We know that Northview people love to be in God’s Word and often ask for direction on different devotional apps and reading plans.

While there are several good options available through various sources, we’d like to encourage you to join in our Northview Devotional Plan which will guide you to read and reflect on the passages preached in our weekend sermons!

We hope this will unite our congregation around the study of God’s Word, and help us to more readily absorb and apply the great teaching provided by our preaching pastors.

Each week we’ll be providing a suggested schedule for working through a passage slowly (15 minutes a day). You’ll need a Bible and a notebook or blank paper to record your observations.

Each day we include a reminder to pray. If you are new to the Adoration / Confession / Supplication method, here are some questions to help guide you as you pray:

  • Adoration: What can you praise God for today?
  • Confession: What thoughts / attitudes / actions might you need to confess to God today?
  • Supplication: What will you ask God for today?

WEEKLY READING PLAN :: ESTHER 4:1-17

Esther Devotional Printable PDF

THE KING’S COMMAND: Read Esther 4:1-3

The last chapter ended with the king and Haman drinking and the city of Susa in confusion (3:15).
  • As chapter 4 opens we read about Mordecai’s response, how does the author describe his reaction?
  • As the king’s decree goes out across the empire, how do the rest of the Jews respond?
Read Genesis 37:34-35 (all of Genesis 37 if you want for context!) and Daniel 9:1-5 for other instances when the Jewish people have responded in this fashion.
  • What are they indicating by their actions?
Pray in Adoration / Confession / Supplication

ESTHER & MORDECAI’S FIRST COMMANDS: Read Esther 4:1-8

Record the actions in these verses:
  • What is Esther’s first response to the news that Mordecai and other Jews are wearing sackcloth and ashes?
  • How does Mordecai respond to her gesture?
  • What is Esther’s first command to Hathak in this text?
    • It seems that Jews throughout the nation were mourning, and yet Esther seems to have no idea what is going on. What does this tell you about her situation?
  • What is Mordecai’s first command to Esther?
Pray in Adoration / Confession / Supplication

ESTHER’S SECOND COMMAND & MORDECAI’S RESPONSE: Read Esther 4:9-14

  • What does Esther command Hathak to tell Mordecai?
  • What does her explanation tell you about her position at court and her character so far in the story?
  • How does Mordecai respond to Esther’s command?
  • What does his response tell you about his worldview/faith?
Pray in Adoration / Confession / Supplication

ESTHER’S THIRD COMMAND & MORDECAI’S RESPONSE: Read Esther 4:15-17

  • What does Esther command “them” to tell Mordecai? What does she ask Mordecai to do?
  • What does she intend to do?
  • Why do people fast? Read 2 Samuel 12:15-23 for other instances when people have responded in this fashion. What are they indicating by their actions?
  • What is Mordecai’s response to her final command?
Pray in Adoration / Confession / Supplication

HIDDEN GOD: Read Esther 4:1-17 (or simply reflect on the whole chapter)

As we mentioned earlier, the book of Esther does not mention God and yet this chapter contains hints that they were depending on him, and crying out to him to some degree in 4:3,14,16.
  • Review what you learn in these 3 verses.
Think of a situation in which you feel powerless or a situation which overwhelms you.
  • What steps can you make to turn towards God in this situation?
  • In verse 14, Mordecai seems to be expressing belief in God’s providence over their situation. What would it look like for you to live out your belief in God’s providence over your situation?
Pray in Adoration / Confession / Supplication