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Pleading & Proclaiming Sermon

Pat Hood [Lead Pastor]

Sermon Points & Scripture References: 

• Sermon Takeaway = Pleading & Proclaiming

• Scripture Reference: 

• Sermon Point: Esther’s Desperation

• Sermon Point: Mordecai’s Declaration

• Sermon Point: Jews’ Celebration

Sermon Discussion Questions

Get to know me

The purpose of these questions is to generate responses that are self-revealing and informative. Feel free to ask all of these questions to your group or simply choose the one that best fits your group.

1. How has your faith influenced your life this past week? How do you see this influence come to life in your actions or decisions? Can you think of a specific example where this influence was clearly visible?

2. Can you share a moment this week when you felt particularly close to God? What were you doing at the time, and how did that moment make you feel? How has this feeling persisted or changed since that moment?

3. What prayer has been on your heart recently, and why? How can the group help you in prayer concerning this matter?

4. What's a recent challenge where you found strength in your faith? What resources or scriptures helped you navigate through this challenge? 

Into the Bible

The purpose of these questions is to draw group members into the Bible to discover the truth from passages that were not the primary text for the weekend message.

1. Read Romans 10:15. When we see or hear the word preach, we generally think about what a pastor does from a stage on Sundays. Or, we think of a role a person serves in the church, a preacher. But, preaching the good news of Jesus is for all believers any place they are so the Gospel can be heard and used by God for salvation (Romans 1:16). Do you feel you know the Gospel well enough to proclaim it to others? Where do you feel you fall short?  Who can you get to help you?

Application

The purpose of these questions is to apply the main points from the weekend message.

1. Sermon Point: Esther's Desperation. Esther pleads with the king to save her people from the evil that Haman created in the proclamation to destroy the Jews. Her full identity was not known to the king till now but since she had great favor with the king he ordered a new edict to please Esther. Do you hold enough influence in the lives of the people you know that they trust what you say? How are you standing in the gap for or interceding on behalf of others, believers and non-believers?

2. Sermon Point: Mordecai's Declaration. The new law was Great News and there’s an urgency about getting it to those that need it quickly. The day was fast approaching when death would come for the Jews. They needed the good news that there was a way for them to live. Not only do we need to passionately plead and intercede for people to be saved by God. We need to urgently get the news to the world that there is a way to Life. There’s a declaration of Good News, the Gospel, that proclaims a way to escape eternal death and separation from our Good King. How can you declare the good news of Jesus in the places you are, e.g. work, school, sports, etc? How does the way you act or present yourself contribute or take away from your ability to declare Christ?

3. Sermon Point: Jews Celebration. Once the new edict is announced, the people are shouting, rejoicing, full of light, joy, gladness, honor, throwing feasts and full of holiday spirit! What a contrast from when they received Haman’s law and were thrown into confusion, weeping, and mourning. This scene can be the result when we passionately plead and intercede for the salvation of God's people and urgently go to take the good news of the new law of love from our King. Does your life scream joy to others or are you seen as constantly concerned or worried? What in your life is holding you back having the joy you are to have in Christ? How can you help others become more joyful?