Holy Week Class Outline: From the Triumphal Entry to the Resurrection

Song: “The Day the King Rode In” by Risen Tunes

 Day 1 — Palm Sunday: The Triumphal Entry

 Key Scriptures: 

Matthew 21:1–11 (NLT)

 1 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 

 2 “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. 

 3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”

 4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,

 5 “Tell the people of Jerusalem,[a]

    ‘Look, your King is coming to you.

He is humble, riding on a donkey—

    riding on a donkey’s colt.’”[b]

 6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.[c]

 8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 

9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God[d] for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!”[e]

 10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.

 11 And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

• Mark 11:1–11
• Luke 19:28–44
• John 12:12–19

Events:

• Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey.
• Crowds lay palm branches and garments in the road.
• People shout: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Prophecy Fulfilled: Zechariah 9:9

Zion’s Coming King

9 Rejoice, O people of Zion![a]

         Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!

Look, your king is coming to you.

          He is righteous and victorious,[b]

yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—

riding on a donkey’s colt.

 Key Teaching Points:

1. Jesus openly presents Himself as the Messiah.
2. The King comes in humility, not political power.
3. Many praise Him emotionally but will soon reject Him.

Message for Today:

• True worship must go beyond momentary excitement. 

• Many people praise Christ when convenient but abandon Him when obedience becomes costly.

 Application Question: Are we praising Jesus as King only when it benefits us?

Observation Questions:

1. Why did Jesus choose to enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey instead of a horse?
2. What did the palm branches symbolize in Jewish culture?
3. What were the crowds expecting Jesus to do as Messiah?

Reflection Questions:

1. Why do you think the same crowds praising Jesus later turned against Him?
2. How can emotional faith differ from committed faith?

Application Questions:

1. Are there ways we sometimes praise Jesus publicly but struggle to obey Him privately?
2. What does it truly mean to submit to Jesus as King of our lives?