February 24, 2025
The Story | Where Are You? | Chapter 20
Hope: The Return of the Exiles
The story of Esther is surprising—not once is God mentioned. Yet God’s silence is not the same as his absence. He works for good, even through ordinary events and with flawed people.
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Chapter 20: Esther 4:10-17
- How would you compare the Persian culture to our culture today? Why do you think some Jews chose to stay there instead of returning to Israel?
- Esther hid her identity when she entered Xerxes’ harem. When have you witnessed someone make moral compromises to blend in? Has that ever been a temptation for you?
- When in your life have you wondered where God is? How does Esther's story speak to that experience?
- How have you seen God working in the ordinary events of your life to bring good?
- Esther and Mordecai were imperfect, maybe even disobedient. God still used them. How do you feel about that? Is it the same for us today?
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Recent Sermons
Mark 1:35 - Jesus modelled a life of restraint and rhythm, showing us how to live with peace and purpose even amid urgency through the practices he shared.
Luke 6:39-49 - Jesus reminds us that we all have teachers shaping us. Some lead us astray, but when we follow him, we learn to live as we were truly meant to.
Romans 12:1-2 - Jesus’ invitation is to follow him: to be with him, become like him, and do what he did. We surrender control to Jesus, resist the pattern of the world that shapes us, and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit for transformation.
Mark 1:16-18 -We begin our series on Practicing the Way—exploring how Jesus’ rhythms of prayer, fasting, solitude, and Sabbath invite ordinary people to grow in grace and intimacy with God
Acts 17:16-34 -Paul shares the hope of Jesus in everyday language, guiding seekers toward truth and showing where their search for God had gone astray.
Acts 13:1-5 -The first Christians had small groups! They knew, because Jesus modelled it, that we’re much better in groups than we are as individuals. The group that gathered in Antioch was diverse, zoned in on Jesus and figuring out how to be outward-facing. Your own group will want all that and more!
