CONNECT:  How can you more intentionally serve as part of the body of Christ?

WARM-UP  Question  

1. Do you think that the question, “Who is Jesus?”, is still relevant for today? Why or why not?

READ Matthew 21:1-7

1. As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, what are the other places named? Do these places have any particular significance with regard to Jewish expectation? (Try consulting a Study Bible if available.)
2. What was Jesus’ request of the disciples (be as detailed as possible)? What did they do? If you were one of the disciples, how do you think you would have responded to such a request?
3. Re-read verse 5. What is this reference? As Jesus intentionally fulfils this prophecy, what does this tell us about his identity as King? (Try to think about both his purpose and character as King.)
4. How is the role of Jesus as the one who fulfils (i.e., the law and the prophets) central to the Gospel of Matthew? What do you think it means that Jesus is the ‘King who Fulfils’?

READ Matthew 21:8-11

1. What were the crowds shouting? What does this actually mean and how significant is it?
2. How does it point to the Good News that Jesus is the King who rescues? How has he done it?
3. What were the crowds doing? What is the significance of this action?
4. What is meant by the whole city being ‘stirred’? What is so relevant about the question that people ask in response to Jesus’ arrival? How would you respond to a friend who asks the same question?

READ Matthew 21:12-17

1. What stands out for you in this part of Matthew 21? Why was Jesus so upset by what was happening? How is this different to a church doing something like selling event tickets in the foyer?
2. How do the religious elite respond? What were they actually expecting Jesus to do?
3. What can the children see that the religious leaders are blind to? Can we ever be like that?
4. What does this episode in the Temple tell us about Jesus identity as the King who both judges and shows mercy? How is that Good News for us?

APPLY: How might you grow in familiarity with the Matthew’s Gospel leading up to Easter?

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On Your Frontline This Week: Is there a friend with young kids that you could invite along to Colin Buchanan on Saturday 8 Feb? It’ll be full of music, confetti, and the good news of Jesus!

Listen:          

• AUDIO: “Into Jerusalem” by Tim Keller
• AUDIO: “Folly Backfires” by Christopher Ash
• AUDIO: “Matthew 21:1-11 - God’s King”

Read:          

• READ: The Fickleness of the Crowds?

Other Helpful Resources (For Series):  

• BOOK: “Matthew: A Great Light Dawns”
• ONLINE: Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew (Fuller)
• VIDEO: The Bible Project, Matthew Overview

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