Comfort zones have their name for a reason: they are comfortable. When everything is perfect, and when we feel safe and secure, we are, in fact, comfortable. The problem is, however, our comfort zones can hold us back and keep us from embracing the lives God has called us to live. Today, we will look at a young girl named Esther who was called out of her comfort zone to help save her Israelite people from destruction and see how God takes us out of our comfort zones for a greater purpose.
BREAK THE ICE
When was a time you stepped out of your comfort zone? What happened?
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Bible Study Questions
1. What keeps people from stepping out of their comfort zones at times?
WATCH SERMON RECAP
2. Read Esther 2:16-20. How was Esther's life uprooted? What stands out to you about how she responded in this situation?
Esther 2:16-20
"Esther was taken to King Xerxes at the royal palace in early winter of the seventh year of his reign. 17 And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti. 18 To celebrate the occasion, he gave a great banquet in Esther’s honor for all his nobles and officials, declaring a public holiday for the provinces and giving generous gifts to everyone. 19 Even after all the young women had been transferred to the second harem and Mordecai had become a palace official, 20 Esther continued to keep her family background and nationality a secret. She was still following Mordecai’s directions, just as she did when she lived in his home."
"Esther was taken to King Xerxes at the royal palace in early winter of the seventh year of his reign. 17 And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti. 18 To celebrate the occasion, he gave a great banquet in Esther’s honor for all his nobles and officials, declaring a public holiday for the provinces and giving generous gifts to everyone.
19 Even after all the young women had been transferred to the second harem and Mordecai had become a palace official, 20 Esther continued to keep her family background and nationality a secret. She was still following Mordecai’s directions, just as she did when she lived in his home."
3. Read Esther 3:1-10. How did Mordechai show courage in this situation? What was at stake for refusing to bow down to Haman?
Esther 3:1-10
"Some time later King Xerxes promoted Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite over all the other nobles, making him the most powerful official in the empire. 2 All the king’s officials would bow down before Haman to show him respect whenever he passed by, for so the king had commanded. But Mordecai refused to bow down or show him respect. 3 Then the palace officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why are you disobeying the king’s command?” 4 They spoke to him day after day, but still he refused to comply with the order. So they spoke to Haman about this to see if he would tolerate Mordecai’s conduct, since Mordecai had told them he was a Jew. 5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage. 6 He had learned of Mordecai’s nationality, so he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Xerxes. 7 So in the month of April, during the twelfth year of King Xerxes’ reign, lots were cast in Haman’s presence (the lots were called purim) to determine the best day and month to take action. And the day selected was March 7, nearly a year later. 8 Then Haman approached King Xerxes and said, “There is a certain race of people scattered through all the provinces of your empire who keep themselves separate from everyone else. Their laws are different from those of any other people, and they refuse to obey the laws of the king. So it is not in the king’s interest to let them live. 9 If it please the king, issue a decree that they be destroyed, and I will give 10,000 large sacks of silver to the government administrators to be deposited in the royal treasury.” 10 The king agreed, confirming his decision by removing his signet ring from his finger and giving it to Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews."
"Some time later King Xerxes promoted Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite over all the other nobles, making him the most powerful official in the empire. 2 All the king’s officials would bow down before Haman to show him respect whenever he passed by, for so the king had commanded. But Mordecai refused to bow down or show him respect.
3 Then the palace officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why are you disobeying the king’s command?” 4 They spoke to him day after day, but still he refused to comply with the order. So they spoke to Haman about this to see if he would tolerate Mordecai’s conduct, since Mordecai had told them he was a Jew.
5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage. 6 He had learned of Mordecai’s nationality, so he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Xerxes.
7 So in the month of April, during the twelfth year of King Xerxes’ reign, lots were cast in Haman’s presence (the lots were called purim) to determine the best day and month to take action. And the day selected was March 7, nearly a year later.
8 Then Haman approached King Xerxes and said, “There is a certain race of people scattered through all the provinces of your empire who keep themselves separate from everyone else. Their laws are different from those of any other people, and they refuse to obey the laws of the king. So it is not in the king’s interest to let them live. 9 If it please the king, issue a decree that they be destroyed, and I will give 10,000 large sacks of silver to the government administrators to be deposited in the royal treasury.”
10 The king agreed, confirming his decision by removing his signet ring from his finger and giving it to Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews."
4. Read Esther 4:1-9. How did Esther need to step out of her comfortable life and comfort zone to help her people?
Esther 4:1-9
"When Mordecai learned about all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on burlap and ashes, and went out into the city, crying with a loud and bitter wail. 2 He went as far as the gate of the palace, for no one was allowed to enter the palace gate while wearing clothes of mourning. 3 And as news of the king’s decree reached all the provinces, there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, and wailed, and many people lay in burlap and ashes. 4 When Queen Esther’s maids and eunuchs came and told her about Mordecai, she was deeply distressed. She sent clothing to him to replace the burlap, but he refused it. 5 Then Esther sent for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs who had been appointed as her attendant. She ordered him to go to Mordecai and find out what was troubling him and why he was in mourning. 6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the square in front of the palace gate. 7 Mordecai told him the whole story, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. 8 Mordecai gave Hathach a copy of the decree issued in Susa that called for the death of all Jews. He asked Hathach to show it to Esther and explain the situation to her. He also asked Hathach to direct her to go to the king to beg for mercy and plead for her people. 9 So Hathach returned to Esther with Mordecai’s message."
"When Mordecai learned about all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on burlap and ashes, and went out into the city, crying with a loud and bitter wail. 2 He went as far as the gate of the palace, for no one was allowed to enter the palace gate while wearing clothes of mourning. 3 And as news of the king’s decree reached all the provinces, there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, and wailed, and many people lay in burlap and ashes.
4 When Queen Esther’s maids and eunuchs came and told her about Mordecai, she was deeply distressed. She sent clothing to him to replace the burlap, but he refused it. 5 Then Esther sent for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs who had been appointed as her attendant. She ordered him to go to Mordecai and find out what was troubling him and why he was in mourning. 6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the square in front of the palace gate.
7 Mordecai told him the whole story, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. 8 Mordecai gave Hathach a copy of the decree issued in Susa that called for the death of all Jews. He asked Hathach to show it to Esther and explain the situation to her. He also asked Hathach to direct her to go to the king to beg for mercy and plead for her people. 9 So Hathach returned to Esther with Mordecai’s message."
Application
1. Is there a time when God uprooted your life in a way like He did Esther's? What happened?
2. How might God be calling you out of your comfort zone right now?
3. What is holding you back from stepping out of your comfort zone that God calls you to take?
MOVING FORWARD
Spend some time as a group praying. Pray for the courage to take the steps out of your comfort zone that God is leading you toward this week. Then, as you go throughout your week, look for opportunities to take those steps.
GOING DEEPER
The truth is, when we understand who God is, risks are not quite so risky. You see, He is the King of the world. We will never be disappointed when we follow and obey Him because God can always be trusted. His character proves just how trustworthy He is. Today we will look at three aspects of God's character to better understand who He is and why we can trust Him completely when He calls us to take courageous steps.
Omniscience:
Scripture teaches that God is omniscient or all-knowing. Because God is all-knowing, He knows the future. As a result, when He calls us to take a risk, we can trust that He knows the outcome.
1. Read Psalm 147:5. What does this verse teach about God's understanding?
Psalm 147:5
How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!
2. Read Psalm 139:1-5. What does this verse teach about God's knowledge about us?
Psalm 139:1-5
1 O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. 3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. 4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. 5 You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.
3. Read Isaiah 46:9-10. What does this verse teach about God's knowledge about the future?
Isaiah 46:9-10
9 Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. 10 Only I can tell you the future before it even happens.
4. How do the passages of Scripture you have read encourage you when you think about risks God might be calling you to take?
Omnipotence:
Scripture teaches us that God is omnipotent. Omnipotence means all-powerful. Because God is all-powerful, we can trust Him with our entire lives, including when He calls us to take risks.
1. Read Jeremiah 32:17. What does this verse teach us about God's power?
Jeremiah 32:17
“O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!
2. Read Ephesians 3:20. What does this verse teach about God's power through us?
Ephesians 3:20
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
3. How do these passages of Scripture that you have read encourage you when you think about risks that God might be calling you to take?
Omnipresence:
Scripture teaches that God is omnipresent. Omnipresent means that God is everywhere. Because God is everywhere, that means He is with us. So when He calls us to take risks, He is right there with us, by our side. We are not alone.
1. Read Proverbs 15:3. What does this verse teach us about God's omnipresence?
Proverbs 15:3
The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.
2. Read Isaiah 41:10. What does this verse teach us about God's omnipresence as it relates to us?
Isaiah 41:10
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
3. How do these passages of Scripture you all have read encourage you when you think about risks that God might be calling you to take?
Reflect:
Spend a few moments reflecting on God’s omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence. Which of these aspects particularly encourages you right now? Share it with your group. After you have shared, commit to memorizing one of the verses from your reading above that reflects that characteristic of God. Let this verse remind you that you can trust God when He calls you to take risks.
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
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