Raising Spiritual Leaders
Text: Est. 2:5-11, 16-20
Est. 2:5-11
5 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;
6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.
8 So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.
10 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.
11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.
Est. 2:16-20
16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king’s gate.
20 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.
1. Be A Spiritual Leader That Raises A Spiritual Leader (Est. 2:5-7)
Mordecai formulated plans for his daughter’s life. Mordecai put those plans into action.
Mom, Dad, do you have a plan for your kids’ lives? When you look at your kids, what do you see? Do you see them as they are now…or do you see them as what they will
- We lead by example. Model to your kids what you want them to be, to become, be like, etc. Model to them what the
2. Be A Spiritual Leader That Prays For A Spiritual Leader (Est. 2:11, 19)
- Mordecai was just out of sight from Esther, yet keeping a close watch on the affairs and activities of Esther. Mordecai was interested in every aspect of her life.
- Why do you think Mordecai was doing this? He was
As he sat at the court or the gate, he was praying for Esther and what would take place in her life and how it would affect her as a spiritual leader.
Godly parents who have put on the whole armor of God and go to battle on their knees for their children are a force to be reckoned with.
- Through our prayers we have the ability to affect situations where we are not physically present. We may be
3. Be A Spiritual Leader That Encourages A Spiritual Leader (Est. 2:8)
- Encouragement is a great word. It means to put courage
Vs. 8 - Mordecai saw the potential for Esther to lead, to be queen, to do good, to do right, and so he encouraged her.
If your children are going to be spiritual leaders, they are going to constantly be going against conventional wisdom, against the tide, and against the pressure of their peers. Our kids need encouragers; cheerleaders who will cheer them on. (cf. Gal. 6:9; Isa. 40:28-31; Phil. 4:13)
4. Be A Spiritual Leader That Expects A Spiritual Leader (Est. 4:8)
Mordecai made his expectations of Esther very clear, “Esther, I want you to use your influence to save the Jews.” Mordecai expected his daughter to be a spiritual leader.
Expect your children to be spiritual leaders and make your expectations known to them. If it is
5. Be A Spiritual Leaders That Reminds A Spiritual Leader (Est. 4:14)
Mordecai reminded Esther that she was a leader. “Esther, for such a time as this you have been brought into the Kingdom.” Brought to the kingdom for what? To lead.
When our kids begin being influenced negatively by their peers and the world instead of them influencing their peers and the world, we as parents need to step in and
6. Be A Spiritual Leader That Supports A Spiritual Leader (Est. 4:11, 15-17)
Esther had to go against the grain, the norm, the tide. She needed Mordecai’s support. Mordecai did what she asked. He stood behind her and supported her.
Do you want to raise a spiritual leader? Then support your children as spiritual leaders.
7. Be A Spiritual Leader That Rewards A Spiritual Leader (Est. 8:15-17)
As Mordecai walked away from the king having been promoted and his life along with the lives of the entire nation spared, don’t you know he was grateful in his heart for the leadership of Esther?
When our kids lead well, we need to reward them, not with money or gifts, but with something far more important and valuable - our heartfelt