God is the Author of a grand story of redemption, and it includes you! While Esther was definitely a hero to her nation, God is the actual hero of the book of Esther.

Questions to Ponder:

1. What do you think of Mordecai's decisions and actions in this chapter? In what ways was his ability to speak confidently and unashamedly the result of God's timing or providence? (Warren Wiersbe)

2. What are some examples of God using the lives of both godly and ungodly people to accomplish His purposes in the book of Esther? Where do you see this happening today?

3. A.W. Tozer compared God's sovereign purposes to an ocean liner leaving New York City, bound for Liverpool England. The people on board the ship are free to do as they please, but they aren't free to change the course of the ship. What is your response to Tozer's comment about God's sovereign purposes? In what ways do you see this truth in the church today?

4. Landon Dowden says, "Describe a time the Lord called you to do something but you were full of fear rather than faith and did not obey. Why is Esther 4 a good chapter for many of us who have been in this position?"

5. When you are facing a crisis, do you pray first or is prayer a last resort? Why is prayer always the best reaction to difficult circumstances?

6. Landon Dowden says, "Who is someone God has used to encourage you to be obedient to something God was calling you to do? Why do we need others who will help spur our obedience? How can we encourage one another to be obedient?

7. How might the Word of God bring us to the point where we are willing to say, "If I perish, I perish, but I am going to obey at all costs"?

The Kingdom of God is God's people, in God's place, under God's rule and blessing. (Vaughn Roberts)