Sunday 10 August
Is God at Work in Vegas? Esther. Tell the Truth
Laura Hewett
Laura walks us through Esther 2:19-3:15 highlighting insights from the text. She asks us to consider the questions: 'am I responsible with the information and influence I have?' and 'do I understand the impact of my words and actions?' Laura encourages us to be brave and to speak the truth in love, sharing responsibly with kindness and compassion towards those who are impacted by our words.
Life Group questions
Is God at Work in Vegas? Esther. Tell the Truth
“Is God at Work in Vegas?” Esther. Part 2: People of Influence
Read Esther 2:19 – 3:15
- What stands out to you?
- What observations or questions do you have about the text?
- What might this mean for us?
Watch – Right Now Media: The book of Esther – Danielle Brown session two
Discuss
Being in the position of the king owing you a favour was a pretty big deal. However Mordecai doesn’t seem to press his claim at all.
- Why might this be?
- How do you think Mordecai felt after letting this opportunity pass by, and then seeing Haman, from a people group who were ancestral enemies, getting promoted instead?
- How have you dealt with being passed over, or having someone promoted over you? What choices did you have to make?
Mordecai chooses civil disobedience – refusing to bow down to Haman, even though the king commanded it. He seems to be just as disinterested in the king’s displeasure as in his favour.
- What might be allowing Mordecai to be free of fear and of people-pleasing?
- Why do you think Mordecai is so open about his people, when he advises Esther to hide it?
- What would help you be more open about your faith, or your struggles, or whatever it is that tends to stay under the radar?
Haman sets in motion a grand plan to take revenge for an ancient grudge by committing genocide. (See 1 Samuel 15 where Saul is sent to destroy the Amalekites 500 years previously – Mordecai is a descendent of Saul, Haman a descendent of Agag.)
- Have you ever been part of a long-running inter-family dispute?
- Did you have an opportunity to hear the other side and gain some insight?
- What does the Bible say about revenge?
- What are some of the subtle ways that we might be tempted to get back at people?
- What does true forgiveness look like?
Pray: for the freedom of living for God’s approval, trusting in His provision, and forgiving as He has forgiven us.
Practise: if you struggle with forgiveness, take some time each day to pray for the person you need to forgive, for God to bless them, and ask God’s help for you to let the offense go. (Note this doesn’t mean that what happened was OK or that your pain doesn’t matter, and it doesn’t mean going back into relationship with someone who is untrustworthy – simply that you choose to forgive and release the person from your vengeance).