February 1, 2025
A video introduction using illustrations, personal stories, metaphors, or active learning examples to begin the discussion.
After the video, prompts are supplied for thinking and sharing with others personal perception and experience. This opening activity prompts participants to think about and relate to the topic, and to share with others.
If you were to introduce or announce a person to others, which three items from this list do you think would best capture or describe the person, and why? How do these choices influence how we understand someone’s identity?
The Bible discussion begins with a careful reading of the whole passage, either from your own Bibles, or from the provided images below.
Then participants are to ask:
Read Matthew 21:4-11:
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
What titles did people use to “define” Jesus in the story?
Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey reveals His humility and peace-focused mission as the Messiah. While people expected a conquering king to arrive on a horse, symbolizing power and victory in battle, Jesus defied those expectations by riding a donkey—a sign of peace. This contrast highlights His intent to bring salvation as a lamb/sacrifice, not political revolution.
The crowd’s response to Jesus during His triumphal entry is striking. They praised Him as King, laying down palms and shouting, “Hosanna!” Yet, days later, some in the same crowd demanded His crucifixion. This shift reflects the fickleness of human nature and the tendency to embrace Jesus only when He aligns with personal expectations. In what way do we act in a similar way?
The question, “Who is this?” reveals how little people truly understood Jesus. Many saw Him as the carpenter’s son, a teacher from Galilee, or even “the prophet from Nazareth,” but not the divine Son of God. Could it be that people today still hold a limited view of Jesus, even after all these years? To be aware of Jesus and being “in Christ” are two different experiences. Even though many did not understand the truth of the Son of God, some did, as in reports in John 1:9-13. What might be limiting your vision of Christ?
A parting video clip with a personal invitation to apply the message to “knowing Christ” and “living in Christ” in the coming week.