If Not Us. Who? Week 1 - January 10, 2021 Esther 1 GETTING TO KNOW YOU 1. Did you make any New Year Resolutions? If so, what were they? 2. What is the best relationship advice you have received? 3. Charles Spurgeon said, “When you go through a trial, the sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which you lay your head”. Thoughts? Agree? Disagree? 4. Tim Keller said, “Men, you’ll never be a good groom to your wife unless you’re first a good bride to Jesus”. Thoughts? Agree? Disagree? 5. Looking back at your notes from this week’s sermon, was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged or confused you? DIGGING DEEPER 1. What is the background for the book of Esther? Where do the events of the book take place? When does it take place? Who are the key characters? Who is the author? What is going on during this time for the Nation of Israel/Jewish people? • What is your take on God not being mentioned one time in the book? What is your understanding of the purpose for the book? What is the overarching theme? 2. What does the opening scene tell us about Ahasuerus (Xerxes)? Why is the banquet being held? Who is the banquet for? What is taking place at the banquet? Who is the focus on? Is Ahasuerus really the one in charge? What do we know about Xerxes? • What are the dangers of thinking that we are center of the universe? Who is the only one worthy of receiving glory? How do we avoid self-centered pride? What is one way you can bring glory to God this week? 3. What happens on the last day of the banquet? Why does Ahasuerus want Vashti to come? What does this reveal about his view of Vashti? How were women viewed at this time? What is Vashti’s response to the request? How does this create problems in the palace? As a result of Vashti’s refusal to come, what happens? What is the reasoning for it? What counsel does the king receive? What does this say about the king and his advisors? • If you were Ahasuerus, how would you have handled the situation? If you were Vashti, how would you have responded? If you were one of the advisors, what would have been your counsel? 4. How is this relational dynamic the antithesis of what love is? What does 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 say? Is any of this on display in Ahasuerus and Vashti’s relationship? What does Ephesians 5:22-33 say? What are the differences between God’s design for marriage and how this marriage plays out? What can we learn from this unfortunate example? • Does your marriage or relationships look more like Ahasuerus and Vashti’s or what scripture calls us to? What are you doing to keep Christ at the center of your marriage/relationships? How often do you allow your flesh or sinful nature to determine your response/s? If we do, what are the consequences or results? If your relationships are not what they should be, how can you allow God to begin the process of redeeming and reconciling them? What is something you can do this week to strengthen your marriage/relationships? 5. What does Acts 17:24-26 say? Who is sovereign/providential? Who is the one that has established the times, boundaries, and locations of all people? How is God sovereign over the events that happen in Esther 1? • What is your understanding of the providence of God? Does your actions and life reflect that God is sovereign? Explain. GROWING CLOSER 1. Who is someone you shared the gospel with this week? 2. What have you been reading in your quiet times? 3. What has God been teaching you?
Enter the password to open this PDF file:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-