Turning Points: Mordecai

What this episode covers

REVIEW. “What did you take away from last time?” [Refer to last week’s responses.] “How did that go?” Sermon Summary: Mordecai is a Jewish exile in Persia who raised his cousin Esther after her parents died. King Xerxes chose her to be queen after queen Vashti publicly shamed him. During that time, Mordecai told Esther of an assassination plot, and the king was saved. Later, because of his faith/ethnicity, Mordecai would not publicly honor an official named Haman. Insulted, Haman tried to kill not only Mordecai but all the Jews in the empire. Again, Mordecai informed Esther, and the king killed Haman and his family, honored Mordecai, and let the Jews defend themselves against their enemies. Jews still celebrate Purim in remembrance of that victory. Throughout this story we learn from Mordecai that influence comes from serving undeserving leaders, staying faithful to God, and making others great. Discussion Questions: Truth: Scripture is clear that we are not to befriend the world (James 4:4). How does this sync with Mordecai and Esther’s service of king Xerxes, and Romans 13:1 and Jeremiah 29:7? Repentance: What does a healthy relationship with leaders look like in your life? Where do you struggle to live that way? Faith: What does faith look like in that relationship? RESPOND. Ask God, how can today’s discussion further your relationship with God, one another, and the world? Pray together. [Record responses and prayer requests.]

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