Small Group
Luke 19:29-40
Palm Sunday: What do you see?
As Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, the crowds saw their long-awaited king bringing peace and salvation, while the Pharisees saw only a threat to be silenced. Almost 2000 years later, the question from Palm Sunday is as relevant as ever: When you look at Jesus, what do you see?
Scripture Passages: Luke 19:29-40 (NIV)
Luke 19:29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.
33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”
35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.
36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
Icebreaker
Share a time when you and someone else saw the same situation completely differently. What caused you to have different perspectives?
Key Scripture
Luke 19:39-40 - "Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, 'Teacher, rebuke your disciples.' 'I tell you,' he replied, 'if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.'"
Discussion Questions
Understanding the Story
1. What stands out to you most about Jesus choosing to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey rather than a horse? What was He communicating through this choice?
2. The sermon mentioned that the crowds changed Psalm 118 from "blessed is he who comes" to "blessed is the king who comes." Why is this significant?
3. Why were the Pharisees so upset by the celebration? What did they see when they looked at Jesus?
Personal Reflection
1. Pastor Lucas said, "It's not enough to simply know the facts about Jesus. It's what you believe about him that matters." What's the difference between knowing facts about Jesus and truly knowing Him?
2. What's the relationship between faith and facts? Can you have one without the other?
3. It's easy (and tempting) to reimagine Jesus in our own image, making Him fit our priorities and values. In what ways might you have done this?
Going Deeper
1. Jesus told the Pharisees that if the disciples were quiet, "the stones will cry out." What does it mean that creation recognizes Jesus even when people don't?
2. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-7 together. Paul calls this the "good news." Why is the resurrection not just interesting historical information but truly good news for us today?
3. Jesus "came to liberate the world, to conquer sin and death, not through political or military might, but through the greatest act of love that the world has ever seen." How does this change the way we think about power and victory?
Key Takeaways
Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge
Choose one or more of these to practice this week:
Closing Reflection
"When you look at Jesus, what do you see?"
Take a few moments of silence for each person to honestly answer this question for themselves. Then, if comfortable, share with the group.
Prayer Requests and Closing Prayer
For Next Week
Read Luke 22-24 (the crucifixion and resurrection accounts) and come prepared to discuss what Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection.
Luke 19:29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.
33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”
35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.
36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
Icebreaker
Share a time when you and someone else saw the same situation completely differently. What caused you to have different perspectives?
Key Scripture
Luke 19:39-40 - "Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, 'Teacher, rebuke your disciples.' 'I tell you,' he replied, 'if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.'"
Discussion Questions
Understanding the Story
1. What stands out to you most about Jesus choosing to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey rather than a horse? What was He communicating through this choice?
2. The sermon mentioned that the crowds changed Psalm 118 from "blessed is he who comes" to "blessed is the king who comes." Why is this significant?
3. Why were the Pharisees so upset by the celebration? What did they see when they looked at Jesus?
Personal Reflection
1. Pastor Lucas said, "It's not enough to simply know the facts about Jesus. It's what you believe about him that matters." What's the difference between knowing facts about Jesus and truly knowing Him?
2. What's the relationship between faith and facts? Can you have one without the other?
3. It's easy (and tempting) to reimagine Jesus in our own image, making Him fit our priorities and values. In what ways might you have done this?
Going Deeper
1. Jesus told the Pharisees that if the disciples were quiet, "the stones will cry out." What does it mean that creation recognizes Jesus even when people don't?
2. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-7 together. Paul calls this the "good news." Why is the resurrection not just interesting historical information but truly good news for us today?
3. Jesus "came to liberate the world, to conquer sin and death, not through political or military might, but through the greatest act of love that the world has ever seen." How does this change the way we think about power and victory?
Key Takeaways
- Same event, different perspectives - The crowds and Pharisees saw the same Jesus but interpreted Him completely differently based on their values and expectations.
- Jesus defies our categories - He wasn't the political/military leader the crowds wanted, nor the heretic the Pharisees claimed. He was so much more.
- Creation knows what we forget - Nature recognizes its Creator even when humanity rebels or ignores Him.
- Facts aren't enough - Knowing about Jesus historically isn't the same as trusting Him personally and understanding what His life, death, and resurrection mean for you.
- Jesus sees you differently - He doesn't see you as defined by your worst moments or as a failure, but as the one He has always loved and gave His life for.
Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge
Choose one or more of these to practice this week:
- Examine your lens - Spend time in prayer asking God to reveal where you might be projecting your own priorities onto Jesus rather than seeing Him as He truly is. Journal about what God reveals.
- Study the real Jesus - Read through one of the Gospels (Mark is the shortest) and write down things Jesus says or does that surprise you or challenge your assumptions about Him.
- Share the good news - The resurrection isn't just historical fact but good news. Share with one person this week what the death and resurrection of Jesus means to you personally.
- Celebrate like creation - The sermon mentioned that creation never forgets its Creator. Take a walk outside and intentionally notice how creation points to God. Spend time in worship and praise.
- Move from facts to relationship - If you've known about Jesus but never personally trusted Him with your life, take that step this week. Talk to your group leader or a trusted Christian friend about what that means.
Closing Reflection
"When you look at Jesus, what do you see?"
Take a few moments of silence for each person to honestly answer this question for themselves. Then, if comfortable, share with the group.
Prayer Requests and Closing Prayer
- Share prayer requests with one another
- Pray specifically that each group member would see Jesus more clearly
- Pray for those who may be ready to give their lives to Christ for the first time
- Thank God that He sees us not as failures but as deeply loved
For Next Week
Read Luke 22-24 (the crucifixion and resurrection accounts) and come prepared to discuss what Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection.