Community Group Guide
> Why We Gather
At The Springs Church, we desire for community groups to be a place where we BEHOLD JESUS, BECOME LIKE JESUS, and BELONG IN COMMUNITY. This means that our primary goal for groups is to gather around the transforming presence of Christ. As we gather around the transforming presence of Jesus, we believe by faith that we will be incrementally transformed into His image and likeness. With that in mind, let's begin in prayer by asking the Holy Spirit to lead our time together, move on our hearts, and help us behold Jesus, become Like Jesus, and experince the gift of belonging in community. Let's pray.
> Announcements
- Easter is around the corner! Save the date and invite your friends and family! We'll have an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday April 19th for the kiddos and two services on Sunday, April 2oth. Visit thespringstx.org/easter to learn more.
> Give Thanks
Take a few moments to briefly share about anything that you are thankful unto the Lord for? Perhaps you've witnessed God answer a prayer or experienced a moment that strengthened your faith. Feel free to share any recent occurrences that have encouraged you or instances where you've felt God's presence at work in your life.
> Scripture Reading
Have someone read Mark 11:1-10 and Psalm 118:10-29.
> Discussion Questions
The King who Rides on a Borrowed Donkey
The triumphal entry has the structure of a coronation ceremony where the king rides into the capital city with the people rejoicing and singing praise. The song they sing comes from Psalm 118, with the two themes being hosanna, which means “save us,” and speaking a blessing on the king and his coming kingdom. However, there is irony in this coronation. We expect a king to come in pomp and wealth. Jesus instead rides on a borrowed donkey, portraying humility and poverty. Jesus was a king who lived among his people and was familiar with trouble and need. Some people think that because Jesus was God, life must have been easy for him. They think they cannot relate with Jesus because he was not like us. On the contrary, we see that Jesus was close to his people and familiar with hardship. Jesus was fully human and understands our suffering.
Reflection Question: What other stories about Jesus help us see his humanity and his humility?
Reflection Question: What does it look like for us to imitate Jesus in his humility?
The King who Wins by Dying
In the sermon, we explored more of Psalm 118, which the people sang at Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We noted some contrasts between the pictures of victory in the psalm and the way Jesus won victory on the cross. Have someone read Psalm 118:14-20. The psalmist claims that God will not let them die, which would be a sign of ultimate defeat. However, Jesus wins victory over sin by dying on the cross and rising again. The psalmist asks that the gates be opened for the righteous, but Jesus opened the gates to God’s presence even for the unrighteous. Jesus said the same for us who follow him: if we want to save our life, we will lose it. If we are willing to give up our life for his sake, we will save it.
Reflection Question: What questions do you have about why Jesus died and rose again to save us?
Reflection Question: How have you experienced new life through Jesus?
> Confession and Prayer
Reflect and Pray: What are some things that you need saving from? What makes you want to cry out hosanna to Jesus? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you experience the Lordship of Jesus in that part of your life.