MISSION GROUP QUESTIONS FROM ESTHER: THE PEOPLE’S PRINCESS SERIES - 05/07/09

Esther Chapter 3 & 4. Pip Hatch brought us up to speed on the story so far and then focused on Esther's defining moment: an opportunity to obey God and save the nation of Israel.

Esther’s response to the call of God through Mordecai is “I can’t do it”.  She immediately focuses on whether she has the strength and courage to face a King who will almost certainly kill her for approaching him unannounced.  Take a few moments to look back on the last few weeks to see if you can see where God might have been speaking.  What is your response to God if or when we feel him speaking or prompting you?  What is it in us that often stops us obeying him?

SUCH A TIME AS THIS!  Esther was reminded that her being Queen might just be in the plan of God for her life, that she was called to be Queen for “such a time as this”: to save a nation from destruction.  What do you think about your current situations?  Do you see them as being part of God’s plan?  Do you see them as opportunities to obey God in such a time as this?

Having responded to the call of God to speak to the king, to save Israel from destruction, Esther has a sudden change of heart and calls the nation to prayer and fasting.  Suddenly she sees, because she is reminded Mordecai by, that God is completely in control and will save the nation with or without her.  What was it that made Esther have a change of heart?  Given your current situations and opportunities, how does God equip you to take on all he has for you?

Spend some time in prayer for each other, specifically focusing on asking God to fill each other with His Holy Spirit to equip you for the situations and opportunities he has called you into.  Pray also for opportunities to obey God in the small things to see his “kingdom come, his will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”.