Message Notes for April 13, 2025

Palm Sunday

Title: The Road to Victory

Matthew 21:1-17 Jesus comes into Jerusalem

Hosanna – A shout of celebration, declaration, coronation, salvation!

What did Jesus want to accomplish through this parade?

∙ Announcement

∙ Authority

∙ Identity

∙ Invitation

∙ Final Declaration

As you wave the palm in your hand, what will be your declaration?

Family/Group Study Notes for the week of April 13, 2025

Palm Sunday

Title: The Road to Victory

• Share with your family/group your favorite memories of being in a parade? Where were you?  What parade was it? Why were you celebrating? What was being waved? 
• Read Matthew 21:1-17.  At first glance in the passage, what things stand out as unusual? Why do you think some were celebrating and others were not? If people would just focus on God, what does Jesus say would happen naturally?  What position do you think you would be in at this parade?  Why?
• What were the people selling in the temple and why?  What made Jesus angry about this?  Since Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins eliminating the need to offer sacrifices for forgiveness, what does it mean to sacrifice before the Lord today?  Why would we do this?  
• How does this passage of Scripture identify Jesus as Messiah from God? 
• How did the city of Jerusalem react to Jesus’ entry? What does the question “Who is this?” reveal about their understanding of Jesus? What things did Jesus do or not do that would have helped them understand who He was?  Why do you think people miss Jesus today? 
• Why do you think Jesus healed the blind and the lame in the temple? How does this fit with the overall message of Matthew 21? What does this say about Jesus’ mission to bring healing and restoration to people? 
• Read Luke 19:41-44. Why did Jesus weep before he even entered Jerusalem?   What did Jesus understand about people?  What does Jesus want for all of us?
• What causes eyes and hearts to be blind and closed to the message of Jesus today?  What can we do to help bring light? 
• In this passage Jerusalem would eventually be destroyed 40 years later by the Romans after a Jewish rebellion, but how can this passage metaphorically speak of the enemies that can destroy us if we miss out on the visitation of Jesus in our lives? 
• Take some time as a group to pray for those who do not know Jesus.  Pray also for Jesus’ power and grace to fill you with peace.