4/5/20

PALM SUNDAY

1. CALL TO WORSHIP (HAVE SOMEONE READ ALOUD):

To all who are weary and need promises of peace,

To all who are disappointed and long for comfort,

To all who feel afraid of the future and wonder if God is present,

To all who are frustrated and desire patience,

To all who have fallen short this week and need a Savior:

Our Father opens wide His arms with a welcome from Jesus Christ,

the Strength of the weary,

the Keeper of His promises,

the Healer of the sick,

the Friend of sinners.

2. MATTHEW 21:1-9 (have someone read aloud):

Today is Palm Sunday, which is the First Day of Holy Week.  Have someone read Matthew 21:1-9 aloud, which is the account of Jesus entering Jerusalem in humility as Israel’s long awaited Messiah. In a season like ours, of global upheaval…where people the world over are stirred up—consider the same question, but for your own life, “Who is this?”

Is the long-awaited Messiah who was physically present on Palm Sunday in Jerusalem just as present with you this morning? Consider (silently or in conversation): What are the implications of your answer to that question? Does it have implications for your way of life right now?

3. SHARE TOGETHER:

  • What are you currently thankful for? 

  • What is causing you stress?

  • Who needs our help and how can we help them?

4. PRAYER:

Let the subjects brought up in your conversation and from Psalm 91 lead you to prayer.

Best Practices:

  • Spend a few moments praying conversationally.

  • Pray in sentences, not paragraphs.

  • Pray multiple times and allow the prayer of others to stimulate your prayers.

  • Invite any kids with you to pray.

    (When the group falls silent, anyone can say amen and close the group prayer.)

5. READ philippians 1:12-18 TOGETHER:

At a slow to medium pace, read the passage two times outloud. Allow the content to sink in and become familiar. After doing so, try to recall and piece together—from memory—what you read.



6. ASK:

  1. What does this passage teach us about God?

  2. What does this passage teach us about humanity? (Christians and/or non-christians)

  3. What does this passage teach me to believe, think, do? 

  4. Who do I know who needs to hear this? How will I go about sharing it with them?

7. BENEDICTION:

Have someone read this out loud to the group:

“Brothers and sisters, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you…The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” —2 Cor. 13:11, 14 

8. Listen THROUGHOUT YOUR DAY:


 

REFLECT:

  • This week is Holy Week. How do you plan to engage the story of Jesus’ last week before His Crucifixion?

  • How can you best love and serve those around you this week?

REST:

  • What practices give you a sense of renewal and invigoration? How will you pursue and give them preference in your week?