Bible Study

Let’s say our SuperVerse together. Esther 4:14(b):

"Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?" 

God created each of us for a purpose—to worship and serve Him. As part of serving Him, God gives us large and small tasks to do as part of His master plan on Earth. Esther was put into place for a specific time to stand up for her people and to save them from Haman’s evil plot. We must always be prepared to follow God’s leading so that we can fulfill His purposes.

Have the children look up and read the verses aloud. Lead a discussion with the questions listed below.

1. Joshua 

Read Joshua 1:1–5:

¹ After the death of Moses the Lord's servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, ² “Moses My servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. ³ I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— ⁴ from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ ⁵ No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.”

• In verses 1–2, how was Joshua prepared for something larger—for “a time such as this” like Esther? He was Moses’ assistant.
• In verse 2, what was the purpose God had for Joshua—for this time? Lead God’s people across the Jordan River into the Promised Land.
• In verses 3–4, what did God promise Joshua? Wherever he went, God would give him victory and that land.
• In verse 5, what was another promise God gave to Joshua? No one could stand against him for his entire life; God would never leave him or fail him.
• How do you think this helped Joshua?
• How can knowing God is with us help us stand for Him and do what He created us to do?

2. Saul/Paul

Read Acts 9:1–6:

¹ Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. ² He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains. ³ As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. ⁴ He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting Me?” ⁵ “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting! ⁶ Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

• In verses 1–3, what did Saul think God’s purpose for him was? To persecute, arrest followers of Jesus.
• Have you ever thought you were supposed to do something, but you were mistaken? How do we find out what our purpose is from God?
• In verses 3–6, how did God change Paul’s direction and let him know this was not His purpose for Saul? 
• Why is it important to know your purpose from God rather than guessing or just doing what everyone else does? 
• Put yourself in Saul’s place. Your life has just been turned upside down. You had dedicated your life to persecuting Christians, and now suddenly you realize that this was all wrong! How would you feel—what are your thoughts? 

Give the children some background about how this is God speaking to Ananias, one of Jesus’ followers, who was sent to Saul/Paul to make God’s purpose clear.

Read Acts 9:15–16:

¹⁵ But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is My chosen instrument to take My message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. ¹⁶ And I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

• What was Saul’s new purpose? God wanted him to be an instrument to take the Gospel to Gentiles—non-Jews, royalty, and Jewish people—basically, to everyone!
• What do you think verse 16 means? 
• What does this say to us when we are doing what God created us to do—what does it say about difficulties or opposition—are we safe from all of them?

3. Rahab

Read Joshua 2:1–7,15–16:

¹ Then Joshua secretly sent out two spies from the Israelite camp at Acacia Grove. He instructed them, “Scout out the land on the other side of the Jordan River, especially around Jericho.” So the two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there that night. ² But someone told the king of Jericho, “Some Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” ³ So the king of Jericho sent orders to Rahab: “Bring out the men who have come into your house, for they have come here to spy out the whole land.” ⁴ Rahab had hidden the two men, but she replied, “Yes, the men were here earlier, but I didn’t know where they were from.” ⁵ “They left the town at dusk, as the gates were about to close. I don’t know where they went. If you hurry, you can probably catch up with them.” ⁶ (Actually, she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them beneath bundles of flax she had laid out.) ⁷ So the king’s men went looking for the spies along the road leading to the shallow crossings of the Jordan River. And as soon as the king’s men had left, the gate of Jericho was shut. ... ¹⁵ Then, since Rahab’s house was built into the town wall, she let them down by a rope through the window. ¹⁶ “Escape to the hill country,” she told them. “Hide there for three days from the men searching for you. Then, when they have returned, you can go on your way.”

• In verse 1, what was the purpose of the two spies? Spy on the city of Jericho, gather information.
• In verses 4–7, what did Rahab do because she wasn’t afraid to take a stand? Hid the spies and risked her life.
• Do you think that Rahab was instructed by God to do this? Why do you think she would help the enemy and risk her life for a God she didn’t even worship? Hint: Joshua 2:8–11. 
• In verses 15–16, how did Rahab help the spies? Gave them a way to escape and then hide from Jericho’s men.
• Consider if Rahab did not do what she did. What if she was too frightened? Do you think God would use someone else to help? 
• What do you think happens when we do not do as God planned for us; if we do not do what He created us to do? Does God’s work fail? Hint: remember what message Mordecai sent to Esther when she was hesitant to take a stand? See Esther 4:14.
• How can the fact that God used a common person, one who many looked down upon, to do such an important act, to fulfill her purpose? God used her in a mighty way and she acted with faith and courage. How can this encourage us?

Close in prayer: God, You have created us with a purpose. At different points in our lives, You will use us to accomplish tasks as part of Your master plan on Earth. Regardless of whether the task is big or small in our eyes, help us to always be willing to trust and do all that You created us to do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.