Growing Deeper in 2017
Think on These Things...
READ John 12:1-23; Luke 19:28-40 together in preparation for your Group Discussion:
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What insights, principles, or observations stood out to you from this week’s message?
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Discuss your answer with your group...
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Receiving the Message and Relating to the
Study...What main point[s] spoke to you the most from this week’s sermon?
Discuss your answer with your group...
LET GO OF YOUR DONKEY! (John 12:1-11; Lk. 19:28-36)
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Today is Palm Sunday which is part of what we call “Passion Week,” the final week
leading up to Christ Crucifixion. This week was A very busy week for Jesus and His
disciples. Jesus has become famous as the man who raised Lazarus from the dead.
Mary, Martha and Lazarus have put on a dinner to honor him and many people are
curious about him. Words of Jesus arrival has brought many people to Bethany to see
the miracle worker and the man brought back from the dead. Jesus goes on from here
to finally reveal Himself as the Messiah as he enters Jerusalem on a donkey: Lets dive
in to this exciting study:
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1. As we begin our study please review and summarize what happened to
Lazarus in John 11:1-7,14-18 & 33-45, 53 in preparation to answer the
following questions:
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Let someone from your group retell the story of Lazarus in their own
words. What happened and what insights do group members have to
contribute?
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Why did the chief priest want to kill Lazarus and Jesus? What does this
tell you about them? How can people’s hearts get so hard?
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c.
Read John 12:12-19, why does Jesus come riding into Jerusalem on a
donkey? What’s the significance? (cc Jn. 12:15-16; Zech. 9:9)
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d.
What is the significance of Jesus riding a donkey rather than a horse for you
and me?
e.
Read Luke 19:29-32 – What is significant about the fact that this donkey is
wild and has never been ridden before?
a.
b.
Pastor Ray stated that “The Rabbis interpret almost every donkey reference as a
subtle allusion to the coming Messiah.( i.e. Gen 22:3, Ex. 4:20)
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Growing Deeper in 2017
Jesus is our Lord and King and even animals submit to His leading as we see with this
young donkey. The people who owned the donkey willingly let the disciples take it
when they knew it was for the Lords use. Read Lk 19:28-40 and answer the following:
1. Why do you think that Christ told the disciples how to answer the owners of
the donkey?
2. Pastor Ray asked us a provoking question: What is your donkey? You and I
have a “donkey” in our life, something we consider important, but a still small
voice days, “Let it Go, the Lord needs to take it away? What is your donkey?
Will you give it to the Lord for His use?
3. What did the disciples begin to do as Jesus came near the city of Jerusalem as
He rode the colt? (Lk 19:36-38)
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Digging Deeper in God’s Word...Life Lessons:
This Palm Sunday was also the Jewish month of Nissan 10, which was Lamb Selection day for
every Jewish family to choose a Lamb for the coming Passover.
1.
What was the Pharisee’s reaction to the disciples rejoicing and crying out in praise
of Jesus as Messiah?
2.
Why did they tell Jesus to rebuke his disciples?
3.
What was Jesus response to the Pharisees? (Lk 19:40)
4.
When Jesus began His ministry, he told people not to reveal his identity (Mk 1:34,
Matt 16:20, Mk 1:40-44) but now he has publically accepted praise. In your
opinion, why do you think this is the time Jesus chose to reveal himself?
Pastor Ray stated that current Physicists have theorized that “Matter records
sounds and that sub-atomic particles from the sound waves are embedded in these
stones.” Knowing that every word, action and deed is recorded, how does that
make you feel as you consider some of the careless words we have spoken at
times?
5.
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Applying God’s Word...What did you learn from this study and how
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does this personally speak to you? Discuss your answer with your group..
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It’s a sobering thought to consider that the rocks can literally cry out! As believers we
know that all of our sins have been paid for “in full” on the cross of Christ. “For He
made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness
of God in Him.” (2 Cor.5:21). Thank God for His saving Grace!
Pastor Ray said “Jesus still yearns to be publically acknowledged for His True identity.
He desires all the world to receive His Love and Peace and Joy!” The greatest thing
that can happen in your life is not money, power or success – It’s the entrance of the
Messiah into your heart.
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This Easter/Passover lets invite friends and family as we proclaim Jesus as the Prince
of peace, our Messiah and King. Pray together with your group for those you can
invite to Church this Sunday. Share with your Group “It’s Friday but Sundays Coming”
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cikenKl92Og)
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