IBC Richmond

The goal we are presenting is to be a church ruled by Christ, governed by members, led by elders, served by deacons.

Habakkuk 3:17-19
Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer's;
he makes me tread on my high places.
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
• Carefully read Esther 2. Is Esther's behavior righteous or sinful?
• Who is Mordecai? What is his relationship to Esther?
• How has God's grace exceeded your personal sin (Rom. 5:20b)?
• Is God willing to use sinners to accomplish his purposes? How does this shape an understanding of providence?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
• What does King Ahasuerus request of Vashti? Why does she refuse?
• What part does alcohol play in the story? How does this view of alcohol influence your celebrations?
• Is the prince's feared outcome (vs. 17) valid? Describe a better way for a husband to gain a wife's respect.
• Do you live with the same moral integrity as Queen Vashti? How has it caused good or bad consequences?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
• Who is Ahasuerus? Where is he found in the book of Daniel? Why is this significant?
• Describe the times of Xerxes. How does a person discern the times in which they live?
• Is a 6 month celebration after a 3 year reign excessive celebration? Identify areas of personal excess.
• How was God at work in the first 3 years of Xerxes' reign and 6 month celebration? Is God similarly at work today?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
• What does "form" mean? What is a "form of evil"?
• How does a person know what is evil?
• In what way does 1 Thessalonians 4:3 help define the word "abstain"?
• What is the purpose of abstaining? What good does it produce?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
• What does it mean to "test everything"? Test by what standard?
• Describe what it means to "hold fast." How does one hold fast to truth?
• How important is decisiveness in the Christian life? Are there dangers to indecisiveness?
• Who determines what is good? Why?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
• What is the purpose of prophecy according to 1 Corinthians 14:1-6?
• What distinctions are noticeable between prophecy and tongues (1 Cor. 14:1-6)?
• What does “Do not despise prophecy" mean (1 Thess 5:20)?
• Where does the church find and receive prophecy today?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
• What specific ways does the New Testament describe the Holy Spirit’s ministry to a believer?
• Describe the word “quench." What does it mean? Why is it dangerous to quench the Holy Spirit?
• How does the Holy Spirit minister with God’s Word?
• Is the local church receptive to the Holy Spirit? Why or why not?