Esther
Esther Chapter 9 & 10
March 12, 2019 • Paula Thorp
1. We should celebrate and remember Jesus for marking our lives for His purpose. Reflect back and think about times when God did this in your life and take a minute to write them down or discuss them with someone. 2. How can we pass our spritual hertiage down to our children or those around us? 3. In what ways has God shown you that "His Promise Stands?" How has He been faithful to you? 4. What has God taught you during this study on Esther?
Esther Chapter 8
March 5, 2019 • Tracey Helms
1. Do you see the hand of God working in your life? How? 2. Is your faith growing? If not what are steps that you can take to help with that? 3. What does it mean to you to have Jesus as your mediator to God? (1Ti 2:5) Why is this important? 4. Esther had compassion for her people, even to the point of death. Do we have that kind of compassion for people? Give examples. 5. Can you share in a time you have received joy from the Lord? (May be part of your testimony.) (Psa 92:4)
Esther Chapter 7
February 26, 2019 • Erin Morris
1. Why is wisdom important to our lives? (Proverbs 3:13-18; 4:6-13; 8:34-36) 2. What does it look like to act/speak with wisdom instead of foolishness? In what ways do you struggle with this? 3. How do we get wisdom? (James 1:5; Proverbs 9:10; 4. Haman reaped the “gallows” he had prepared for Mordecai. What are some of the “gallows” we have built in our own lives that we may end up reaping from? (bitterness, anger, unforgiveness, etc.) How do we negatively reap from those things we sow? 5. What does the Bible say about taking our own revenge? Why is it difficult to leave things to God’s justice and not take them into our own hands?
Esther Chapter 6
February 19, 2019 • Paula Thorp
1. How was the hand of God working as the king could not sleep? What were the results? 2. What is the source of stress and anxiety in your life? Do you forget that our mighty God never sleeps? This truth should bring us peace and comfort. 3. Have you ever been overlooked for something you have done? How did you feel? How did you handle it? 4. When we are overlooked or not rewarded for our service, how can we keep our ego in check and continue to do fulfill our role and be who we’re called to be? (See Philippians 2:3-4) 5. Do you seen the praise or man or the praise of God? Pride is a real struggle; do you crave or seek honor? What is the result of allowing pride to grow unchecked? (Proverbs 16:19, James 4:6) What is the result of pursuing humility? (Proverbs 22:4, Proverbs 25:9, James 4:10)
Esther Chapter 5
February 12, 2019 • Ashley Brennan
1. God is never mentioned by name is this story, however, He is definitely present on each page. Where have you especially seen Him and His character so far? 2. Do we see the places God has placed us, the difficult places particularly, as an opportunity? The difficult rooms we walk into...? What gets in the way of us seeing the bigger picture? Anger, resentment, bitterness, malice unforgiveness? 3. Do we boldly come on behalf of the deliverance of others? How can more bravely and boldly come into the thrown room? Do we have those in mind we would come on behalf of? 4. Proverbs 31:26 says she opens her mouth with wisdom and the teachings of kindness is in her tongue. What does wisdom and discernment mean to you and how can we use it? What has His Word said to you about it in the past? 5. Are there areas we may be building our own small towers?
Esther Chapter 4
February 5, 2019 • Erin Morris
Questions for Reflection 1. How did Mordecai react in the face of certain death? How de we react when disaster threatens our lives? 2. What can we do to strengthen our faith so that when trouble comes we can stand in faith, like Mordecai? 3. What is an intermediary? (A person who acts as a link between people to bring reconciliation; mediator) Are you willing to identify yourself with the people of God and be an intermediary/ambassador for Christ to those around you? (2 Cor 5:18-20) 4. If we are called to be intermediaries, what things should we do to reach those around us for Christ? Do do this? 5. In what ways is it hard to be a witness for Christ? How can we be more effective “intermediaries” for the cause of Christ? (Gal 1:10)
Esther Chapter 3
January 22, 2019 • Erin Morris
Questions for Reflection 1. What does it mean to “conform to something?” (Fashion oneself according to something) 2. In what ways are we “conformed” to this world instead of to the standards of the Bible? Can you think of a time you conformed to the world’s standard? What motivated you to do that? 3. How can we fight against our flesh and instead be conformed to Biblical standards? 4. How is it possible to be angry and not sin? When we begin to feel anger well up inside of us, what should we do so we handle it Biblically? 5. How is our culture’s idea of using influence different from what the Bible describes? If God has given us influence, what should we do with it? How should we act? (Phil 2:3-4; Matt 20:28; John 13: 14-15)
Esther Chapter 2
January 15, 2019 • Elizabeth Quinn
Questions for Reflection 1. What do you think makes obedience so important to the Lord in regard to His children? (1Sam. 15:22-23, 2 John 1:4-6) 2. What do you think you “have to loose”, ( reputation, status, friendships) that keeps you from full surrender to God’s plan for your life? 3. Do you see how difficult and painful things, the weaknesses and struggles, the trials and adversities, are all things the Lord is using to shape and mold you into a fit vessel for His glory? (1 Cor. 1:26-31) 4. What heart attitudes should we cultivate to fulfill Phil. 2:15 and be like our long ago sister of faith, Queen Esther?