3-29-2026: Songs of Loudest Praise

Sermon Title: Songs of Loudest Praise 

Scripture Reading: John 12:12-19; Hebrews 11:1-2, 8; 1 Peter 1:8-9 

Sermon Focus: Palm Sunday is filled with both awe and confusion—the crowds rightly celebrate Jesus as the Son of David yet misunderstand the kind of king and Messiah he has come to be for us. The disciples stand in the tension, hearing the shouts of victory while remembering Jesus’ words about suffering, sacrifice, and the cross. In the sixth message of our series, Pastor David helps us to imagine what Peter and the disciples might have been thinking, and then he invites us to praise Jesus in the tension. 

Thank you for going deeper in conversation with your small group. Use the following questions to help guide your small group discussion:  

1. Begin by reading John 12:12-19 to yourself silently, giving everyone a few minutes to read and reflect. After that, have someone read the passage aloud. How does this story encourage you? Also, how does it challenge you? 

2. What do you think the crowds expected Jesus to do on Palm Sunday—and how was Jesus different from those expectations? Also, what expectations do people today often have about Jesus that may not align with who he actually is? 

3. The disciples had heard Jesus predict his suffering, yet they were surrounded by celebration and excitement. Have you ever experienced a time when what God was doing didn’t match what you expected? How did you respond? 

4. Why do you think it’s so difficult for us to embrace a Messiah who works through humility, suffering, and sacrifice instead of power and control? 

5. Have someone read 1 Peter 1:8-9 aloud. Peter writes this later in his life. Notice, Peter has learned that faith requires the embrace of mystery and believing even though we don’t see all that we want to see, particularly Jesus himself. How do these words of Peter both challenge and encourage you in your life? 

6. Response Question: How am I experiencing both confusion and awe?   As you follow Jesus and are learning to trust him, how, like Peter, have you experienced the tension of both mystery and confusion, as well as awe and wonder? Are you going through that right now in some way?  

7. LIFE ON MISSION QUESTION: What might it look like for you to trust and follow Jesus this week—even in areas where you don’t fully understand what he is doing? How is the Lord inviting you to live this way openly and honestly before your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc.? 

After your discussion, close your time in prayer for one another.