Is God at Work in Vegas? Esther Part 9. Justice & Mercy

Read Esther 9:1 – 10:3

• What stands out to you?
• What observations or questions do you have about the text?
• What might this mean for us?

Watch Right Now Media: The book of Esther – Danielle Brown session seven

Discuss

The first half of chapter 9 describes the Jews turning the tables on those who hate them, striking down their enemies, and establishing their own security and status across Xerxes’ realm.

• Contrast this kind of deliverance story with the teaching and mission of Jesus, the suffering servant – what is attractive about the Esther version to a people who have been oppressed?
• What might it look like when Christians read this kind of story of wielding cultural power into the role, we are invited to play in the world today?
• How might it change our engagement with people who are not like us; culturally, politically or in faith?
• How do you deal with the temptations of power over others in settings where you have it, whether this be as employer, receiving customer service, or being in authority?

Purim is established as a Jewish festival that can be celebrated without reference to a temple or sacrifices – one that a people in exile can fully enter into.

• What parts of the whole experience of church could be done without a building or central gathering space? [Think beyond services and include the community of church aspect].
• How does your life group embody part of the experience of church for people who are part of it?
• What parts of our faith do we bring to the rest of our lives – and how does that benefit the spaces to which we bring them?
• What are we as Christians known for celebrating or opposing?
• How might we portray the way of Jesus more helpfully?

Verse 9:28 focuses on remembrance and having a consistent witness across time and space – every generation and every city.

• What we can as individuals do to contribute to this kind of faithful witness?
• How would you summarise the message that we are trying to share?

Pray for the Church (worldwide), our church (RCC), your expression of church (the people you are connected with) and for people who need the church that we can invite them in.

Practise Consider sharing communion in your life group, sharing sung or other worship, or other expressions of communal faith that are otherwise reserved for church gatherings.