Dr. Don Denyes // Rockford Campus // April 13, 2025

SMALL GROUP
DISCUSSION GUIDE

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Luke 19 & 23

REMINDERS

Leader Appreciation Gathering

Each year in May we want to slow down and take time to connect and celebrate our group leaders.

Please join us for our annual Leader Appreciation Dinner on May 7, 6-8pm at The Barn (5330 Kies Rd, Rockford, MI 49341).

We’ll enjoy a great meal, good conversation, and pray for and with one another. It’s always a good time shared with great people!

SIGN UP HERE

Questions? Reach out to Kim at [email protected]

 

Men and Women’s Spring Bible Studies
Sign ups are open now for Men and Women’s Spring Bible Studies. Visit the Events section on the website to learn more.

 

Holy Week Experience (Sunday, April 13th, 5:30–7pm)
Come and experience the events of Holy Week, the week leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, at this event designed by Kid and Student ministries. Ponder the extent of His love for you while you walk through five self-guided stations at your own pace. The stations include clearing the temple, the anointing at Bethany, the garden, the last supper, and Good Friday. A meal will be provided at the beginning of the evening.

 

Easter Drama – Flames of Hope (April 17–19)
In our world where wars, disasters, political struggles, and desperate people surround us, the amazing Easter story comes to life on stage before us. Experience the passion of Jesus and the events that follow. Hunted by both religious leaders and irate Romans wanting to silence them, believers face fierce persecution, imprisonment, disasters, and even martyrdom under emperor Nero. What hope do they have? What hope does our world have? Be encouraged with the good news embedded in this immersive drama with an incredible cast, orchestra, live animals, authentic sets and costumes, creative choreography, and special effects.

FIND OUT MORE INFO HERE: https://magnifychurch.org/event/easter-drama-flames-of-hope/

TOGETHER IN LIFE

This week we celebrate the beginning of Holy Week – Palm Sunday. In church history, Easter has always been the “highest holy day” – the biggest deal of them all. What has Easter celebration looked like for you over the years? What are you currently doing to make preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection?

 

TOGETHER IN THE WORD

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Luke 19:28-44 & 23:32-43

Note: If you are meeting as a group, we encourage you to read the text together out loud.

KEY QUESTION:

• Is Jesus the King of your life? If so, how? If not, what may be keeping you from believing and trusting in Him?

GOING DEEPER:

“Hosanna! Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!”

The coming of Jesus brought a large, unmissable crowd, loud and victorious chanting, and celebrating of the mighty works of God. This was either a time of great joy or great disturbance, depending on one’s view of Jesus at the time.

QUESTIONS

• Who do you imagine might’ve been in crowds?
• What do you think it might’ve felt like to have been in the crowd, seeing Jesus ride in as a king?
• Why were the people so excited to have this Messiah come? (see: Isaiah 42, 52:13-15 & 53, Psalm 118)
• Who would’ve been disturbed by His arrival? Why?

Messiah is here…

In His coming, Jesus – the conquering King and Chosen One (Messiah) would make all wrongs right, bring justice to those who have been harmed. His triumphal entry had long been awaited and now was here. But as with many of God’s ways, it was not going to happen as expected…

QUESTIONS

• What various parts of the Passion week were strange or out of the ordinary? (Consider: Jesus’ time in the temple, Passover dinner, etc.)
• Read Luke 19:41-43 again. Why, after all the pomp and celebration around His arrival, did Jesus weep?
• In what ways did the people who were upset with Jesus treat Him? (Consider: the Pharisees and Sadducees, the people, Judas)
• Was Jesus ever out of control or unsure; did He demonstrate any weakness in the events leading up to His death?
• In Luke 23, What options could Jesus have taken as He was being tried, beaten, and crucified? What other ways could He have behaved?
• How does Jesus’ submission to the will of the Father model for us what we should do in our life – regardless of how stressful, painful and unjust our circumstances?

Jesus is King!

When someone is crowned King, He has certain powers, rights, and privileges. Jesus as King of all things is the highest of powers, most extensive of rights, and more privileged of all.

QUESTIONS

• If you knew you only had one more week to live, what might change? How would you view life differently? What kinds of things might you do?
• How did Jesus chose to use His power, rights, and privileges in the last week of His life?
• How does treating Jesus as your King (Lord, Boss, Master) change how you view life now?
• In what ways might we trust Jesus as our Savior, but deny Him as our King? How does this harm us and others?
• In what ways is Jesus calling you to both believe and trust in Him as your King today?

TOGETHER IN ACTION & PRAYER

Take time to read and pray each day through the reading plan below about the various events that went on during Jesus’ last pre-resurrection week.

Here’s one produced by our team for our Holy Week Experience.

And here’s another produced by  “The Disciple Making Parent” for chronological reading: Holy Week Chronological Reading List