Dr. Don Denyes // Rockford Campus // March 30, 2025
SMALL GROUP
DISCUSSION GUIDE
THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Luke 19:28-44
REMINDERS
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
Today we began a 5-week miniseries that will complete on Easter Sunday.
What preparations or traditions do you observe in the weeks leading to that day?
TOGETHER IN THE WORD
THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Luke 19:28-44
Note: If you are meeting as a group, we encourage you to read the text together out loud.
KEY QUESTION:
- What is God’s moment for you?
- Do you need to put your trust and faith in Jesus for the rescue of your soul?
- Is there good works (mainly: serving, loving others, forgiving, or confessing sin) that you know you ought to do?
GOING DEEPER:
Go back to the beginning of Ch. 18 and 19 – what preceded this “Triumphal Entry”?
Don said, “Luke 19:9-10 (Zacchaeus) is perhaps the key verse in all of Luke’s gospel.” Why do you think this is? Do you agree? If you had one passage you’d use to describe Luke’s gospel thus far, what would it be?
What purpose did the donkey play in this story? The disciples?
JESUS FULFILLS PROPHECY (v31-34)
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
righteous and having salvation is he,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
(Zechariah 9:9)
Jesus fulfilled many prophecies throughout His earthly life. What other prophecies do you know of that Jesus fulfilled?
- For more reading on the prophecies Jesus fulfilled: Christ in the Old Testament (Coleman, TGC essay)
- John Piper “God Not Only Predicts But Performs His Word”
How do the other passages in Matthew 21, Mark 11, or John 12 describe this same scene? How are they similar? How are they different?
Don said, “Jesus is in complete control through the entire process from His triumphal entry through His death and resurrection.” What do you think this means about how God views suffering versus how we do? How about moments where we feel like things are wasted, annoying, or ineffective/inefficient?
JESUS RECEIVES PRAISE (v35-38)
Jesus accepts the praise from the people that only was fitting for God to accept.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
(Psalm 118:26)
Either Jesus then is truthful in declaring himself as God or He is a liar. What other stories do you recall that point toward Jesus’ being one with the Father and Holy Spirit?
“Rebuke your disciples!” was shouted by some in the crowd who opposed Jesus. How does Jesus respond? How would you reword this to someone who is unfamiliar with Jesus and His worth of our praise?
In what ways do you see worship happen inside of the church body?
In what ways do you see worship outside of church?
What does this tell you about people’s longings and desires?
- John Piper “Worship: We Get Joy, God Gets Praise”
JESUS SHEDS TEARS (v41-42)
The scene turns from one of shouts of jubilation to that of tears. Jesus acknowledges the downfall of His people and their stiff-necked refusal to worship Him and find shalom (peace) in Him.
Where else do we see Jesus’ emotions? How does this help us understand a proper view of His “impassibility”?
Impassibility of God does not exclude His compassion nor His lament – as John Piper says “[God is not] a victim of any of his emotions the way we are.” (ref. here)
How is God’s compassion here similar to that of Lazarus in John 11? How is it different?
Jesus – in part – weeps over how Jerusalem (representing the people of Israel, God’s chosen people) missed their moment. They missed His presence and the true shalom that comes from restored relationship with God. They are choosing the consequence of that decision, which is eternal separation from Him and destruction in this life and the one to come.
Don’t miss the moment!
TOGETHER IN ACTION
What is God’s moment for you?
Is it now, in this very moment that you need to put your trust in God for the rescue of your soul? Do you understand your sins as death and your status as dead apart from Christ and in need of resurrection life? Do you believe that Jesus is the only one who can rescue you and that your trust in Him – both in word and deed – is how to receive this gift of rescue? Do you trust Him? Are you tired of putting yourself in charge – are you ready to hand over control to Him? You can do so now through prayer and trusting in Him in your soul. Don’t wait – don’t miss the moment!
QUESTIONS? NEED TO TALK WITH SOMEONE ABOUT TRUSTING GOD FOR THE RESCUE OF YOUR SOUL?
Reach out HERE
Do you already trust God as Lord and Savior of your life? What might you be missing that God has for you?
James 4:17 reminds us that when we know the right thing to do and do not do it, we sin.
In John 15:9-11, Jesus tells us that when we do as He says, it is then that abide in His love. To put it another way: when we do not do the good works He tells us to do, we are refusing to abide in Him.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, do not miss the opportunities that God has before you to do what is good. Trust Him and do the next right thing.
What next right thing might God be calling you to do?
TOGETHER IN PRAYER
Pray that our church would not miss the moment that God has us in – that we would not miss the peace (shalom) that is waiting for us when we love God and love others in the name of Jesus and in the way of Jesus.
Additionally, This past weekend we had over 238 people attend our “Two As One” Marriage Event. Pray that the Lord would strengthen the marriages of our church and that there would be many, many fruits that would come about because of this!
