"Neutralizing the Threat" / Esther 8:1-9:15 / Jim Rosenquist

1. The villain Haman is dead, executed in disgrace. What threats does Esther now face? How does she approach the problem? At what risk? How does the king handle the situation?

2. Mordecai issues a new decree in the king’s name. Why? How is it parallel to Haman’s decree? How is it different?

3. What is the consequence of the deadly decree on the 13th of Adar? How do the Jews show restraint? What do they NOT do that their enemies would have done?

4. Like the Jews under Haman’s edict we are under an irrevocable decree of death. What is it? Why? God has issued a counter edict of life. What is it? How

"Checkmate!"/ Esther 7:1-10 / Jim Rosenquist

1. How is Esther similar to a chess master in her interaction with the king? How is it that Haman is completely surprised and shocked by what transpires?

2. What fate befalls Haman? How is it poetic justice?

3. What similarities do you see between Haman’s pride, hatred, murderous intent, viciousness and shrewd manipulation toward Mordecai, with Satan’s similar actions toward Jesus? They were both shocked and dismayed by the results. Why and how?

4. What ‘coincidences’ do you see in this text that reveal the hidden hand of God? How is he the chess master?

5. How has your behavior, choices, or sin affected others? How has it affected the church? The name of Christ? How are we reminded that our sin has consequences to others?

6. In what ways have you seen the unseen hand of God at work in your life? How has God moved through you in his purposes in the lives of others?

"Turning Point" / Esther 6:1-14 / Jim Rosenquist

1. Though God is never mentioned in the book of Esther his hand is ever present and his

providence everywhere displayed. How do we see God’s providence in chapter 6? Though

no miracles are performed how do we see the miraculous here? What ‘coincidences’ are

present? What are the odds of so many coincidences?

2. Professor Karen Jobes says that this chapter is, “the most ironically comic scene in the

entire Bible.” Why does she say that? Do you agree?

3. Haman’s desire for recognition and public praise drives his ambition and behavior - to what

end? If God were to give you free rein to pursue your passions, where would it lead? What

do you long for?

4. Why does the pastor say that 6:1, “The King could not sleep”, is the center of the book of

Esther? Why isn’t Esther 4:14, “maybe you were made queen for just such a

time as this,” the center?. How does this passage in chapter 6 represent a catastrophic reversal?

"Dining With The Devil" / Esther 5:1-14 / Jim Rosenquist

1. Why doesn’t Esther just tell the king what she wants? What do you notice about her behavior/demeanor?

2. Haman is angry because he perceives himself disrespected - the esteem of others is his idol. How far is he willing to take it? What are our idols? How do we know? How are we feeding our idols?

3. How are our idols of self importance and pride a detriment to God’s kingdom? To the church? To our development?

4. What was the root sin that led to Satan’s fall? Has it changed?

5. In what ways do we imitate Satan’s pride? How can we resist him?

6. How does the Gospel answer our need for significance?

"For Such a Time as This" / Esther 4:1-17 / Jim Rosenquist

1. Why was Mordecai sitting at the King’s gate in sackcloth? See v 1-3.

2. What does Mordecai ask Esther to do? Why is she reluctant? Is she correct? See v 9-12.

3. In v 13-14 Mordecai says, “If you don’t help, God will use someone else.” What does he mean? What does this tell us about Mordecai? What covenant has God made with the Jews that gives Mordecai such confidence? (See Gen 12:1-3). Mordecai says that Esther may have come to her position, “for just such a time as this.” What does he mean? Is he right? How does this demonstrate God’s providence?

4. In v 15-17, how does Esther’s answer display her growing character? How has the author developed Esther? How has she changed?

5. In what way might God be placing you in just the right place and time? What decisions do you need to make so that God can use you in, “such a time as this?” What makes it difficult to act courageously?

"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?