Discussion Questions 7/25/20

7/25/2020

These discussion questions are based on the sermon that Pastor Bledi Leno delivered on 7/25/20.

Here are some discussion questions that you can talk about with the people that are in your home with you. You can also call a friend who was watching and discuss it with them. Or you can break out a notebook and use these questions to journal your thoughts on the message.

1. Why is Esther not upfront with her Jewish heritage?

2. How do we find our God given identity in a land where most people are different?

3. How should Christians get involved in justice in society?

4. How is racism not compatible with Christian character?

5. Why is their power in gathering together?

6. How does prayer make a difference?

7. Why is it important to listen to people who are hurting?

8. How can Christians advocate for the helpless?

9. Why is it important as a Christian to represent the side of Jesus rather than a political party?

10. What is the message that God is trying to give to you from this sermon?

11. How can you apply this message to your life?

12. What practical thing can you do today to get started?

Feel free to share some of your thoughts in the comment section below:

5 Comments

Michella Calix

7/25/2020 12:49:09 pm

Trying not to fit in to be liked, but making a difference in life by dying of self every day in order to act more like Jesus Christ and less of the world.

Wayne Jamel

7/26/2020 01:25:15 pm

the place to fit into is God's plan

Selva Mason

7/27/2020 01:44:58 am

4. How should Christians get involved in justice in society?
Christians should get involved in justice in society by practicing and introducing the ways of the bible to all who we encounter in society (inside the church and outside the church). By this I mean, being an active evangelist (living the word and doing the word). In his sermon, Pastor Leno talked about ways to respond as a Christian to the current issues of justice, he said:
1. Gather together with our church community
2. Fast and pray
3. Advocate on behalf of the oppressed
I appreciated these suggestions because they are practical. I believe that we can discuss how to practice these things as a church community. I also believe that we demonstrate how we are different as Christians by showing, telling and teaching others the Christian way.
For example, I think we could have a week of fasting and praying about a specific society issue and open up this opportunity to people of the community. When they come and join us in prayer and fasting...then we introduce them to the scripture and discuss ways they could apply scripture. The thing is that the Word of God is free...the promises of God are also free and eternal; many people do not know this. One reason why people do not know of God’s promises is that we limit our reach when we do not extend what we are commissioned to share with the world beyond our church building walls or the beyond the walls of our secured homes.
There are many hearts that are hurting and do not know how to find inner peace we can help to guide people on their path to freedom through Jesus Christ.
12. What practical thing can you do today to get started?
I can get started today by reading the book of Esther so that I get a first-hand read and understanding of the book. I am thankful that Pr. Leno shared this sermon because it emphasized the importance of reading and understanding the bible. This is important because the more I read and understand the bible, the more connected I will become with Christ through the Holy Spirit and it would be easier for me to be able to explain things in scriptural context. Sometimes in society, people get in trouble with the law because they do not know their rights. Similarly, our lack of biblical knowledge becomes a roadblock in our connection with Christ, a roadblock when witnessing and a roadblock when evangelizing. Lived experiences (testimonies) are powerful. Lived experiences are even more powerful when the testifier's story brings biblical promises to life conforming that the same God that existed in biblical times is the same God who lives today.
He Lives! (I Serve A Risen Saviour)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF6aBDS3drA

8/1/2020 02:47:13 pm

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, those are some good ideas. A week of fasting and reading Esther.

Helen Morgan

7/27/2020 01:05:24 pm

7) How does prayer make a difference? Prayer is one way to be spiritually awake because the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it. Therefore, prayer makes a difference because biblically speaking God is a personal being and we can interact with him on a meaningful level. Prayer can give us physical strength to help us overcome challenges in the Spiritual realm since our struggles are not against flesh and blood enemies, but against rulers and authorities of the unseen world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.(Eph.6:12)

Through prayer we can call upon God to grant us physical power to overcome evil. The Bible tells us to watch and pray so we do not fall into temptations. Prayer keeps us humble and reminds us that God is in control. It also makes our experience with God real on an emotional level. If our prayers are answered it can serve as a witness to others who may have doubts. As Pastor Leno pointed out in his sermon that the first thing Esther did was to go to God in prayer and fasting because she knew that she could not approach her situation depending on her own strength. To get a sense of how prayer make a difference we just have to take a look on Jesus' life and how he was constantly praying to his father.

Pray makes a difference because it strengthens our relationship with God as well as with other believers with whom we share a bond. Prayer can succeed where we have exhausted all our options. It is my belief that we were created to function best, emotionally when we feed on spiritual food through a prayerful relationship with God. If we want our prayers to really make a difference we have to be truthful, and to do that we must first pray a heartfelt focused prayer. In addition, we must acknowledge that our wisdom is not enough which means that we also have to pray for wisdom. Prayer can and will give us courage to do what we cannot achieve on our own strength.

8) How can Christians advocate for the Helpless: This question takes me directly to Proverb 13:8-9 which tells us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute, defend the rights of the poor and needy and to speak up and judge fairly. We are called to defend the weak and to uphold the cause of the poor and oppressed.

The word of God tells us that we must administer true justice, show mercy and compassion to one another. In addition, it says whatever we do for one of the least of these brothers and sisters, you do it for me. We are to carry each others burdens, look after the orphans and widows in distress and do not become polluted by the world around us. God calls us not to love with words or speeches but with actions. One thing that my parents instilled in us children is that we treat others as we would want to be treated by others.

As Christians we must care about justice for the poor. Psalms 41:1 tells us that the Lord will deliver us in times of trouble if we have regards for the weak. For example, in order to secure freedom of the Isrealites, Moses uses his connection with Pharaoh to speak for his people; Daniel also spoke up on behalf of himself and his friends when they were taken and delivered to King Nebuchadnezzar; not to mention Easter who was willing to risk everything including her life by using her influence with the King to advocate for the Jewish people.

Jesus advocates for us by coming to our aid or pleads our case to the Father, he also calls the Holy Spirit our advocate. If we really take the time to study and understand what is expected of us as Christians we will find the answers. I do believe that God calls us to be good stewards of our gifts and we can use those gifts to influence our leaders and government to make decisions that fight the systemic causes of poverty, conflict, and justice. Just like Esther, one determined voice can help to change lives around the world and that one voice could belong to you or me.

Finally, let me say that in the human court system we have advocates otherwise known as lawyers who speaks for the rights of his/her clients. The thing is, the earthly advocates can only plead our case from external evidence or witness testimony but our heavenly advocate knows our hearts and pleads our case on the basis of what is there. He also knows the heavenly/God's legal system.

Discussion Questions 7/25/20

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