Palm Sunday, “Recognizing Jesus for Who He Really Is”
The following content can be used as a guide for TFH Groups.
You don’t have to follow the guide like a script! Use discernment from the Holy Spirit as you lead your group discussion. If you notice that someone in your group needs additional care or support that’s beyond your capacity, please let a pastor know.
ICEBREAKER QUESTION OPTION:
What’s a recent win you’re proud of?
SERIES: TFH Easter 2026
TITLE: Beyond the Palms: Recognizing Jesus for Who He Really Is
SPEAKER: Pastor CJ Cody
Scriptures—
Luke 19:11; Luke 19:37–44; Luke 19
Summary—
Pastor CJ’s Palm Sunday reflection moves beyond the joyful crowds to a sobering truth: while people were cheering, Jesus was weeping. In Luke 19, the crowd praised Him for who they wanted—a political liberator—rather than who He truly was: a Savior calling for surrender and transformation. Pastor CJ challenges us to examine whether we’re following our expectations of God or truly submitting to His will. Jesus didn’t come to fulfill our desires, but to call us to repentance and new life—inviting us to lay down our expectations and follow the real Him.
Key Takeaways—
Prayer is a powerful but often underused tool available to every believer.
The Palm Sunday crowds praised Jesus with false expectations, not understanding His true mission.
Jesus wept because they failed to recognize who He really was and why He came.
True praise should come from revelation of Jesus, not our preferences or expectations.
God may not give us what we want, but He always provides what we need.
Following Jesus requires surrender—dying to self, taking up our cross, and allowing Him to transform our hearts.
Discussion Questions—
How can we tell if we’re praising Jesus for who He truly is versus what we want Him to do for us?
What does it mean that Jesus wept while the crowds cheered, and how does that reshape our view of worship?
In what areas might we be prioritizing our expectations over God’s will?
Why do many believers have access to prayer’s power but rarely use it consistently?
How can spiritual blindness cause us to miss what God is doing in our lives?
What is God asking us to surrender, and why is it so difficult to let it go?
Practical Application—
Commit to prayer – Attend the Sunday prayer time or set aside 15–30 minutes daily to bring your needs to God.
Practice surrender – Write down your expectations, then pray “Not my will, but Yours,” and share with someone for accountability.
Do a spiritual inventory – Reflect on where your view of Jesus may be shaped by your preferences, ask God to reveal blind spots, and surrender one area this week.
Closing Prayer—
Close your session by praying together as a group. Invite everyone to share one specific prayer request,
“Father God, we thank You for the sacrifice of Jesus and the love You’ve shown us through Him. Forgive us for the times we’ve held onto our own expectations instead of surrendering to Your will. Open our eyes to see the real Jesus and not the version we’ve created. Help us to follow You fully, not just when it’s easy, but in every moment. Give us the strength to lay down our desires, to trust Your plan, and to take the next steps in surrender. Shape our hearts, guide our lives, and keep us aligned with Your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
