Outline of In Her Shoes - Ester WithIn Bible Study!

13 September 2013
I. Introduction! A. In fact so complete this victory [over Haman] that many gentiles profess to be jews (8:17). The oppressed and endangered minority has become the most powerful group in society. This reversal has been accomplished by human action motivated by ethnic solidarity and an underlying faith in the providence of God, specically by the action of a woman Ester, A powerless member of a powerless group (Womens Bible Commentary 1998:136).! B. Main Points! 1. Actions Speak Louder than Words! 2. Your Network Matters!!! 3. To Everything there is a season! II. Background - The Book of Ester! A. A semi-controversial book! B. Wasnt received by Jewish or Christian Leadership until the 3rd and 4th centuries respectively! 1. They professed that the book was not religious enough! 2. For example, there is actually no mention of God in the Book of Ester! C. Most of the edits/revisions/translations of this book include additions of religiosity! 1. Expanded moments of prayer by Mordecai and Ester! 2. Dreams of Mordecai and Ester! D. Purim, the Jewish festival, also saved Ester! 1. Her connection to the festival encouraged Jewish religious leaders to include her book in the Bible! III. Point I: Actions Speak Louder Than Words! A. At rst words of Vashti and Ester seem most signicant! B. But it is their actions that are most signicant! 1. Vashti's refusal to go the king when called was a HUGE statement! 2. Esters appearance before the kind when she wasnt called was a HUGE risk! C. Their actions highlight the power we have as women to inuence the world around us! 1. The Men of the court were so afraid of Vashti not appearing that they pressured the king to banish her! 2. They were concerned that other women in the kingdom would get ideas about how to approach men! D. Feminists1 across time! 1. Female suffragists standing in front of the White House! 2. Madres de la Plaza de Mayo walking to bring attention to their missing sons! 3. Ester standing for all Jews! E. Normal tasks can shift society ! F. We too have the power that these women had! G. QUESTION: What are ways we can use our actions to change the world(s) around us?#
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When I use feminist I am coming from a different perspective than the one commonly discussed in news and social interactions. I am a womanist feminist. Womanism is short is a theoretical perspective focused on the experiences and knowledge bases of Black women [which] recognizes and interrogates the social realities of slavery, segregation, sexism, and economic exploitation this group has experienced during its history in the United States (via Beauboeuf-Lafontant 2005). Presented by Danielle N. Pritchett for WithIn Ministries ! Page $1

Outline of In Her Shoes - Ester WithIn Bible Study! 13 September 2013

IV. Point II: Your Network Matters!! A. Ester and Mordecai! 1. Mordecai was the eyes and ears of the court for Ester! 2. Many focus on Mordecai being the catalyst that got Ester to save the Jews! 3. But there is more to Mordecais role! B. The Right Network Yields Much! 1. Mordecai shows just how much can be done with the right network! 2. He also shows the importance of having a network of those higher than/ahead of you ! C. QUESTION: How do you use your network? Why do you think Networking is Important?! V. Point III: To Everything There is a Season! A. Ecclesiastics 3:1-8 (NKJV)! 1. To everything there is a season,! A time for every purpose under heaven:! 2 A time to be born,! And a time to die;! A time to plant,! And a time to pluck what is planted;! 3 A time to kill,! And a time to heal;! A time to break down,! And a time to build up;! 4 A time to weep,! And a time to laugh;! A time to mourn,! And a time to dance;! 5 A time to cast away stones,! And a time to gather stones;! A time to embrace,! And a time to refrain from embracing;! 6 A time to gain,! And a time to lose;! A time to keep,! And a time to throw away;! 7 A time to tear,! And a time to sew;! A time to keep silence,! And a time to speak;! 8 A time to love,! And a time to hate;! A time of war,! And a time of peace.! B. This passage is one of my early favorite Bible passages! C. The book of Ester reects this passage and the power of timing and working in the correct season#

Presented by Danielle N. Pritchett for WithIn Ministries !

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Outline of In Her Shoes - Ester WithIn Bible Study! 13 September 2013

D. In chapter 2, Mordecai advises Ester to not reveal her Jewish heritage which may seem strange at rst! 1. However, holding on to this information actually helped Ester save her people! 2. Holding this information allowed Ester to work on her relationship with the King! 3. When her background was reveled since he liked her for her the stigma wasnt as strong once he found out she was Jewish! E. The idea of less is more which is used to give quick fashion advise is also applicable here! 1. i.e., leave some mystery, reveal information over time, dont put all your eggs in one basketto everything there is a season.! F. Even Jesus doesnt reveal all of himself at one time (see John 1:14 & 17)! 1. Jesus is truth! 2. Jesus is also grace! 3. To borrow from Pastor Georges (LGs) sermon from earlier this year:! a) there is a time to show truth and a time to show grace.! b) Finally, Grace + Truth = Love! 4. And to balance grace and truth we as Christians need the guidance of Jesus! G. Ester had Gods Guidance as well as Mordecais! H. Ester 4:14: For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your fathers house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?! 1. In this passage, Mordecai is telling Ester that the time is now to use her inuence and relationship for a greater good! 2. BUT! 3. Before she went to the king she prepared herself: she fasted and asked the Jews [her extended network] to fast too! 4. Your network and your timing are both key as seen with Easter! I. Ester and the Kingdom! 1. Ester 4:14 also focuses on the earthly kingdom that she served! 2. As women looking In Her Shoes, we can extract motivation and encouragement to pursue our purpose! J. QUESTION: What have you Come to the Kingdom for such a time as this for?! VI. Summary & Review! A. Summary! 1. There is a Preparation Time! 2. We need the favor of God! 3. God works in His own time and season! 4. Your background does not hinder your future with God! B. Review! 1. Actions speak louder than words i.e., you matter and you have the power to change the worlds around you! 2. Your networks matters i.e., your companions are like the buttons on an elevator, they can either take you up or take you down. - Unknown! 3. To Everything there is a season i.e., Gods timing is always the best timing

Presented by Danielle N. Pritchett for WithIn Ministries !

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