The Bible 20/20 - Week 19: "Providence and Purpose"

In today’s sermon, we explore the story of Queen Esther and take a look at the importance of recognizing God’s providence in our lives while making choices to live with purpose. Often, the issue of God’s Sovereignty is viewed as being in contrast with whether to not we have the ability to make free will decisions, but the truth is that in Jesus these two work together in beautiful unison. The question is - will we choose to trust God and live with courage in "such a time as this”? Discussion Questions: 1. Do you remember a time in your life when you saw God working through what appeared to be just coincidences? What are some ways we can learn to recognize God working when it’s not necessarily obvious? 2. How do we balance the Providence of God working his purposes, with our own ability to make choices and decisions? What can we learn from Esther’s story about how we can co-operate with God to live with purpose? 3. What role does prayer and fasting play in our life when we are at a big moment of decision or we are in need of direction? How can this be a source of receiving wisdom or counsel from God? 4. Mordecai tells Esther - you are here for “such a time as this” - How do you think that applies to your life right now? What areas of influence do you have? What do you think God might have placed you here to do in this season of life? 5. At times, living with purpose and choosing to act in co-operation with what God is up to is risky? How does God’s Providence give us the courage to take the risks He may be calling us to? How was Esther able to say - “I will do this, and if I perish, I perish?” How does Jesus enable us to do that in our lives today?