Wesley Study Notes & Prayer concerns

[Rev. Ellen Ely]

Good afternoon friends!

 

Yesterday I heard from Dr. Chris Allen, the superintendent of the MFISD. He asks for our collective prayers “to hear the Lord’s wisdom” as decisions are made about school re-openings. I assured him that he/MFISD would have our prayers. In addition to Dr. Allen, let’s also remember in our daily prayers, Marble Falls Mayor John Packer, City Manager Mike Hodge, Burnet County Medical Authority Dr. Juliet Madrigal, and Coordinator of Marble Falls Emergency Operations Russell Sander. Of course, we can also extend those prayers for all school administrators and those in authority all over the Highland Lakes. There are many who are working together making tough decisions with information that is constantly changing and they all need our prayers.

 

Attached and copied into the body of this email you’ll find the Wesley Study Notes for your preparation for our Sunday morning online worship. Please go to our website (fumcmarblefalls.com) at 10am or anytime afterward, to see the worship service from a link in the middle of our homepage. The WOW service will also be available on the website at 5:50 each Wednesday evening.

 

Blessings

Ellen

 

Rev. Ellen Ely

Senior Pastor

First United Methodist Church

1101 Bluebonnet Dr.

Marble Falls, TX 78654

(830) 693-4341 Office

(830) 265-0761 Cell

 

Wesley Groups Study Lesson

Week of July 26, 2020

Scripture: Esther 4:1-17

Countdown of Our Favorites!

Theme: “For Just Such a Time as This”

 

Opening Prayer:

Dear God, we thank you for this seldom read little book in the middle of the Old Testament. Its’ one that is often overlooked but so filled with examples of your providence, mercy and power. Help us look to it this week as we prepare for worship on Sunday morning. Draw us into its’ pages, that we might learn at least one new thing! In the name of Jesus Christ we pray! Amen.

 

Overview:  This week we continue our sermon series: “Our Favorite Bible Stories” Thanks to all who voted! This week we study the #1 favorite Old Testament story: Esther.

 

Questions for reflection:

1. Read the entire book of Esther, preferably in one sitting. What makes it unique, from all the other books in the Bible?  Who are the characters?
2. Now go back and read chapter 4, since you have the bigger picture and can then put chapter 4 in that context. 
3. What were some of the personal problems/challenges of King Xerxes/Ahasuerus? How did Haman interact with him? What kind of relationship did they have?
4. What does Mordecai overhear? What secret did Mordecai and Esther have? What is their relationship? What kind of evil edict did Haman get the king to issue? What do Mordecai and Esther decide to do about it? Was this dangerous? Why?
5.  How did the king react when he learned what Haman had manipulated him to do? What was the result?
6. What can we learn from this beautiful book? How is it relevant in today’s world? What difference does it make for us personally? Discuss in your groups some lessons we can glean from this seldom read book of the Bible.

 

Closing Thoughts on Scripture Lesson: Discuss anything else that you noticed in this lesson that speaks to you, or anything that jumped out at you for the first time.

 

Sharing of Prayer Concerns & Celebrations

 

Closing Prayer: Mighty God, though your name is not spoken directly anywhere in this book, we see your hand at work! In these pages, we see that evil never triumphs and you always have the last word. Help us to trust that and specifically, trust you with the overwhelming problems of this world. Amen.