Power of God's Peace

• Discuss some memories you have of Holy Week. Did your family have any traditions you would do or participate in throughout the week? 
  
• Read Matthew 21:1-11. What caught your attention from this story?
  
• What do we learn about Jesus from this story?
  
• In v2-3, Jesus gives instructions to his disciples. How would you have felt if he gave those instructions to you? Why do you think the disciples obeyed him?
  
• Why is this detail of Jesus riding on a donkey important? (Check out the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9!) 
  
• When Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the crowd treated him like a king. What were they expecting of him?
  
• The crowd shouted “Hosanna in the highest” which means “God save us”. But what they wanted to be saved from (aka Rome) was not why Jesus came (to save them from their sin). Have you or someone you know ever known someone who was disappointed when God didn't meet their expectations? What is our response in these situations?
  
• What are some unrealistic expectations we sometimes have of God? What can we do to keep our expectations of God rooted in truth?
  
• The crowd recognized Jesus in v11 as a prophet from Nazareth in Galilee. They didn’t fully acknowledge Him as the Messiah. What is the difference between honoring Jesus and recognizing Him as the Messiah? How do people today honor Jesus, but not recognize Him as the Messiah? 
  
• Where do you notice peace is lacking in your life or the world around you? What needs to be done so that you (or those in your world) can experience the power of God’s peace in this area?
  
• What are some activities you can do this next week to stay focused on the true meaning of Easter? ​