Jesus Came To Die

April 1, 2012

Read Matthew 21:1-11
(See also Mark 11:1-1; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19)

Digging In:
As always, start with first impressions before questions:

What do we learn about Jesus?  

What did he do/say that strikes you?

What is clearly being taught in this passage?

Understand the culture:
This is the beginning of the final act in the life of Christ on earth.  

3 "storms" were blowing into Jerusalem this week:

• Roman Occupation;
• Israel's desire for a king;
• The Passover Celebration.

It was customary that a king would enter the city on a white horse after a victorious battle but during a time of peace, the king rode in on a donkey. (Judges 5:10; 1 Kings 1:33)   

What message might Jesus have been trying to communicate by entering on a donkey and not on a white horse?

Observe the response of the People.
Note that the crowds that went ahead of Jesus were shouting:
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest!”

Discuss the meaning of the statements: “Hosanna” literally means “Save Now," “Son of David” was a Messianic title for Jesus

The crowds were acknowledging Jesus was who He claimed to be…for now.
Later, we read how these same crowds went from shouting ‘Hosanna’ to shouting ‘Crucify Him.’

Why are they so quick to turn on Jesus?

Have you ever been quick to turn on Jesus?

Dig Deeper-
This Triumphant Entry of Jesus is significant for many reasons, including:

1. This was the final and official presentation of Jesus to Israel as their Messiah
2. Many people recognized this as seen in their shouts of praise.
3. By coming on a donkey, Jesus presented Himself as King. 
4. This presentation of Jesus was the exact fulfillment of prophecy; prophecy the Israelites would have been very familiar with.  This should have confirmed without any doubt that Jesus was (and is) the Messiah.

What else can you think of?

Discuss why Jesus came to die:

• To save us from evil (Romans 3:25);
• To save us from our sins (Ephesians 1:7); 
• To save us from death (John 10:17-18).

Something else to think about:

Jesus was entering the city extending grace, not to judge the city.  

As we see in Revelation 19:11, the time will come (a time still future to us) when Jesus will enter the city as a victorious ruler and will judge the world.

Closing:

What is your response to Jesus?  Do you believe He is your Savior?
If He is Saviour and Lord, how can you publically and verbally praise God this week?

Behold...the Real Jesus

Connection Group Questions, March 25, 2012

“Behold...the Real Jesus”

Opening 

If your group has new members give enough time for introductions.  Maybe play an icebreaker game, or share about your March Break.  Or get creative: you could put people into pairs, give them a moment to talk, then take turns introducing the other person to the group.

After introductions go over the “Connection Group Commitment.”  Address any questions and go over childcare needs if applicable.    Give folks a week to think about their commitment.  Next week, have participants sign the Commitment if they plan to stick with the group.

Other things to consider:

• Maybe there is a person/couple in the group who want to become group leaders themselves.  Let them be “co-leaders” and take a few turns during the semester to lead the meeting.
• Maybe your group is already pretty big (over 12 adults).  If so, perhaps you need to consider dividing into two smaller groups.
• Perhaps your group is a little slim (less than 10).  Prayerfully think about who you could invite to join your gathering.
• Maybe one person can be the group secretary.  They could send out a weekly reminder, and a list of prayer requests and updates.
• Send around a snack sign-up.  Maybe turn it into a friendly competition:  Who has the best banana bread recipe?  Who can bring the most exotic dish?  Go ahead, get creative!

Discussion:  Read Matthew 11:1-15

Remember, Groups are to foster a time of “Fellowship.”  That means encouraging authentic relationships, praying for one another, and applying the scriptures to our lives.  This is not supposed to be a religious lecture.  Your facilitator’s role is to stimulate thoughtful reflection on the bible, and encourage real-life application.

So really read the bible text.  Think about it.  And feel free to share comments or questions.  For example, maybe something in the passage was very surprising to you, ask the group what they think.  Or maybe something in the passage really speaks to a situation in your life, past or present.  Perhaps talking about that would be of great encouragement to the rest of the group.  

And remember: all honest questions are fair!

Here are some questions to consider in discussing this passage:

John the baptist was one of the greatest men of faith, maybe the greatest.  And yet it seems he had doubts, or at least some hard questions.  Is there room for any doubts, or questions, in our faith?  Have you ever had a season of doubt, and if so, what was that like?  What did you learn and how did you come through it?

When asked if he is the Christ, Jesus points to his actions, and how they fulfill the promise of scripture (see Isaiah 35).  How can our faith balance both words and actions?

Jesus says the gospel is preached, or announced (v. 5).  What does “gospel” mean?  Why is it something you need to hear, rather than something you need to do?  How does that fit with a faith of action, like Jesus describes in v. 5-6?

V. 6 tells us, “blessed is the one who is not offended (scandalized) by Jesus.”  Why is Jesus so scandalous, so controversial?

Jesus talks about an openness in three groups of people: the poor (v. 5), the “least” (v. 11) and the violent (v. 12).  They have “ears to hear.”   (v. 15)

• What does it mean to be poor in spirit, and open to Jesus?  
• What does is mean to make yourself less than Jesus and others?
• What does it mean to forcefully, or violently, take hold of Jesus?  Does it mean we are violent towards others, or allow a kind of violence, and overtaking, of our own lives?

Close with a time of prayer for one another.