Glencairn Church

Going Deeper is designed for use with your small group, a friend, or on your own. Its aim is to create time for you to spend with God and his word. Do as much or as little as you like.

1. Pray for each other, our church and leaders, for the not-yet believers in your life, and for opportunities to disciple others. Share a recent entry from your Life Journal with the group.

2. Knowing that his life was coming to an end, Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on an unbroken colt of a donkey. The people cheered and shouted praises as he arrived, hoping that this was indeed the Messiah that would usher in a better kingdom than even King David’s.

3. Read Mark 11:1-11. Mark’s account includes vivid details for the arrangements of his entry. Do you think Jesus prearranged these plans with the colt’s owner, or did this event reflect His supernatural
knowledge? Support your answer. What is the significance of the detail that the colt had never been ridden? Why a donkey and not a horse, which would be the usual choice for a king (See also Zech 9:9)? What do you
think about Jesus’ instruction to reply with “The Lord needs it” if their actions were challenged? (v3). Where else do you see Jesus acting as “Lord”.

4. Knowing that Jesus always acted purposefully, what do you think he hoped to accomplish with this unusual entrance. Read Genesis 49:8-12. How might this entry be a messianic sign? How does it relate to his death
and resurrection?

5. Read Psalm 118:25-26. Pilgrims coming to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover would often chant these words, as well as the six “ascent” psalms (Pss 113-118) to express thanksgiving, petition, and praise to God. Hosanna is a transliteration of the Hebrew word meaning “O save us now”. Take time to speak words of praise and petition God. What are you thankful for? Where do you need saving?

6. Read 2 Sam 7:16; Amos 9:11-12. How is the coming kingdom different than the Davidic kingdom? What relationship does God’s kingdom have to earthly politics? Authority? Suffering?

7. Read Mark 11:15-17; John 2:19-21; Matt 26:60-61. Why does Jesus go to the temple? The statement he makes about the temple eventually gets him killed. What was Jesus getting at? What is our relationship with the temple? How does the temple impact our understanding of the Gospel?

8. Take a moment of silence to consider how God is speaking to you. Is He asking you to make changes or to do something new? What concrete steps of response do you want to take? How can your group support you in these steps?