What are some ways you continue to experience the love of God daily in your life? 12. Share prayer requests and spend a few minutes praying for one another if you feel comfortable doing so. May you richly experience the love of God this week!!!
Cleansing the Temple (for the week of March 7, 2021) PDF file at the bottom This Week’s Scripture: John 2:13-22 Key Idea from Sermon “The temple was holy ground, but unholy things were going on there. Therefore, Jesus went on a rampage and threw out the people who were selling animals for sacrifice at scalper prices. He cleansed the temple. He forcibly threw out all the unholy clutter. He returned the temple back into a holy place for holy purposes. The Bible says our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Jesus wants to cleanse our temples of unholy things too. Let’s let Him!”
1. What is “Passover” and why was Jesus observing it? (Read Exodus 12:1-14 to learn more about Passover) 2. Based on the Scripture from Exodus 12, how would you say Jesus fulfilled Passover? (To learn more, visit the following link from, “Jews for Jesus," - “Christ in the Passover.” It is a wonderful visual explanation of how Jesus fulfilled Passover.) 3. Did you already know how Jesus so beautifully fulfilled Passover, or was this new to you? What impressed you most as you realized how Passover pointed to the coming of Jesus? Did you have an “aha” moment? Share with your thoughts and experiences with your group. 4. How might you share this good news about Jesus with your family members and friends? What key points would you highlight for them? 5. Jesus was not happy with what was taking place in the temple courts. Why did this bother Jesus so much? What was supposed to be happening there? 6. The disciples remembered that Psalm 69.9 says, “Zeal for my Father’s house will consume me.” What do you think that means? Pastor Phillip asks, “How does zeal for the Father and his house consume you?” 7. What does “zeal for God’s house or temple” mean in light of 1 Corinthians 6:19a: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” 8. Knowing that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, what are some practical things you can put into practice to help you maintain a “zeal” for God? What “unholy things” do you need to cleanse from your life? 9. What was Jesus referring to in verse 19? 10. The disciples and others did not seem to understand what Jesus meant in verse 19. When did the disciples finally understand what Jesus meant and how did they respond? 11. Share prayer requests and spend a few minutes praying for one another if you feel comfortable doing so. May you richly experience the presence of the Lord this week!!!
|
Life Group StudiesCategories
All
Archives
May 2021
|