Date: August 18, 2024
Haman
The Point: Whatever you do, do it with humility.
Get Into the Study
As part of the discussion of the opening question, ask: Who in our group enjoys cooking? Does anyone know what the James Beard Award is?
The James Beard Award celebrates culinary achievement in categories including Outstanding Chef, Best New Restaurant, and regional Best Chef awards. The winners are picked by a panel of 600+ culinary professionals—chefs, restaurateurs, journalists, and culinary educators. Recently, the names of this year’s winners were announced. One of the winners was Chef Paul Smith from Charleston, West Virginia. Smith won the award for Best Chef: Southeast. Chef Smith is known for being an example of humility in the culinary world. You He made history by becoming the first chef from West Virginia to win a James Beard Award. Despite his significant achievement, Chef Smith’s humility is shown by often crediting his success to his team and community who support him, rather than himself.
Smith’s actions highlight the fact that whatever you’re called to do, you can do it with humility. As we’ll see from our Bible verses for this session, Haman is an example of how NOT to show humility.
Pray for the group as you transition into the “Study the Bible” section. Pray that the group would see how popular culture seeks praise rather humility. And that as followers of Christ, we should want to be more like Jesus.
Study the Bible
As you study Esther 6:10-14 and discuss the idea that pride can lead to humiliation and destruction, refer to the report
Refer to the report that fallen crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison. Point out that Bankman-Fried’s firm, FTX, was at the forefront of the cryptocurrency boom. But his pride and overconfidence in his own abilities led to a series of reckless, immoral, and unethical decisions. Sam Bankman-Fried’s pride in his ability to manage FTX without adequate financial compliance and ethical considerations ultimately led to one of the largest financial frauds in history, resulting in a significant prison sentence and the collapse of his financial empire.
We must recognize that popular culture has no shortage of awards ceremonies, and recipients often thank lots of people. But the awards always have that one person’s name on it. The greatest person who has ever walked this earth—Jesus, the One most worthy of praise and accolades—carried out His ministry with humility. If we are to follow Him, we should live like him. We are called to give our best and work with humility.
EXTRA was written by Ryan Sanders. He holds the ThM and MDiv from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Ryan is married with three children, and lives in Washington, DC. Find more about Ryan at RyanJSanders.com.
Study the Bible [Optional Activity from the Adult Leader Guide]
In advance, play the song “I Surrender All.” Mordecai was willing to surrender his life and God exalted him. Haman will filled with pride and God humbled him. Play the song while asking the group to reflect upon the words. Close in prayer by asking the Father to help each person be willing to first surrender their hearts to the Lordship of Christ.
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- When was there a funny time in which your plans did not go as planned?
- What are some ways our society encourages pride instead of humility?
- What is one achievement you feel most proud of? Why?
- What’s an award that’s given that you’ve never really understood?
- Who’s the G.O.A.T. when it comes to your favorite sport or hobby?
Esther 3:1-5
- How would you define humility?
- How can you foster humility in your life?
- What practices can help us stay humble when we succeed?
- What are some specific ways people show pride in their achievements today?
Esther 3:6-9
- What can be the consequences of unchecked rage or pride?
- What can happen when a personal agenda outweighs one’s personal ethics?
- Why should you use your position to advance the good of others?
- How can we leverage our achievements or position to honor God?
- Where do you see evidence today of people leveraging their status for personal gain?
Esther 6:10-14
- What may be the consequences for others when someone operates with pride?
- In what ways can pride affect your relationship with God and others?
- Why do you think pride is so displeasing to God?
- What are some consequences of pride?
- Why does pride often lead to downfall?
For Those in Your Group
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
Checking Your Motives at the Door
Magazine Article
This article complements the study. Share this link with your group members.
Mature Living – All the Way
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
Hi. I enjoy your podcasts. I do substitute for my Sunday School and they help with discussions. Thank you. Would like to have the Outline of Esther Article 12 in the Leader Pack for August 18 Session 5 to distribute to the class. Where can I find it on line or can you send it to my email address. Thank you for your help. May you have a Blessed day Alva Jean
That item is part of the Leader Pack, which can be found here.
I have a concern about the commentary on the Pur (pg.143), of the leader’s guide. It says it’s an Eastern culture practice. I believe that is a little misleading, in fact it was commanded by God in the old testament to make decisions. So, just because Haman used this to decide a date doesn’t mean he had an extreme devotion to pagan religious practices. in fact, the apostles used this method to decide who was going to replace Judas. Did I read this wrong, I’m confused?
Yes, you are correct. The casting of lots is mentioned in Scripture. The OT refers to the Urim and Thummim, which were used on occasion to determine God’s will (1 Sam. 14:41–42). It was also not limited to God’s people. The casting of lots was a part of pagan cultic practices as well. We can rightly assume Haman was casting lots as a part of his pagan beliefs, and there is certainly nothing to suggest he was following a practice to seek God’s will for the annihilation of God’s people.