MESSAGE: The Mule Date: 10/5/2025
COMMUNICATOR: Pastor Jeremy Johnson
CHECK-IN & SHARE WINS: What was one highlight from your week? Where have you seen Jesus at work—in your life or in the world around you? Celebrating wins helps fuel God’s mission and inspire others to join in.
WORDS THAT IGNITE: Hossana
- “Hosanna” (Greek: ὡσαννά, hōsanná) is a heartfelt plea for salvation, literally meaning “save, please” or “save now,” expressing both adoration for God and a cry for His deliverance.
- It captures the crowd’s recognition of Jesus as the Messiah and their call for salvation, highlighting both praise and surrender.
- How will you put this word into action and let it ignite your life this week?
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THINK, DISCUSS, LIVE: These questions are great for personal reflection, group discussion, or both. They’re meant to help you grow in your faith, deepen your connection with your Jesus friends, and live it out in the world around you.
- What’s your favorite animal you’ve seen—whether in the wild, at a zoo, or had as a pet? What makes it so unique or special to you?
- The prayer of those wanting to follow Jesus is “God, use me!” but the complaint of those following Him is often “God, I feel used!”—why do you think this tension exists in the church and at times in our walk with Jesus?
- Read Mark 11:1–9. Jesus sends two disciples to do something that may have seemed small or strange (untie a colt). What does this teach us about obedience in the “little things”? Share an example of this from your own life.
- What was the significance of Jesus riding in on a donkey colt? How have you seen God use something ordinary in a big way? How does that encourage you about your own usefulness to God?
- The crowd shouted “Hosanna!” but a week later many turned against Jesus. What does this reveal about the difference between excitement about Jesus and commitment to Jesus? How have you noticed the difference in your faith journey?
- In verse 9, the crowd shouts, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” As His followers, we too are sent in His name—representing Him to the world as His voice, His hands, and His deeply loved children. How does that truth give you confidence to live, be used by and lead more like Jesus?
- Arrogance is thinking too much of my role in the story, while insecurity is thinking too little of His. Which do you relate to more, and what’s a real-life example of that for you?
- God can use us despite our location, limitations, and lack. Which of those three feels most real to you right now, and how might God want to show His power through it? What is one example?
- What does it practically look like to “carry Jesus into your community” today? Name one specific way you could do this in the coming week?
- Looking back, the colt’s only job was to carry Jesus. How freeing to know our role isn’t to be the hero—but to lift up Christ and carry Him into every situation. How can you lift Him up this week? And who in your life needs you to help carry or lift them to Him?
TAKING NEW GROUND: This week, look for simple ways to lift up Jesus—at home, at work, at school, or in your community. Here are a few ideas:
Choose a word to focus on this week, like praise, salvation, support, carry, or serve.
Listen to worship music and let it sink deep into your heart, shaping your perspective.
Ask yourself: Who can I support or lift up in Jesus’ name this week?
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PRAYER OPTIONS:
- 1 & 1: One thing to celebrate, one thing to bring to God.
- Praise Sentences: Short prayers thanking God, then pray for shared needs.
- Prayer Clusters: Groups of 2–3, share requests, pray together, and encourage each other during the week.
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NEED TO READ MORE BIBLE?
- Read through the New Testament in one year – 1 chapter a day, 5 days a week, plus a bonus passage.
- Find it on the Canvas Church app (“Bible Reading Plan”). Listening option available.
- Read it. Think about it. Live it out.
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CANVAS + Looking for some great content to help you grow in your faith?
Check out Canvas Plus, a totally FREE content streaming platform found exclusively in the Canvas App.
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