Thursday Bible Study

  [WOMEN in the Old Testament] ESTHER: Courage to act   Esther 5:1-8; 7-8_     All the great stories , within literature, film, TV, as well as throughout history, are all about virtues like loyalty, honour or courage fleshed out in someone’s life circumstances. We need to see how these virtues look in other human beings so we can choose them for our own lives.     [Group discussion starter] What is courage? Do you only need it in times of danger? What helps a person to make the leap from fear to courage? Can you give an example of when you took that kind of leap?     Historically, Esther’s courage to go to the king saved a nation. On a personal level, her courage becomes a model for us. Her story might feel like Arabian Nights, but her decision to risk doing what was right is the kind of decision that anyone can make...     [Read Esther 5:1-8]     Imagine that you are Esther. What thoughts might you have as you stand in the in...

  [WOMEN of the Old Testament]   ESTHER: Captive in a strange land_   Esther 2-4     There are many things that are out of our control, starting with where, when and to whom we are born.   [Group discussion starter] As you look over your life, what factors are outside of your control?   What are you most sorry about, or what makes you the angriest ?   How do you keep from letting your own disadvantages limit you as a person?     Esther is certainly a disadvantaged young woman. But she is a woman with inner strength. She does more than cope. We have no idea how many tears she cried, but she rises to make the most of the circumstances in which she finds herself...     [Read Esther 2-3]     What factors in Esther’s life are outside of her control?       What could she control?       [Activity] Re-read the last two questions, putting your name in place of Esther’s.   How relevant are the...