MISSION GROUP QUESTIONS FROM ESTHER: THE PEOPLE’S PRINCESS SERIES - 19/7/09

On Sunday we looked at Esther 9.20-28 and the festival of Purim, which is the reason the whole letter was written. It was the inauguration of a festival 2500 years ago, celebrating the reversal of destiny of the Jewish people - from death to life. There were three points that we drew out from the passage

(1) God is always working, even when we can’t see him. Where in your life have you stopped believing that God is working? Why do you think he is not working? How can the book of Esther encourage you that no matter what your circumstances or pressures - “IN ALL THINGS, God is working for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8.28).

(2) God saves us from the edict of death. Not only were the Jewish people saved from death but we are saved from death because Jesus (a Jew) died and rose again and conquered death. How do you view death? Are you fearful or do you really believe that Jesus rose again and can give you eternal life (see John 11.25 & Revelation 1.17-18). How does knowing that death is defeated change the way you live? (see also previous blog entry on Philippians 1.21 - part 2)

(3) God gives us a reason to celebrate and be generous. Purim was a spontaneous festival, it was not commanded by Moses, “the Jews took it upon themselves” (9.28) to celebrate it and they did so by feasting, giving presents of food to each other and gifts to the poor. This is the mark of true Christianity, it is a spontaneous and joyful response to the saving work of God which expresses its self in (1) a community of celebration and (2) a community that cares for the poor. How can you in your Mission Group (1) celebrate together and care for each other and (2) care for the poor?