Step 1: Opening and Introduction to the lesson – Personal Testimonies from last week’s study and Reflection: What do you like best about parades? What do you like least? Are you more likely to panic in the big crises or the little ones?
Step 2: Hear – Read: Triumphal Entry, Jesus Predicts His Death: John 12:12 thru 12:36.
Step 3: Explore – Discover the Passage
- What previous stories stand in contrast to the unity and enthusiasm the people are expressing here? How could you tie in their hope that Jesus will do at this Passover what God did at the first Passover? Why a lowly donkey for Jesus (see Zec 9;9)?
- What do you think the crowds, the disciples and the Jewish leaders must be feeling now? One week later? Had you been there, what would you be feeling: Fanaticism, fickleness, faith or fear? Why?
- What brings Gentiles to Jerusalem during a time of a Jewish feast? What was so unique about their request that Philip would first filter it through Andrew?
- Jesus said several times that his time had not come (2:4; 7:6, 30). What regarding this request caused him to say that now it has come? In Jesus’ parable (v. 24), who is the kernel of wheat? How is this related to the Gentiles’ request?
- What is he calling his disciples to do in vv25, 26? What promise do they receive? In vv. 27-32, what is about to occur now? How does this affect Jesus? Why did the crowd deny the reality of Jesus’ future death (vv. 32-34)?
Step 4: Connect – Apply the Passage:
- What convinced you that Jesus is your King? What is the best thing you’ve seen about the type of King he is? Is your worship life like a hero’s victory or a funeral dirge? Why?
- In what area of your life are you in denial? Where is Jesus calling you to die so that you might live? What do you tend to hold on to rather than follow Jesus?
- Do you feel like you are walking in the dark, the light, or in some shadowland right now? Why?
Step 5: Reflect: Put your trust in the light … so that you may become sons of light.
