Esther 4:1-17

Theme

Find the voice to speak up for God’s people

Questions
  • Have you ever been in the position when you had to decide whether to speak up for God? What did you do?
  • God is not mentioned at all in the book of Esther, nor is prayer or worship. Does that present a problem for you? Why/why not?
  • Look at Esther 2:7-11. Esther was an orphan, a woman, and a Jew, who was not even known by her Jewish name.
    • How do all these things make it difficult for Esther to hold on to her identity as one of God’s people?
    • Are there things which you find challenge your identity: as a Christian; as a Chinese person living in the UK?
  • At first Esther knew nothing about the edict to kill all the Jews, she just knew that Mordecai was distressed (v.1-4) as were all God’s people. Why was Esther bothered by Mordecai’s distress? What did she do?
  • How do you think Esther felt when she learned of the edict to kill all the Jews?
  • Look at v.12-14. Do you think Esther was trying to hide by staying silent? Are you ever tempted to stay silent for ‘protection’?
  • Mordecai challenges Esther’s decision to stay silent by asking her to think about her purpose in the royal court (v.14):
    • Before she heard Mordecai’s words, do you think Esther considered herself someone with a purpose?
    • Do you believe you are a person with a purpose and a voice, which can be used for God?
  • Esther calls all of God’s people in the city to fast along with her before she goes to see the king (v.16).
    • When you have a difficult decision to make do you call on others to support you as you make and carry out that decision?
    • Why do you think it’s important to have others around you when you make a decision to stand up for God’s people?
  • Esther eventually chose to disobey the expectations of her relationship with Xerxes (he is both the king and her husband).
    • Do you think God sometimes calls people to disobedience?
    • How do you know if disobeying social or family expectations is the right thing to do?
  • Do you think Esther showed great faith or great fear when she said “if I perish, I perish” (v.16)? What do you think of Esther when you hear these words from her?
  • Would you say that Esther was courageous, or was she forced into action by Mordecai?

  • Think about your life right now – work, uni, family, friends, social groups, etc – are there opportunities for you to speak up for God in these situations?

  • If you could ask Esther one question, what would it be? (what do you think her answer would be?)