Study Guide April 13 & 20, 2014
Table of Contents Overhaul (Introduction)...5 Overhaul Prep (Palm Sunday, April 13)...6 Matthew 21:1-11 Overhaul (Easter Sunday, April 20)...8 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
Overhaul (Introduction) Sometimes a tune-up is not enough. There are times when a problem is deep enough that surface improvements just don t cut it. Sometimes a complete overhaul is the only solution. When we face problems with our cars or with our personal lives we seldom rush to take extreme measures. If possible, we try first to address our problems at minimal cost to ourselves. We always prefer a tune-up to an overhaul. We always prefer minor improvements to dramatic measures. The problem, however, is that we often opt for tune-ups when an overhaul is needed. And when we do this, we only delay the inevitable. The problem will persist until we finally take the plunge and opt for the overhaul. We all have problems. We typically think we just need a new job, a little more money, a new relationship, or more will-power. In other words, we just think that we need a tune-up. The fact is, though, that our problems go much deeper. Tune-ups will only help us so much. If we are looking for a real solution, we need an overhaul. During His time on earth Jesus did not simply offer people tune-ups. He didn t give advice on minor improvements in order to smooth out our already-decent lives. He came to offer a complete overhaul new life to people who are broken and in pain. These two lessons, which center on the Easter story, talk about the message of Jesus, which, rather than being about quick-fixes and simple solutions, offers us new life from the dead. 5
Overhaul Prep (Palm Sunday, April 13) Matthew 21:1-11 1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away. 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. Main Point Jesus leads us down the path to humility in order to prepare us for transformation. Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. He claimed to be the king of kings. As the final divine king, He intended to usher in significant changed on a personal and societal level. He doesn t simply introduce a tune-up, but instead a complete overhaul. But as a good leader, Jesus wisely laid the groundwork for these changes. And no preparation is more significant than humility. Without humility, no one will be willing to follow Jesus as He leads toward profound life change. But humility brings an openness to all changes. In this lesson we will explore Jesus final entrance into Jerusalem. During His entrance Jesus demonstrates royal humility. Jesus humbly approaches His own preparation to complete God s task for Him, and He sets the example for what it looks like to humbly yield to God s will. He shows us all what it looks like to embrace humility as a preparation for the big work that God intends to do in and through us. Question for Family Discussion 1. What would convince you that someone was humble? Getting Started 2. What are some ways that you prepare for something that is important to you? Introduction Anytime that an organization introduces significant changes, they are advised first to take certain steps to prepare their people for those changes. They are advised to lay the groundwork, explain what is about to happen, and get buy-in from their stakeholders. Only when the groundwork is laid and the people are prepared, are the changes introduced. This is due to the fact that many have introduced changes without this proper preparation, and things have gone badly. 3. What kinds of qualities would prepare a person for major life change? 6
Digging In Read Matthew 21:1-11. 4. What instructions did Jesus give His disciples in verse 2-3? Wrestling With Issues 10. This passage depicts the humility of Jesus, the Son of God. Is it appropriate for God to be humble? Explain why or why not. 5. What significance do you draw from Jesus instruction in verse 3 about what His disciples should say if anyone questions them? 11. How did Jesus humility prepare Him for the mission (His suffering) that He was about to fulfill? 6. According to the prophecy quoted in verse 5, what is revealed about Jesus when He rides into Jerusalem on a donkey? Taking it to Heart 12. When you look at Jesus humility as He entered Jerusalem, what is one specific way that this impacts how you look at the role of humility in your own life? 7. This appears to be a time when Jesus purposefully acted in order to fulfill prophecy. What do these intentional actions reveal about Jesus relationship with the Father? 13. How will humility prepare you for any significant decisions or life changes to which God will lead you? 8. Verses 8 and 9 tell of the crowds and how they receive Jesus as He rides into Jerusalem. What are the specific ways that they praise and celebrate Jesus? Notes 9. Verses 10-11 reveal how people in Jerusalem responded to this entrance by Jesus. What do you think Jesus wanted others to learn about Him through the specific way He entered the city? 7
Overhaul (Easter Sunday, April 20) 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he has put everything under his feet. Now when it says that everything has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all. curious figure for us. We can instinctively view Him as a guru who gives us good advice in order to bring mild improvements to our lives. We rarely see Him as the king, who has come to change everything. Major changes scare us. They threaten to be expensive (emotionally and financially) and time-consuming. An overhaul rarely sounds appealing. But sometimes a tune-up just won t cut it. If we take an honest look at the brokenness of the world, and of the brokenness in our own lives, we will have to admit that minor improvements are not going to get the job done. The world needs an overhaul. Each of us needs an overhaul. Thankfully Jesus is much more than a sage. He is a divine king. And when He invites us to follow Him, He invites us to the overhaul that each of us so desperately needs. Main Point The life change that Jesus brings does not simply bring about mild improvements, but rather a complete overhaul. Question for Family Discussion 1. What do you see as the biggest problem in your life? Introduction Nobody goes to Jiffy Lube for an overhaul. We take our cars to Jiffy Lube for a simple oil change. We are looking only for basic maintenance. Our cars are running fine, and we simply want them to run a little bit better, a little bit smoother, for a little bit longer. But every so often the employees at Jiffy Lube will recommend significant maintenance. They will suggest the replacement of major car parts. Normally customers respond negatively. Those changes may or may not be necessary. Either way, the major changes are not what brought us to Jiffy Lube. We are only there for a very basic tune-up. The fact is that, on the whole, we look to avoid overhauls. They are expensive and time-consuming. If possible, most of us look to keep our cars running adequately unless major changes are absolutely necessary. This approach to our cars is often the same approach that we have to our lives. We are open to small changes and tune-ups, but we tend to shy away from major shifts. This makes Jesus a Getting Started 2. Share about a time when you saw someone (or yourself) try to use a shallow solution for a deep problem. 3. How do you normally think about the role that God plays when you are pursuing solutions to your problems? 8
Digging In Read 1 Corinthians 15:20-28. 4. For context, read verses 12-19, where Paul talks about what would be lost if Christ has not risen from the grave. Write out everything that Paul mentions in these verses about what would be true if Christ has not risen. Wrestling With Issues 11. Jesus came not simply to solve surface problems, but to bring people from death to life. How does Jesus final victory over death impact the problems that are most frequently on your mind? 5. What is the significance of Paul describing Jesus as the firstfruits (verses 20 and 23) in the context of the resurrection? Taking it to Heart 12. Take some time to reflect on the new life that Jesus brings. Just as Paul listed in verses 12-19 several things that would be lost if Christ has not risen, make your own list of what you would lose if Christ had not risen. 6. In verses 21-22, how does Paul contrast the impact of Adam and the impact of Christ? 13. Are there any areas of your life that you have been treating like surface problems, when God is calling you to an overhaul and all new life? 7. According to verse 23, who will benefit from the resurrection of Jesus? 14. How can you actively pursue the new life that God has brought through Jesus resurrection? 8. Verses 24 and 25 speak of the final victory of Jesus. Why is Jesus final victory important, not only for Him, but also for you? Notes 9. Verse 26 describes death as the last enemy. How should this description impact the way you think about your own death and the death of others? 10. What helpful clarification does Paul bring in verses 27-28? 9