Message Application Guide

1. review the message

Read Esther 4:1-17: God has placed each one of us in certain positions to be used for His glory in accomplishing His will. Some of us are going through times of great joy and praise, while others are enduring very stressful circumstances, or dark situations, or uncertain times. Sometimes when we are facing dark and difficult situations we have the propensity to ask the question whether God is there at all. The truth is, no matter what time you are living through right now, God is in the middle of the scene and He is positioning you for such a time as this. Spend a few moments sharing your present life circumstances with your family group. As you share, look for signs of God’s hand, or God’s presence in your situation. Can you see evidence of God positioning you for such a time as this? Now that you are in position there are 3 things you need to do.

2. IN SUCH A TIME AS THIS I NEED TO PRAY WITH BOLDNESS

Read Esther 3:13-4:3: This is a desperate time for the Jewish people. Notice what is going on in VS 3. Have you ever been in a time like this? A time where it seems as if you have reached the end of your rope, and there is seemingly nowhere to turn. Notice the Jewish people in the story didn’t run, they didn’t hide, they didn’t try to blend in with the culture. Their response to their desperate situation was to go directly to prayer. They turned directly to the God Who had the solution. Where do you tend to turn when you find yourself in a horrible situation? What worldly solutions do many people turn to when they are facing desperate things? What place does prayer and fasting really have in your everyday life? Is prayer a regular habit or a last ditch effort? Read Matthew 7:7-11: Does prayer really work? Read Acts 2:42: What does it mean to “Devote” yourself to something? Are you truly devoted to praying with boldness?

3. IN SUCH A TIME AS THIS I NEED TO HAVE FAITH LIKE FLINT

Read Esther 4:4-11: Flint is as tough, hard, sharp type of rock. It has been used for centuries to start fires and make arrowheads. What does it mean to have faith like flint? Mordecai and Esther, and all the Jewish people in the Persian Empire were facing a completely desperate situation. Spend time in the Word going verse by verse, from verse 4 to verse 11. Can you find 6 ways Mordecai had faith like flint? (Use your sermon notes as a guide) How do these 6 ways Mordecai had faith like flint relate to the lives of all believers? Read Esther 4:11; Notice how impossible the situation seemed to Esther, yet she didn’t give up. Read Matthew 19:26; Philippians 1:20-21: How do these verses embolden you to trust in God and have faith like flint, even in the midst of seemingly impossible situations? What situation in your life do you presently need to rely on God for?

4. IN SUCH A TIME AS THIS I NEED TO BE DYING TO SELF

Read VS Esther 4:12-14: God was going to provide deliverance for the Jews, no matter what Esther chose to do with Mordecai’s request. The last part of VS 14 is the theme phrase for the book of Esther. Esther had the opportunity to stand up for her God and stand up for her people. She had the opportunity to boldly pray and act in boldness with faith like flint. She looked to the sovereignty of her God and realized that He had placed her in that very specific place in a very specific time, for a very specific purpose. Read Matthew 16:14: What does this verse have to do with your life? What does it have to do with Esther? Read Esther 4:15-17: What did Esther do? What was her attitude? Why was she able to be so seemingly cavalier about the possibility of dying? The truth is there is a lot at stake when you choose to believe Jesus no matter what. There is a lot at stake when Jesus is truly Lord and Master of your life. Who do you really believe God is? How strong do you believe He is? Who did God create you to be? Do you believe that God has positioned you for such a time as this?

5. Pray

What situations or circumstances are you facing in your life today? Spend time as a family group praying boldly for each other, for your church, and for the world you live in.