Sunday 17 August
Is God in Vegas? Esther. For Such a Time as This.
Tom Gilpin
Tom walks us through Esther chapter 4 drawing on the example of Mordecai and Esther interceding and acting on behalf of others in order potentially save their lives. Tom challenges us to wrestle in heartfelt prayer for those in our city who don't know Jesus yet. Like Esther we too are in Christchurch for 'such a time as this.'
Life Group questions
Is God in Vegas? Esther. For Such a Time as This.
“Is God At Work in Vegas?” Esther Part 3. For Such a Time as This
Read Esther 4
- 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 three
Discuss
Mordecai’s attitude changes rapidly when the threat moves from his own life to the lives of all the Jews.
- How might we navigate making faith decisions and setting boundaries around our faith differently when this has consequences for others because of our decisions?
The king’s court was off limits for people who were mourning or in distress.
- How do we make room in our lives for the pain and difficulties of others?
- What might we need to do so that we can keep ourselves healthy in the midst of this?
Mordecai and Esther were unable to communicate directly, so Hathak had to act as a go between.
- What are the benefits and disadvantages of communicating through someone else?
- If you end up being that person, what care do you need to take, and how can you move toward helping people communicate directly?
- What is important to you about being able to communicate directly with God whenever we want?
Mordecai and Esther’s exchange in v.9-16 lays out the tension between likely consequences and possible salvation – taking a risk and trusting that God will come through.
- When have you had to take a chance on God like this?
- What did you learn?
- What might happen, positively or negatively, if you took the chance to share your faith with the people you are regularly with, “for such a time as this”?
Pray for courage and wisdom in the relationships that God has placed you in.
Practise: be conspicuously spiritual in your interactions with others – let people know that you attend church, that you pray (including for them), that you are growing and learning from God and others – in short, straightforward and non-judgmental comments that are in context of your existing conversations.
Past talks