A TALE OF TWO KINGDOMS

The beginning of Holy Week saw two very different parades: one shaped by war, oppression, and intimidation… another marked by humility, peace and sacrifice. 

1. Read through Matthew 21:1-11 – what stands out to you about the way that Jesus entered Jerusalem, what emotions do you think this would have stirred in people?
2. Many had expectations that Jesus would overthrow the Roman Empire as he entered Jerusalem. Can you think of a time in your life when you put certain expectations on Jesus to do something, that he didn’t do? How did it leave you feeling? 
3. Read Ephesians 3:20-21 – Jesus didn’t overthrow the Roman Empire, but he did enter Jerusalem and put an end to the power of sin and death over our lives – how do these verses in Ephesians speak to our expectations and what God is capable of doing?  
4. Read John 10:7-10 – how is this relevant to what we have looked at through the Palm Sunday story? Think about the expectations on Jesus, compared to what he actually did. 

Many in the crowd on Palm Sunday were left asking “Who is this?” when they saw Jesus arrive. Spend some time answering that question for yourself, “who is Jesus to you?”  

If you are going through these questions as a connect group, why not take communion together and share some of your answers.