Your Kingdom Come—The Gospel of Matthew

Power (Matthew 21:1-11)

Matt Loveday

April 2, 2023

With a friend, your family or in your small group, discuss the following questions:

1. The word power can hold a lot of weight in our world and in our lives. In what ways have you seen power be divisive or harmful? In what ways have you experienced power to be life-giving and liberating?
2. Read Matthew 21:1-5. What stands out to you about these verses knowing that Jesus is on his way into Jerusalem and that, in just a few short days, he will be crucified?
3. Humility can be described as a balance between power and vulnerability. How does the bible reveal this to be true of God? How have you seen this understanding of humility at work in the world and in your own life?
4. Read Matthew 21:6-9. Reflect on how the celebration of Jesus on Palm Sunday seems so far removed from the crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday. How is this possible? How does knowing that God’s plan has always been for the cross sit with you?
5. Discuss the tensions that arise for you as you consider that the Kingdom of God is already here AND is still to come (in its fullness). Then read Psalm 22:1-5. This is the Psalm that Jesus began to quote from the cross. How do you see the tensions of “already but not yet” come into play here?
6. Read Matthew 21:10-11. The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar, wondering who Jesus was and what God was up to. Describe a time in your life when you felt like you experienced an uproar in your life—an exciting time when you felt God was up to something. What do you feel may be a next step of faith that God is inviting you into?
7. What lessons in life and faith is God teaching you through this message that you can apply to your life this week?
      

Prayer and Action Item

Take a few moments to read and reflect on Philippians 2:5-11 and ponder what humility looks like in the kingdom of heaven. Take a moment to confess and consider how you can live with more humility in your life. Pray and ask God for the wisdom and strength to live with humility in your family, church, community and world.