1. The book of Esther never mentions God by name, yet his hand seems to be everywhere in the story. Which of the "coincidences" from the sermon struck you most, and why? Have you ever looked back on a season of your own life and recognized God's hand in something that looked like coincidence at the time?
2. The sermon described the covenant cycle — blessing, rebellion, exile, preservation, restoration — and said Esther and Mordecai are in the "middle part," under discipline but also under God's protection. Do you see God dealing with you along these same sorts of lines at different times?
3. Mordecai tells Esther that she may have come to her position "for such a time as this." What's the difference between a reckless risk and a faith-based risk? Is there anything in your life right now where you sense God calling you to act courageously but you've been hesitant?
4. The Piper quote, "God is always doing 10,000 things in your life and you may be aware of three of them."What are some practical habits or postures that help a person stay alert to what God is doing? What gets in the way of seeing it?
5. The theme of divine reversal is mapped directly to the Beatitudes, arguing that if you don't trust God to make things right, you'll either fall into despair or compromise your godliness to make things happen yourself. Which beatitude is hardest for you to actually live out, and how does genuinely believing in divine reversal make it more possible?
