Countdown: Jesus Rides Into Town

1. When you hear “3, 2, 1,” what kind of moment comes to mind for you–excitement, fear, anticipation, dread? What’s the most vivid countdown that you remember?

2. Read Luke 19:28-35. As Jesus gets ready to enter Jerusalem, the capital city of Israel, he gives his disciples some strange instructions. When Jesus told the disciples to go untie a donkey and say, “The Lord needs it,” what do you think was going through their minds? Have you ever sensed God nudging you to do something that felt weird, awkward, or improbable?

3. Read John 12:12-13. The crowd expected a conquering king on a war horse, but Jesus rode in on a donkey - a symbol of peace. Where in your life are you tempted to want Jesus to show up with power and force rather than with peace and humility?

4. Read John 12:14-16. The disciples failed to understand the things that were happening at the moment. Why do you think it’s so hard to see what God is doing in the moment? How do you personally respond when life doesn’t make sense right away?

5. We learned from the story of the disciples and the donkey that when God tells you to go and do something “over there”, it is because God has already been “over there” doing something before you get there. Where have you seen that play out in your own life–either where you obeyed and later saw why, or where you ignored the nudge and wondered what might have happened?

3, 2, 1 - Who is someone God is pointing out that you need to invite to come and see over the next few weeks? Go!