4-13-25 Liturgy

Main Theme:  Heavenly wisdom demonstrates humility.

Opening
Goal: Focus our attention on Jesus and be open to what He wants to do & say in our gathering.

Suggested Practice:
Explain to your Small Church that today is Palm Sunday, a celebration of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The events that will take place in Jerusalem will change the course of history! Read John 12:12-16 aloud and take a moment to thank God for the life and work of Jesus Christ.

Worship
Goal: Make Jesus central in our gathering. This could be done through songs, prayerful scripture reading, communion, etc.

Suggested Practice:
Choose 2 songs to sing together (or listen to) that celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

Possible Options:

• Holy Forever (YouTube)
• Hosanna (YouTube)
• Here for you (YouTube)

____[Dismiss the Kids/Youth]____

Sharing
Goal: To know each other's stories.

Suggested Practice A:
Select one person to answer the following question:

• When was a time where you demonstrated humility and a lack of pride in a challenging situation? What impact did it have on you? How has it changed you?

Suggested Practice B:
Select one person to answer the following question:

• When was a time where you witnessed a friend or family member demonstrate humility and a lack of pride in a challenging situation? What impact did it have on them? How has it changed them?

Suggested Practice C:
Break into groups of 3 people. Answer the following questions:

• What are you thankful for this week?
• What has stressed you out this week?

Give the groups 10 minutes to answer the question. Encourage everyone to share.

Discussion
Goal: Learn how to follow Jesus in everyday life.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the difference between a heavenly wisdom and a worldly wisdom.
• Explain why Christians should avoid worldly wisdom and embrace heavenly wisdom.
• Describe how to cultivate a heavenly wisdom.

Suggested Practice A:
Possible Questions:

1. Who in your life do you consider to be wise? Why?
2. Our access to information and knowledge is greater than ever. Do you think we are wiser than ever before? Why/why not?
3. What is the biggest difference between heavenly wisdom and worldly wisdom?
4. Humility (meekness) was not a desirable virtue in the 1st century. It was seen as a lack of courage or strength, even a weakness. Is humility a desirable virtue in the 21st century? Why/why not?
5. In 3:14-16, James describes worldly wisdom. Why should Christians avoid this kind of wisdom?
6. In 3:17-18, James describes heavenly wisdom. Why should Christians embrace this kind of wisdom?
7. How do we cultivate heavenly wisdom?

Suggested Practice B:
Read James 3:13-18 together. What do you notice? What questions do these words provoke? What does this passage reveal about being a follower of Jesus?

____[Kids/Youth Rejoin Adults]____

Prayer
Goal: Respond appropriately to what Jesus is doing & saying in our gathering.

Suggested Practice A:
Break into groups of 3 people and identify an issue or specific situation that needs a wisdom from heaven. Spend 5 minutes or so praying for God to humble all those involved and give them His wisdom.

Suggested Practice B:
Choose one person in your Small Church to sit on a chair in the middle of the group. Ask the person if they have any specific prayer requests for their own life, the lives of their family/friends or an area of concern. Take 5 minutes or so to surround this person and pray into the areas identified.

Communion
Goal: Remember Jesus' death and resurrection. Receive strength & joy that He is with us. Renew our hope for Jesus' return and the restoration of creation.

Suggested Practice:

• Distribute bread and juice.
• Read Luke 22:19-20.
• Read the following statement…“the body of Christ has been given, broken for us and the entire world. This bread reminds us that He paid a debt that He did not owe so that we wouldn’t have to pay a debt that we did owe”.
• Eat the bread.
• Read the following statement…“The blood of Christ has been poured out, shed for us and the entire world. This juice reminds us that we have a permanent and unbreakable relationship with Him and that death has no power over us and no power over creation”.
• Drink the juice.

Blessing
Goal: Focus our attention on Jesus and consider what He wants to do & say this coming week.

Suggested Practice:
Read James 1:5 aloud and pray that God would give His wisdom to all those in your Small Church this week.