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THE KING OF PEACE

September 13 | Discipleship Guide

Be Real Together:

Take a few minutes to catch up, tell stories, and laugh together.
If you’re launching a new Group, trust and friendship take time to build. Take turns each week having someone share a bit of their story.

Read Together:  Matthew 21:1–11 CSB

Jesus enters Jerusalem as King, but not in the way the crowd expected. They were longing for a Messiah who would rescue Israel from Roman rule, yet Jesus comes humbly, riding on a donkey and fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah. The crowd rightly recognizes Jesus as King and cries out for salvation, but they don’t yet understand the kind of salvation He has come to bring. Jesus came not simply to defeat an earthly power, but to defeat sin, death, and the power of the kingdom of darkness.

The One Question:
If you only have time for one question, ask this one.

What would it look like for you to trust Jesus as King in an area of your life where you don’t understand what He is doing?

Grow Together:
Use these questions to go deeper with your Group or for personal reflection.

  1. What stands out to you most in this passage?
  2. What does this passage tell us about who God is?
  3. Why do you think the crowd expected Jesus to be a different kind of King? What were they hoping He would do?
  4. The crowd was right about who Jesus was, but “off on how He’d save.” Where do you think we can make a similar mistake—trusting who Jesus is but wanting Him to work in a particular way?
  5. Read Philippians 2:5–8. What does this passage tell us about Jesus? What does Jesus’ humility teach us about how we are called to use our own power, authority, or influence?
  6. Pastor Sean asked, “Are you running [your life] independently of Jesus…or are you surrendered to the One who holds all things, knows all things, and leads not by force, but by humility?” What is one area of your life where Jesus may be inviting you to trust His leadership more fully?

Pray Together:

  • Ask God to help you trust Jesus even when you don’t understand what He is doing.
  • Ask God to show you where you are trying to control your future or run your own “kingdom” independently of Him.
  • Ask Jesus to form His humility in you, so that you can use your strength and influence to serve rather than dominate.
  • Thank Jesus that He fought the battle against sin and death for us and ask Him to help you rest in Him as the King of Peace.

Next Steps:

  • Name your kingdom. Take inventory of the areas you have influence over—your time, relationships, finances, work, home, or responsibilities. Ask: Am I surrendering these to Jesus or trying to run them independently of Him?
  • Bring your actual self to Jesus. Spend time this week honestly telling Jesus where you are confused, frustrated, hopeful, or struggling to trust Him. You don’t have to have it all figured out to come to Him.
  • Choose humility. Identify one situation this week where you have an opportunity to use your influence to serve rather than control.
  • Remember the King. When you feel anxious about the future, remind yourself: Jesus holds all things, knows all things, and leads with humility. The peace your soul is longing for is found in the King of Peace.