"The Die is Cast" / Esther 2:19 - 3:15 / Jim Rosenquist

1. Esther 2:19 says, “Mordecai was sitting in the King’s gate.” What does that mean? Was he loitering? What did Mordecai do? (see v 22) How was he rewarded?

2. In verse 3:1, Haman is introduced as the “Agagite.” Who was Agag? (see 1 Samuel 15:8) Who were the Amalakites? (Exodus 17:8-16, Deuteronomy 25:17-19) How does this help explain the hostility between Mordecai and Haman?

3. In verse 3:2, Mordecai does more than disrespect Haman as he directly defies the king’s command. Why? Did Old Testament believers bow to Pagan rulers?

4. What reaction does Haman have? What was he so aggressive?

5. Read 1 John 3:11-15 and Revelation 13. How does this help us understand the hostility of the world toward God’s people? Are Christians exempt from suffering at the hands of Satan and the world? Considering the theme of Esther (God’s providence), what should be our attitude in the face of persecution and abuse?

"Cinderella" / Esther 2:12-18 / Jim Rosenquist

1. How is the story of Esther like Cinderella? How is it different?

2. What does Scripture specifically say of Esther’s character, godliness and morals? Compare this to other Jews living in the Persian Empire such as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Ezra? What happened to them? Why? Which is the better?

3. What does Esther do to win the Miss Persia contest? What is the prize? At what cost?

4. Iain Duguid said, “If someone is willing to suffer the consequences, full obedience to God’s law is always an option.” What does that mean?

5. What other examples are there in Scripture of people who were moral failures but used by God for his purpose and glory? How is their life story a blessing to you?

6. What is the ultimate message and purpose of the Book of Esther? How is this purpose significant in your life?

"God's Providence and Miss Persia" / Esther 1:1-2:11 / Jim Rosenquist

1. Why did Xerxes throw a 6 month party? What was taking place in world history? Why does he summons the queen to appear? Why does she refuse?

2. Whom does the king seek for advice? What are the advisors concerned about? What do they suggest he do about the queen’s refusal?

3. What takes place between chapter 1 and 2? How much time has elapsed?

4. What qualities does Esther posses to make her a candidate to be queen? How does she enter the competition?

5. There is a recurring theme in both Ruth and Esther. What is it? How does that affect us?

What similarities are there between Esther’s time and ours? How might it seem that God is indifferent to our plight?

"There is a Redeemer" / Ruth 4:1-22 / Jim Rosenquist

1. Throughout the entire book of Ruth we have been learning about the kinsman redeemer. What is it? How is Boaz Naomi’s kinsman redeemer? How is Jesus ours? Why does Naomi need one? Why do we? How does Jesus qualify to be our kinsman? How does Jesus qualify to be our redeemer?

2. What two things do the elders and people pray for? How did God answer those prayers? Were they answered within the lifetime of any of those people? What do we learn from this regarding our own prayers and struggles?

3. What did the pastor mean when he asked, “What if the providential purposes of God include me but don’t center on me?”

"Great High Priest" / Hebrews 4:14-16 / Hanson Rosenquist

In this passage the author of Hebrews begins a new section, introducing Jesus Christ as our great high priest. The author wishes to encourage us with all of the benefits we have in the Lord Jesus, and exhort us to hold fast to our profession of the gospel. Remember this context as you begin your discussion.

1. What is our ‘confession,’ what does it mean to ‘hold fast our confession,’ and why is this so important for the author Hebrews to remind his readers?

2. We are told in v. 14 that we have a great high priest. Why do we need a priest, and why do we need a great high priest?

3. How does it encourage you to know that the Lord Jesus’ work on your behalf didn’t end with His resurrection and ascension, but continues to this very day and forever?

4. What evidences do you have that God cares about you and your problems? (See Rom. 8:31-39)

5. How will you encourage other Christians to approach the throne of grace for mercy and help?

"Giving Heaven a Helping Hand" / Ruth 3:1-8 / Jim Rosenquist

1. What is a ‘kinsman redeemer’? Why is Naomi counting on this? What is a levirate marriage? How would this benefit Naomi? Ruth? What happened to get Naomi excited about this?

2. What is Naomi’s plan for Ruth? What danger is involved? How could this approach be misunderstood? At what risk?

3. What does Ruth ask of Boaz? What does he agree to? Why does Boaz go along with this plan? Does he really understand what is being asked of him?

4. What token or pledge does Boaz give to guarantee his actions? What does it mean? What does it symbolize?

5. How is this not a romance story? Why or why not?

"It Just So Happened...." / Ruth 2 / Jim Rosenquist

1. Every believer has a story where looking back we see God’s providence, where it just so happened, where we didn’t recognize God’s hand at the time. What’s your story?

2. There were several examples used from Scripture of God’s providence - Joseph, Moses, Mary, Paul. Which one stood out to you? Can you think of other examples? Are there practical or theological limits to God’s providence? Why don’t we see them?

3. What do we know so far about Boaz? What do we know so far about Ruth?

4. Why does Boaz address Ruth as ‘my daughter’? What about Ruth does Boaz find attractive?

5. Naomi calls Boaz a ‘Kinsman Redeemer’, What is that? Why is that important to her? What does this prefigure about Jesus?

"Some Graces Grow Best in Winter" / Ruth 1 / Jim Rosenquist

1. If faced with famine or poverty or lack of work, any of us would move to where things are better for the sake of caring for our family. So, why was it wrong for Elimelech to leave Bethlehem and immigrate to Moab? What should he have done? What options did he have?

2. How was the process of Elimelech’s move to Moab similar to Lot’s move to Sodom? How was Ruth’s move to Israel like Abraham’s move to the promised land? How were each of these people changed by the move?

3. What does Ruth say that tells us she has abandoned her gods and become a worshipper of Israel’s God? Where does she learn that? From whom? How?

4. This chapter highlights the sorrows and struggles of Naomi, but it’s not really about her. Who is it about? Why? What is the author preparing us for?

"Requiescat in Fide" / Hebrews 4:1-13 / Hanson Rosenquist

With this passage we are presented with the second half of warning passage that began in 3:6b. The author urges his readers to continue in faith and strive to enter God’s rest. Remember this context as you begin your discussion.

1. What was the ‘good news’ that the Israelites received, which is mentioned in v.2? What is the good news we have received?

2. What is the place of faith in receiving the promise of rest? (see also: Gen.15:6; Gal. 3:6, 11-14)

3. What does the author mean by “Today”? How does this relate to v. 1 saying, “the promise…still stands”?

4. What does this passage (including the example of Israel in Psalm 95) tell us about God?

5. In what ways are you trying to find rest apart from faith in God’s promises?

6. What does it mean (in theory and in practice) to strive to enter God’s rest?

"You Had Me At Hello" / Romans 16:1-27 / Jim Rosenquist

1. Who do you recognize from the people Paul greets in the church at Rome? What do you know about them?

2. Why does Paul interrupt his cordial greeting with such a solemn and stern warning? What is he warning them/us about? Has is this a danger for our church? What does Paul tell us to do? What is this difficult?

3. How does Genesis 3 help us understand Romans 16:19-20? What is Paul saying here? How is this encouraging?

4. As informative as this letter has been, what is its ultimate purpose? What is the ultimate purpose for gathering together as a church?

5. How has this study through the book of Romans helped you? What did you find difficult? How has it changed you?