Connect: At Lazarus’ death, Jesus was “deeply moved,” showing his indignation and anger towards death. How does this emotional distress reveal Jesus’ commitment to save us from sin and death?    

Warm-Up

1. Can you think of something or someone you really love, where being generous, sacrificial or even a bit ‘extravagant’ just felt natural?
2. Have you ever misunderstood someone at first, but later came to see who they really are more clearly?

Read John 12:1-11

3. What does Mary do? What is surprising about her actions? How does this honour Jesus? 
4. How did others (e.g., Judas) perceive her actions? 
5. Are you ever conscious of how others might perceive your devotion to Jesus? What aspects of Mary’s devotion might shape your own costly love of Jesus? 
6. What is Judas concerned about? What are the chief priests concerned about? How does this point to what they truly value? 
7. How does Jesus interpret Mary’s actions? How would the smell of her love and devotion linger with Jesus in the coming days?
8. Why is Jesus worthy of such costly devotion? 
9. What type of devotion towards Jesus are you tempted to baulk at? How would you like to grow in costly devotion towards Jesus? 

Read John 12:12-19

10. How is Jesus welcomed? What do their shouts mean?
11. How does Jesus enter the city? How was this different to the type of Messiah they were hoping for? 
12. What does the choice of donkey reveal about the type of King Jesus is? (Hint: read Zechariah 9:9-13)
13. How did the disciples react to Jesus’ entry? Why could they only understand after Jesus was glorified?
14. Why is it good news that Jesus comes as the triumphant king on God’s terms? How should that shape our expectations of Jesus as God’s King? How should this give us peace about God’s ultimate timing?
15. What sign has drawn the crowd to welcome Jesus? How does this sign point ahead to what will happen?
16. Read 12:31-32. What kind of death is Jesus going to face? What will be the result of it? 

Apply Who could you invite this Easter to hear about Jesus—the promised King who is worthy of our devotion, our praise, and our belief? 

‍

On Your Front Line this Week

Who can you invite along to celebrate Easter with you? 

For Families

• Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org

Listen, Watch, and Read

• Listen (sermon): “Following Christ” by Tim Keller:
  https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/following-christ/  
• Listen (sermon): “The Source of His Magnetism” by John Stott:
  https://www.allsouls.org/Media/AllMedia.aspx?show_media=51625&show_file=59097 
• Listen (sermon): “Extravagant Love: Mary’s Anointing of Jesus” by Mark Bates:
  https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/sermon/such-a-waste/ 
• Read (article): “Why is the significance of the triumphal entry?” by Got Questions:
  https://www.gotquestions.org/triumphal-entry.html 

Series Resources

• Read: “John: An Expositional Commentary” by R C Sproul.
• Read: “The Gospel According to John” by Don Carson. 
• Read: “The Message of John” by Bruce Milne. 📚
• Read: “The Gospel According to John” by Leon Morris.
• Read: “John for Everyone: Part 1” by Tom Wright. 📚
• Read: “Can We Trust the Gospels?” by Peter Williams. 📚
• Read: “Signs of the Messiah: An Introduction to John’s Gospel” by Andreas Köstenberger
• Watch: “John” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-john/  
• Previous Series from St Bart’s (including Children’s Resources):
  https://www.stbarts.com.au/sermon-series/jesus-is
  https://www.stbarts.com.au/sermon-series/i-am
  https://www.stbarts.com.au/sermon-series/truth-glory 

📚Available to borrow from the St Bart’s Library (Toowoomba): stbarts.com.au/library 

‍