Esther

Week One Recap

June 22, 2024 • Pastor Holly Smith • Esther 5—10

No audio devotional today! Use this weekend to review what you've learned or catch up on your preliminary work for the book of Esther. Take time to prepare your heart. Set yourself up for Bible study this week. Keep your Bible, notebook, pen, and any other items you use in one place where you can find them easily. Join the Esther Devotional Group in the Hope City RI app! Whether you're keeping up with a lesson each day or are taking your time with it, it's a great spot to share what you're learning and encourage others as they're studying this book. Study with excitement and expectation, knowing that as you open the Word you are meeting with the God who created this world. There is nothing better than that gift! Journal prompt: 1. What did you learn about studying the Bible from this initial week of laying the foundation for the book of Esther? _____ MEMORY VERSE: PSALM 103:19 "The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all."

Unearthing Clues, Part 2

June 21, 2024 • Pastor Holly Smith • Esther 5—10

No audio devotional today! Today you'll continue your initial read-through of the book of Esther. This should take about 20-30 minutes. Read Esther 5 - 10 and write your initial notes, observations, and questions in your notebook. _____ MEMORY VERSE: PSALMS 103:19 "The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all."

Unearthing Clues, Part 1

June 20, 2024 • Pastor Holly Smith • Esther 1—4

Today we're walking through our contextual overview of the book of Esther and starting to read and take notes on the book. Be sure to have your Bible, a pen, and notebook as you sit down to listen to this session. Read Esther 1 - 4, Write any notes, observations, or questions that come to mind. _____ MEMORY VERSE: PSALMS 103:19 "The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all."

Laying the foundation

June 19, 2024 • Pastor Holly Smith • Esther

We're laying the foundation for reading the book of Esther by understanding it's historical and biblical context. Be sure to have your Bible, a pen, and paper as you sit down to listen to this session. Here are the questions to answer in your outline of Esther: 1. Who's believed to have written the book of Esther? 2. Around what time period was this book written? 3. What's the literary genre of this book – historical narrative, law, wisdom, poetry, prophecy, gospel, epistle (letter), or apocalyptic? 4. What was happening during this time period? 5. What's the overarching message of this book of the Bible? How does this book fit into the entire story of the Bible? And here are the other journaling prompts: 1. What did you learn about the book of Esther in your preliminary work? 2. What fears or hindrances often keep you from studying the Word of God? _____ MEMORY VERSE: PSALMS 103:19 "The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all."

Why Study Esther, Part 2

June 18, 2024 • Pastor Holly Smith • John 5:39, Psalm 33:11, Psalm 103:19, Proverbs 16:9, Esther

The providence of God is a critical theme that appears in the book of Esther. As we study this book with Jesus at the center of our understanding of it, it's important to pause and understand what providence means. Be sure to have your Bible, a pen, and paper as you sit down to listen to this session. Here are the journaling prompts: 1. In what circumstances or season of life did you truly grasp the glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ? How did this understanding and revelation radically alter your life? 2. Look up the word "providence" in the dictionary and write down its definition. 3. Read the following verses and write down what you learn about the providence of God. Psalm 33:11; Psalm 1013:19; Proverbs 16:9, 33; Proverbs 21:1; Jeremiah 23:23-24; Matthew 10:29-31; Romans 8:28 4. Look back at the dictionary definition of God's providence, the corresponding verses, and what you've heard from the Heidelberg Catechism. Write down a definition of God's providence in your own words. 5. What would your life look like if you saw everything you walk through as being upheld by His hand? _____ MEMORY VERSE: PSALMS 103:19 "The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all."

Why Study Esther Part 1

June 17, 2024 • Pastor Holly Smith • Esther, 2 Timothy 3:16–17, 1 Corinthians 15:9–11, Psalm 119:73–74, Psalm 103:19

The book of Esther is more than a book about a woman written for women. It has some really powerful teachings in it that are important within the full context of the Bible. In this session, we're encouraged to put aside our preconceived ideas about the book of Esther and reflect on how much of our own lives intersect with this book – every twist and turn, zig and zag, mountain and valley is part of God working out a plan of redemption. Be sure to have your Bible, a pen, and paper as you sit down to listen to this session. Here are the journaling prompts: 1. When have you felt as if your life was crumbling? Was this season due to sinful rebellion, a spiritual stronghold, or unexpected suffering? 2. Read Paul's testimony in 1 Corinthians 15:9-11. God tears down lies in order to rebuild truth. Think back on those seasons you mentioned, the times when it felt like your life was crumbling, and write down what you learned about God. In hindsight, how did He reverse your bad situations and decisions for good? 3. Have you ever studied the book of Esther? If you answered yes, what previous thoughts on this book of the Bible are you carrying into your study? 4. Read Psalm 119:73-74 and write out these verses in the space below. 5. Write a prayer of surrender, expectation, and praise to the Lord today that you can refer back to as you continue studying the book of Esther. _____ MEMORY VERSE: PSALMS 103:19 "The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all."

Introduction

June 17, 2024 • Pastor Holly Smith • Esther

We're kicking off a summer study on the book of Esther! This introduction talks a bit about the theme that underlies the book and lays the foundation for the study. While you won't need it for this introduction, you will want to have your Bible, a notebook, and pen nearby for the rest of this Bible study.

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