"Faithful Messengers" / 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16 / Jim Rosenquist

1. Refer to verses 1-3. Based on Paul’s responses, what accusations can be inferred against him?

2. In verse 4 what motivation does Paul have for preaching?

3. In verses 5-6 what three things common to false teachers and televangelists does Paul say he doesn’t do? Can you think of some current examples?

4. What metaphors does Paul use in verses 7-12 to describe his ministry style? What does he mean? What does it look like? How can we imitate him?

5. In verses 13-16 Paul says that the Christian church in Thessalonica is suffering at the hands of their countrymen like the Judean church suffers from theirs. How is it similar? What is the reason? Do we also suffer from our culture?

6. This passage was used prior to WWII as a justification to hate Jewish people. Why? How is it inappropriate to use the text this way?

"Thankful" / 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 / Jim Rosenquist

1. Paul’s introduction to 1 Thessalonians is about thankfulness. In verses 3-10 identify at least 12 things for which he is thankful to God. Which of these are reasons for us to be thankful also? What was the response to the message of Paul? What should ours be?

2. What is the doctrine of election? What examples are found in scripture? How does minimizing God’s part in salvation slight him?

3. How and why was the conversion of the Thessalonians famous? What did it look like for them to turn from their idols? What are the idols of 21st century America?

4. Paul gives thanks because these early Christians are actively looking for Jesus’ return. Are we? Paul says that Jesus, “delivers us from the wrath to come”. What aspect of God’s holiness is his wrath? How is it unlike ours? Why is it an essential quality of God? Of redemption?

“Jesus, High Priest” / Hebrews 5:1-10 / Hanson Rosenquist

1. What’s significant about the size of this section of Jesus’ high priesthood? Does it even matter? Why or why not?

2. Why does the author emphasize the qualifications for high priests in vv. 1-4?

3. Why do we need a high priest? What do they do that we can’t do for ourselves? How has God’s Word corrected your thinking about this?

4. How does Jesus of Nazareth qualify to be our high priest? What’s the passage tell you?

5. Verse 9 says that Jesus is, “the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” What’s this mean?

6. How does the high priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ give you comfort, joy, and inspiration for worship?

"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?