Esther: A Self-Sacrificing Queen

By David Woods

Accountability: How has God spoken to you through His Word recently?

Open: Most people have wished at least once in their life somehow they could suddenly become rich. If you were given $1 million today, what would you do with the money?

Discussion: What are some of the attitudes those who are not rich often have toward those who are rich?

Discussion: Why do those who are not rich often regard richer people as less spiritual?

Esther was a Jew in exile. No doubt she was poor - much poorer than us. She also did not enjoy many of the rights we have as Americans.

Discussion: As a commoner, what are some of the attitudes Esther may have had toward King Ahasuerus and the government?

Discussion: Do you think Esther changed spiritually as the result of becoming queen? Why or why not? (Consider Est. 2:15)

Read Esther 1:16-20

Discussion: How would you describe that culture's view of strong, independent (even disobedient) women?

Read Esther 4:7-14

Discussion: How do you think Esther viewed her status, having been ignored by the king for thirty days?

Discussion: Should we fault Esther for not being more willing to intercede for her people? Why or why not?

Discussion: Why did Esther seem not to understand the severity of the threat to the Jews?

Read Esther 3:1-4

Discussion: Why did Mordecai refuse to bow before Haman?

Discussion: How do we determine if civil disobedience is biblical or simply personal?

Read Esther 5:1-4

Discussion: Why did Esther find favor in the king's eyes?

Discussion: How did Esther appeal to the king's humanity (and even vanity) to gain what she wanted?

Discussion: Is it right to appeal to a person's humanity (and vanity) in order to gain their cooperation? Why or why not? (See Luke 16:1-8 and Acts 26:2-3, 29)

Discussion: When can such an appeal be an abuse of power?

Discussion: Why did Esther delay her appeal until after giving two banquets to the king?

Discussion: What does Esther's example teach us about influencing others?

Discussion: What assurances do we have when we obey God's will?

Read Esther 8:3-8

Discussion: What gave Esther the boldness to tell the king how to fix the problem Haman had caused?

Discussion: Why did Esther bow before the king?

Discussion: Why is a proper respect of authority needed even when you are in the right and they are in the wrong?

Discussion: Do you believe God would have delivered the Jewish people if Esther had not interceded for them? Why or why not?

Discussion: Why must one "lose his life" in order to truly experience life? (See Matthew 16:24-26)

Discussion: What are some of the benefits we receive by offering ourselves as "living sacrifices" to God? (See Romans 12:1-2)

Big Idea: The course of history can often be changed by one committed, godly person.

Esther's story is of a person with an extraordinary chance to make a great impact for God. Yet at the same time, she really wasn't any more "special" than any one of us. She came from a less-than-rich household.

She had several good excuses to give why she should not risk her life by approaching the king. She felt fear just like we would feel fear.

We probably won't ever be challenged to stand for God in the extreme circumstances she was. However, we all will face challenges to stand up for God.

We may be challenged to share our faith before those who might make fun of us or avoid us because of our profession. We might be challenged to make a choice between joining the majority in evil or standing with the minority for God.

Discussion: What lessons can we learn Esther's example how to stand for God in a hostile environment?

Our focus in this lesson has been on the sacrifice of Esther for her people. However, we should also consider the role Mordecai played in saving the Jews.

Discussion: Did Mordecai command Esther's respect simply because of family ties? Why or why not?

Discussion: How did Mordecai continue to exert influence over Esther even after she left his home?

Esther was not the only person in this story who stood for her faith in God; Mordecai did also. Yet, Mordecai was not content with only his personal stand for God. Rather, he also desired to help Esther stay true to God.

You may never have the chance to be an "Esther" with a high-profile stand for God. However, you may have the chance to be a Mordecai - encouraging someone else to stand true to God.

Discussion: How can we imitate Mordecai's example in encouraging others to stay true to God?