Get the group to read
the story of Queen Esther (10 chapters) before they come. They can read it in
Bible Gateway which takes about 20 minutes. Or read the story together as a
group and make noises at the name of Haman to bolt out his name (This is done
yearly at the festival of Purim) http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Esther%201&version=WEB
Questions:
1)
The word God is not mentioned in the book of
Esther, do you see God in this book?
Where and how?
2)
What do you think of Esther? Is she the heroine
in this book? Why/why not?
3)
Why do you think this story is told every year
as part of celebrations of the festival of Purim?
What do you celebrate every year and what
story is told then?
Answers:
1)
God is never mentioned in the book. Esther is
not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible. Except for explaining the origins of
the Jewish feast of Purim, the book seems entirely secular and without any
remote reference to God. No one prays, no miracles happen, and God never shows
up in any way. But, as we will see, God is throughout the book like a
silhouette. He works throughout the book, not through his visible hand of
miracle, but rather his invisible hand of providence. For those who wonder if
God is in their life because they have not seen or heard him, Esther’s life is
like yours and God’s work in her life will reveal to you God’s work in your
own. Taken from http://pastormark.tv/2012/09/04/5-reasons-why-esther-may-be-the-toughest-bible-book-ive-ever-preached
(Please note I’ve only read one article from the websites quoted and I’m not
sure if I agree with the whole article.)
2)
Esther has been criticised for not being more
courageous like Daniel who was also in exile but this misses the point because
in her own way because she trusts in God and God saves his people through
her. http://www.womeninthebible.net/1.14.Esther.htm
3)
The story of Esther has been used in many ways,
here are some examples http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Judaism/2004/03/Theres-Something-About-Esther.aspx?p=1
In the bible, Esther’s story is less about her personal life and more about the
saving of the Jews while they are in exile
Application
How could you apply this story to
yourself and your group?
Follow up
They may like to compare it to movie, one night with the
king (2006, 2 and half hours) based on the story of Esther
An article about the differences between the movie and the
book. http://www.bicchurch.org/bicmag/2007/spring07/online_exclusives/onenight.asp
For an Esther quiz
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