SERIES:  Esther                                               WEEK:#1       

MESSAGE: Endless Winter

COMMUNICATOR: Pastor Kevin Geer

CENTRAL TEXT/S: Esther 1-3

CHECKING IN: How was your week? What was one of the highlights? Share wins (things God did that moved his mission forward and you closer to Jesus). What did you put into practice from last week’s discussion? 

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER AND DISCUSS: Choose questions that will work best for your group. Feel free to add to or ask a question in a different way than is written. 

1. What is it about winter that you enjoy the most and why? 
2. Read Esther 1:5-12. What was going on during this party? What are your thoughts about Queen Vashti? Talk about king Xerxes and his noble’s response to Queen Vashti’s refusal.  
3. King Xerxes made a horrible decision regarding Queen Vashti that turned out to be a blessing and a move of the hand of God for his people. Share a horrible life decision you made. What was the end result? How did God make that bad decision into a positive?
4. Read Esther 3:5-6. Why do you think Mordcai refused to bow to Haman? What was Haman’s

response towards Mordecai?

1. When you read the above passage, who else in history took the same hate and plan for the annihilation of the Jews? Why do you think the Jews throughout history are the most hated people on the planet? Does this historical truth give credibility to the existence of God? Why or why not?
2. “Remember, winter comes for everyone.” Share a “winter” story that you have experienced in the past or one you are going through right now? How did you move forward from your winter in the and started living in a season of spring? As a group, stop and pray for those current winter experiences. 
3. Read the following Scriptures: Ephesians 1:15-18; Philippians 1:6, Psalm 3:3; and Matthew 28:20 and discuss how they bring encouragement and hope in the midst of a winter season?
4. Even though we can’t see God, we know he is always working.  What are some ways you see God at work each day? 
5. Even though you may not be able to see God’s purpose in your situation (changing jobs, position, title, location etc.), he is placing you in a position so you can help others when the need arises.  Who are the people he has placed in your life to be his conduit? Describe some things that you can do to remember that God is in control.  
6. To keep believing looks like: “G R E A T”. Which one do you best relate to? Which one do you need to work on to be “GREAT”? As a group, take time to give thanks for what God has done in and through your life. Everyone should share at least one.

TRUTH DEMANDS A RESPONSE! What is one action step you will take this week in response to our discussion? Be specific. Try attaching a name and date to your action step.

1. ___________________________________________________________________.

WANT TO GROW DEEPER? We have created some resources to help you grow. Check out and explore the Experience God page. Go to  canvas.church/experience-god or Experience God on the App. 

GROUP PRAYER OPTIONS: 

• • Prayer Question: “What’s going on in our lives that we can involve Jesus?”
  • Ask:  What was one praise and one challenge you experienced this week? Celebrate the praises and pray for the challenges. 
  • Ask if anyone has a need or knows of a need, you can also offer “unspoken” prayer requests. 

• Pray for the person on your right, it can be out loud or in silence, if in silence nudge the person next to you letting them know you are done. 

• Prayer Clusters: Groups of two or three (by gender) and share your week together. Pray together and for each other. Send them a text, or leave a message letting them know you have prayed for them this week. 
• Have someone in your group keep an active list of the requests and the answers for both the updates and to celebrate the answers. 

Are you interested in the Bible and in helping Life Groups benefit from the weekend message? We have a team for you! Canvas members like you create these discussion guides each week. If you are interested in joining the team, please email rickz@canvas.church