Big idea
What would you do if you knew you had one week to live? Maybe you would gather all of your loved ones and spend time with them. Maybe you would eat a meal at your favorite restaurant and order at least three courses. Maybe you would make things right with someone you have had a conflict with. While we cannot know how many days we have left on earth, Jesus did. As He entered the last week of His life, He was keenly aware that His time on earth was coming to an end. We actually know some of the things that took place during His last week, and this week we are going to take a look at how Jesus spent Sunday-Wednesday during that week.
Break the ice
What would you do if you knew you had 7 days to live?
Small group questions
Bible study questions
- Why is faith important when God asks us to do something that does not make sense to other people?
- Read Luke 19:28-40. What is significant about this moment?
Jesus’ Triumphant Entry
28After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples. 29As he came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead. 30“Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”
32So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. 33And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?”
34And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on.
36As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. 37When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.
38“Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”
39But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”
40He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”
- What are some reasons why these people praised Jesus? (Remember, many Israelites were looking for a political ruler to rescue them from Rome.
- Read Matthew 25:14-30, a story Jesus taught during His last week. Summarize the message Jesus was giving through this story.
Parable of the Three Servants
14“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. 15He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.
16“The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. 17The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. 18But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.
19“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. 20The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’
21“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’
22“The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’
23“The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’
24“Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’
26“But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, 27why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’
28“Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. 29To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 30Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Application
- If you were to die today, how would people remember you and the life you lived?
- What are some ways that God has gifted you? How can you do a better job investing in His Kingdom?
- What action steps can you take this week to make a difference in the world?
Moving forward
Talk with your group for a moment about how you can specifically invest your gifts in the church. How might God use you and the gifts He has given you to advance His mission at Sagebrush? Then, share this with your group and commit to taking a step this week to find out how you can serve in that capacity.
Going deeper
We learned during the weekend message that the Sunday that Jesus rode into Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover was known as Lamb Selection Day. This was a day when people picked out a lamb to sacrifice for their family’s sins. Then, later in the week, that lamb would be killed, and the sins of the family would be forgiven. This was deeply symbolic because Jesus was the Lamb of God who had come to pay the price of the sins of the world once and for all. Let’s take a few minutes to dive into the symbolism of this moment and the fact that Jesus was indeed the Lamb of God.
Read Genesis 3:20-24, verses that take place right after Adam and Eve brought sin into the world by sinning.
- · What were the consequences of Adam and Eve’s sin?
- · What evidence of God’s grace is seen in these verses?
- · What sacrifice was made on behalf of Adam and Eve in these verses?
Read Exodus 12:1-13, verses that took place during the first Passover as God was in the process of rescuing the Israelites from Egypt.
- · What type of animal was required for this sacrifice?
- · Who was the Lord showing judgment against in these verses? Why?
- · How did the animal’s blood protect the Israelites?
Read John 1:29-31
- · What is significant about John’s statement that Jesus is the “Lamb of God’?
- · Knowing what you know about sacrifices in the Old Testament based on the verses you have read above, how was Jesus the ultimate lamb?
Reflect:
The news that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world is the best news you will ever hear. It is too good to keep to ourselves. Bring a friend weekend is coming up on August 20th and 21st. Who can you bring along with you to one of our services that weekend to hear the hope of Jesus? Share with your group who you will bring and pray together that they will accept your invitations and that God would prepare their hearts to hear the message He has for them.
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
33I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
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