“Xerxes, who ruled over 127 provinces from India to Sudan…, held a banquet in the third year of his reign. The banquet was for all his officials and advisers, that is, the military officers of the Persians and Medes, the nobles and officials of the provinces who had access to him. He showed them the enormous wealth of his kingdom and the costly splendor of his greatness for many days, 180 to be exact.” —Esther 1:1-4 (GW)

Obsession with

“On the seventh day when the king was drunk on wine, he ordered… the seven eunuchs who served under King Xerxes, to bring Queen Vashti in front of the king, wearing her royal crown. He wanted to show the people, especially the officials, her beauty, because she was very attractive. But Queen Vashti refused the king’s command… As a result, the king became very angry, and his rage burned inside him.” —Esther 1:10-12 (GW)

Obsession with

“Each young woman had her turn to go to King Xerxes after she had completed the required 12-month treatment for women. The time of beauty treatment was spent as follows: six months using oil of myrrh and six months using perfumes and other treatments for women.” —Esther 2:12 (GW)

Obsession with

How do you follow God in a world where who you are is how you look on the outside?

Assessment Questions:

1) To what degree do I treat people on the basis of

?

1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—10

2) Where am I spending more of my time: cultivating my

?

1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—10

3) Am I learning to see myself as

?

1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—10

How God sees me:

• I am loved (Jeremiah 31:3)
• I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-11)
• I am held (Psalm 37:24)
• I belong to Him (1 John 4:4)