OPEN
If new people have joined your group, take time to introduce yourselves to each other.
1. What’s one of the most important decisions you made this year? What was the outcome?
2. When have you had to trust God without knowing how something would turn out?

PRAY
Father, we invite You to lead our conversation today. Give us wisdom and understanding as we read Scripture. Help us see what You want us to see and hear what You want to speak into our lives. Give us humble hearts that are willing to learn, grow and even be challenged. Help us to be honest with You and with each other. Give us the grace to listen well, to speak with kindness, and to make this a place where people feel safe to share their questions, struggles and experiences. Protect the unity of this group. When we see things differently, help us respond with patience, humility and love.

Most of all, don’t let this simply be a time where we gain more information. Use Your Word to shape us and change us. Show each of us how You are inviting us to respond, and give us the courage to live out what You teach us.

We surrender this time to You and trust You with whatever You want to accomplish in us.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

THE BIG IDEA
Like many women today, Esther lived in a culture that sent the message that a woman’s value was tied to how she looked and her ability to please others. But Esther’s story wakes us up to a much greater biblical truth: God values His daughters, calls them to courage, and uses them in powerful ways to build his kingdom. It teaches us to trust that God is working even when we can’t see or make sense of what He’s doing. That kind of trust requires hope—a confidence that God is still at work redeeming what is broken and overcoming evil.

For an additional overview of Esther, visit bibleproject.com/videos/esther or scan this QR code.

1. Esther lived in a culture where much of her value was tied to her appearance. What does our culture say makes a person valuable?

2. How can someone learn to see themselves through God’s eyes rather than the world’s standards?

3. Esther eventually had to decide whether she would live primarily for her own security or for something bigger than herself. What helps us move from self-preservation to a sense of God-given purpose? Do you have an example from your own life?

4. Esther reached a point where she essentially said, I will do what I must, even though I cannot control what happens next. When have you acted with such courage?

5. Esther temporarily lost sight of the bigger mission because of the danger involved. What causes you to lose focus on the mission God has given you?

6. Who has God placed in your life that you have an opportunity to influence? What can you do to help turn their attention toward God?

7. Mordecai challenged Esther to consider that perhaps she had been placed where she was for such a time as this (Esther 4:14). Where might you be underestimating the significance of where God has placed you?

8. What might change if you really believed that where you are right now is not accidental?

9. Esther could control her decision, but she could not control the king's response. How can you tell the difference between what God is asking you to do and what He’s asking you to release to Him?

10. How has trying to control outcomes affected your relationship with God?

11. Esther's story contains circumstances that initially looked random but later became significant. Have you ever looked back and realized God was doing something you couldn't see at the time?

12. How can we remain faithful when we cannot yet see evidence that God is working?

DEEPER STUDY
Because Esther is 10 chapters, here are some additional questions to dive a bit deeper into the story.

1. Who are the primary characters in the book of Esther, and what role did they have?

2. Each of these characters had opportunities to influence the lives of others. What can we learn from the different ways they used—or misused—their influence?

3. According to the Persian culture, what did Esther have to offer?

4. How did Esther embrace her culture’s view of her? How did it hurt her?

5. Contrast Esther before and after she learned of Haman’s edict to exterminate the Jewish people. What do you learn from this?

6. What made this bold transformation in Esther so unlikely? What changed in Esther to make it possible?

7. How did Esther’s decisive risk-taking actions affect her relationship with Xerxes and with Mordecai?

8. According to the full story of Esther’s life, what was her true value in God’s eyes?

9. How does Esther’s story show us that God values and works through us to advance His kingdom today? How is she a role model for us?

MAKE IT PERSONAL
◾ What’s one area of your life where you need prayer for courage, wisdom or greater trust in God?
◾ What would the next faithful step look like in a situation where you don't have the whole picture?

Ask God what He wants to say to you, then spend a few minutes quietly listening for Him to speak.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY
Memorizing Scripture helps us carry the words of God with us all the time, wherever we go. His Word gives light and direction and ultimately has the power to change us and deepen our relationship with Him. Here’s a good verse to memorize based on this week’s teaching:

“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14b (NIV)

App and the Daily Devotional
Spend time with God with the Daily Devotionals available on the App. You can also find Sunday Message resources and videos, leave prayer requests, give and more.

Why Jesus?
If you’ve never experienced God’s forgiveness and grace, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you about a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Email thepastors@brookwoodchurch.org or call 864.688.8200.

Additional Study Tools
For additional Bible Study tools, guides and devotionals, check out bible.com, youversion.com, biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org.