Big Idea

Jesus is King! In Jesus, we find someone to worship and follow.

Scripture

Mark 11:1-11, Zechariah 9:9-10, Colossians 1:13-14, Revelation 19:16

Opening Questions

1. Who have you been able to B.L.E.S.S. recently? Who can you B.L.E.S.S. this week?
2. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
3. One of the most familiar images of God in the Old and New Testament is “King.” A king was to be honored and respected and was a source of protection, justice, and mercy and a symbol of power and authority. How surprising to you is that Jesus portrays himself as a humble and gentle king?

Bible Discussion

4. Read Mark 11:1-11 and Zechariah 9:9-10. The people responded to Jesus as a king: he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, not a warhorse, they spread their coats on the ground – a gesture reserved for royalty, and they shouted and sang songs (vs. 9-10) full of expectation of deliverance. What do you think it would have felt like to be there that day?
5. Read Colossians 1:13-14. Here it says we’ve been brought into the benevolent rule of God in contrast to the dominion of darkness. What does it mean for someone or a community to be “brought” into this new Kingdom from a rival kingdom? What do these metaphors suggest?

Life Application

6. The Christian tradition has called those who recognize Jesus as King to put their faith in him. Faith is not mental assent or simply “believing claims” about Jesus; to put one’s faith in Jesus is to “give allegiance” to Jesus. What does that mean practically for someone to give their allegiance to Jesus?
7. To give allegiance to Jesus means we will inevitably bump into areas of our lives that are not aligned with his Kingdom. What areas of your life do you think could be more aligned with Jesus?
8. How might we each take a step toward living a life of faith in Jesus? How can our group encourage each other?