SERMON RECAP
John 12 tells us that on Palm Sunday, the crowds welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem with celebration, palm branches, and cries of “Hosanna.” Pastor Mike Schnepp reminds us that while Jesus was visible to everyone, many still missed who He truly was. The crowd wanted a political rescuer, the disciples were confused by what they could not understand, and the Pharisees resisted Jesus because He threatened their way of life. Though Jesus was hidden in plain sight, their expectations kept them from recognizing the kind of King He really is.
This message invites us to examine our own hearts. Are we coming to Jesus with our own agenda? Are we struggling to trust Him when life feels confusing? Are we resisting surrender and keeping Jesus at a safe distance? Palm Sunday shows us that Jesus is not the King we would have designed, but He is exactly the King we need—humble, trustworthy, and victorious over sin and death. The invitation is clear: see the bigger story and submit again to the true King.
SCRIPTURE: John 12:12–19, Zechariah 9:9, Psalm 118:25, John 10:10, Psalm 44:23-26, Daniel 9:20-27
HOW TO USE THIS DISCUSSION GUIDE
As you lead the discussion, note there is a specific framework. We believe that spiritual growth works best through a specific “working model of change” that includes three key growth areas: Head, Heart, and Hands.
HEAD: These questions help us examine what the scripture shows.
HEART: These questions help us wrestle with what we believe.
HANDS: This is where you encourage a response to obey and apply what God is speaking.
Leader Reminder: The goal of this discussion is not just conversation but transformation. Encourage participation, honesty, and practical obedience.
ICE BREAKER
- Have you ever misunderstood someone’s intentions at first and only later realized what was really going on?
- When you hear the word “king,” what kinds of qualities or images come to mind?
- What is one part of Holy Week or Easter that has been especially meaningful to you in the past?
HEAD
What does the scripture show?
- In John 12:12–19, what do we learn about the crowd, the disciples, and the Pharisees in this passage?
- What do the actions of the crowd reveal about what they expected Jesus to do?
- How does Jesus’ actions reveal what kind of King he came to be?
HEART
What do we believe?
- Are there areas where you have expected Jesus to work according to your timeline or agenda? What has that revealed in your heart?
- When life feels confusing or God seems hard to understand, what helps you keep trusting His heart and not just your feelings?
- Are there areas of your life where you are keeping Jesus at a safe distance—things you don’t want to surrender to Him? What makes those areas hard to release?
HANDS
Practice Together in Community
- Which group do you relate to most right now—the crowd, the disciples, or the Pharisees? Based on this, what is one specific step of obedience God is inviting you to take this week?
- What do you need from the group right now—prayer, encouragement, wisdom, or accountability?
SHARE: MISSION
Living Out the Message This Week
Intercede
- Who is one person you will pray for every day this week? (Say their name out loud in the group.)
- What is one specific request you will bring to God on their behalf?
Share (Mission & Obedience — Individual)
- Who will you share this takeaway with this week?
- Ask God for one opportunity this week to pray for someone in real time.
Action Step
Complete this sentence: “This week, I will live out this sermon by __________.”
NEXT WEEK CHECK-IN
- Encourage the group to return next week ready to share how they practiced the HANDS step and how they lived out the SHARE: MISSION step.
PRAYER
- Pray for hearts that recognize Jesus as He truly is instead of as we want Him to be.
- Pray for deeper trust in seasons of confusion, disappointment, or silence.
- Pray for courage to surrender every area of life to the rule of Jesus.
- Pray that our groups would respond to Jesus with obedience, humility, and renewed worship as we prepare our hearts for Easter.