Matt Zainea                                                Rockford Campus                                                   Mar. 10, 2024

 

PALM SUNDAY

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE

 

[back to Group Discussion main page]

 

REMINDERS

Leader Development Class (Sunday nights) – We relaunched the LDC this Spring and so far, it’s been GREAT dialogue. This April, we’re going after topics that are incredibly relevant to your leadership when it comes to “Gospel Conversations”.

PLEASE JOIN US IN ROOM 300 (RK CAMPUS) SUNDAY NIGHTS FROM 6-7pm!

 

 

 

TOGETHER IN LIFE

This week, we reflect on and pray over the events leading up to Jesus’ death on the cross. This is often referred to as “Holy Week” or “Passion Week”.

 

Take some time to talk as a group about your memories of Easter (and specifically about Holy Week) growing up.

What did you do to reflect on Holy Week previously?

Was much time spent reflecting on the events preceding Jesus’ death?

What was involved in your reflective process?

How might slowing down to reflect on Jesus’ last week of His earthly life help prepare your heart for Easter Celebration?

 

 

 

TOGETHER IN THE WORD

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: SEE READING PLAN AT END OF SDG

 

This week we take a detour from our regular plan…

 

Please take a look at the end of the Sermon Discussion Guide for a Reading Plan that includes (in as close of chronological order as is possible) the events leading up to the Crucifixion.

Consider skimming over them as a group and briefly touching on the main points of what happened in your group time to help with the discussion and reflection.

 

HOLY WEEK

 

THE LAST WEEK OF JESUS’ LIFE

In the last week of Jesus’ earthly life, many events occur. These take place in the following passages of the Gospels:

Matthew 21-27

Mark 11-15

Luke 19:28-23

John 12-19

 

These 25 chapters represent anywhere from 20-36% of each Gospel book. This is a substantial series of events worth remembering and retelling for future generations.

 

We encourage you not to rush past these series of events, but to take time to reflect on each individually leading up to and including Jesus’ death.

As you engage the texts, ask and answer the following questions for each event:

• What stands out to you?
• What does this passage tell you about God?
• What feels most challenging to understand? What feels most unclear?
• What do you think this situation might’ve been like for the disciples?
• How does this passage build to the next?
• How does this passage help me love, know, and/or worship God more?

 

TOGETHER IN ACTION

 

Matt says: two things that hold us back from Jesus are Sin and Anxiety

This weekend in the worship service, we used rocks to help us think of our sin that we must repent of at the foot of the cross. We used cards to write down our anxieties to release at the foot of the cross.

Take time this week as a group to talk through what that is like for you, what you reflected upon and how this group can help you in repentance and/or release.

 

TOGETHER IN PRAYER

Pray   Consider fasting this week as a way of reflecting upon Christ’s sacrifice for us on the cross. When you fast, you engage your whole self (mind, body, and soul) in the process of depending upon God to meet your need.

 

 

PASSION WEEK – SCRIPTURE LIST

Sunday – Official Presentation of Jesus to Israel Luke 19:29-44 Matthew 21:11-17 (see also Mark 11:1-11, John 12:12-19)	Friday AM 2-3AM – Arrest John 18:2-12 Matthew 26:47-56 2:30 AM – First Jewish Phase: Annas John 18:13-24 3-4:30 AM – Second Jewish Phase: Caiaphas Matthew 26:57-68 4:30 AM – Peter’s Denials Matthew 26:69-75 5-5:45 AM Third Jewish Phase: Sanhedrin Luke 22:66-71 Matthew 27:3-10 6:00 -9:00AM – First Roman Phase: Pilate John 18:28-38 6:00 -9:00AM – Second Roman Phase: Herod Luke 23:6-12 – Herod 6:00 -9:00AM – Third Roman Phase: Pilate Matthew 27:15-26 John 18:39-19:16 Matthew 27:27-32 – Torture and Travel to Execution Luke 23:26-33a 9:00-12:00 Noon – Crucifixion Part 1: Matthew 27:35-44 John 19:18-27 Luke 23:33b-43
Monday – Cleansing of the Temple Mark 11:12-18 John 12:20-50
Tuesday AM – Official Challenge of Christ’s Authority Mark 11:19-25 Matthew 21:23-23:39 (see Mark 12:1-40, Luke 20) Mark 12:41-44 – The Poor Widow
Tuesday PM – Prophesies Based on Jewish Rejection Matthew 24:1-25:46	Friday PM 12 Noon to 3 PM – Crucifixion Part 2: Darkness Covers Matthew 27:45-56 John 19:28-30 Luke 23:46 Matthew 27:51-56 3-5 PM – Piercing of Side and Disposal of the Body John 19:31-42 Mark 15:42-45 Luke 23:55-56
Wednesday – The Plot to Kill Jesus Matthew 26:1-16
Thursday – The Last Supper Luke 22:7-16 John 13:1-38 Luke 22:17-20 John 14:1-17:26 10:30 PM- 1:00AM – Gethsemane Matthew 26:30-46
	Saturday Matthew 27:62-66 – Securing of the Tomb

*Source: https://www.thedisciplemakingparent.com/scripture-readings-for-the-passion-week/*