Group Notes | July 12

Best Supporting Actor
July 12, 2015
Matt Willmington

Open:

We are all moved when we read stories of heroes who do something that benefits the life of one or more people, many times not knowing those involved. Have you ever had an experience of being able to rescue someone who was in peril?

As we continue the series “Best Supporting Actor,” today we will focus on someone who was used by God to save her people from being annihilated. Most people are even unaware of her given name, “Haddaseh,” but God has recorded Esther’s story for us.

Discuss:

Graciousness:

1. Read Esther 2:7, 8 to get a clear picture of Esther’s circumstances. List some of the obstacles she had had in her life. Can you relate?

2. Read 2:9. Esther had no control over her life, yet she evidenced what quality? Can you share how you normally react when you lose control of your circumstances?
Submission:

3. Can someone give a short synopsis of Esther’s story as it unfolds, as Mordecai explains to her what is going to happen to the Jews?

4. Will someone share if you have ever been asked to do something that could help someone else, but at a risk to your own well-being?
Sacrifice:

5. Read 4:16. What is Esther’s response to Mordecai’s instructions?

6. How much would you sacrifice to do God’s will? Think about the suffering church around the world for a moment.
Burden:

7. Read Esther 8:3. What was her burden? Can you honestly say you have a burden for anyone in your “world”?
Dependence:

8. What else was Esther willing to do? What other word is almost always coupled with fasting? Upon whom was Esther depending?

9. How did God honor her godly character? Will He not honor you as well when you evidence these traits?

Close:

Esther’s life provides a true role model for you as you go about your daily life. As you break into small groups think deeply about her qualities. Discuss which one is strongest in your life. Which one(s) do you need to beseech God to help you intensify? Continually pray that God will find you a vessel fit and able to do His work to bring someone in your world (family, neighborhood, community) to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ before it is too late. Never forget that even though you don’t see Him with physical eyes, His hand is always upon you.

Memory Verse: Esther 4:14b: “Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (NKJV)