The book of esther is one of the most exciting books in all the old testament and is nearly unique in employing a woman as its leading character. The book of esther is not mentioned elsewhere in the old testament, nor anywhere in the new testament, and is the only book that has no trace in the dead sea scrolls. Lesson 1 i cant even begin to tell you how excited i am to study the ook of ruth with you. This study was adapted from a study written by the chi alpha. The preservation of the jews church of christ zion. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The book is set during the period after the babylonian exile in which the nation of persia present day iran ruled judah. Here are five leadership lessons from the book of esther. It is found, however, in the septuagint, the greek translation of the hebrew scriptures made 200 years before christ. The book starts telling how king ahasuerus got angry with his wife, the queen. Though absent by name from the pages of this particular book of jewish history, god is present in every scene and in the movement of every event, until he ultimately and finally brings everything to a marvelous climax as he proves himself lord of. The questions contain minimal human commentary, but instead urge students to study to understand scripture. This workbook was designed for bible class study, family study, or personal study.
My free soap study worksheet with instructions and free indepth bible verse worksheet. Esther, a beautiful jewish orphan, is taken into the palace. This lesson picks up where yesterdays lesson on vashti left off the nation of judah has been taken into captivity, first by babylon esther 2. Artaxerxes this man was son of xerxes and stepson of esther. And interestingly, this proved to be one of the best decisions i made in recent times as i began to take notes on leadership. The book of esther provides many biblical lessons that can be applied towards life today. His persian name, spelled in english letters, reads thus. The book of esther, like much of the bible, tells the story of gods involvement with.
Hence it belongs to the bestknown otbooks with the jews and it is also the book, which has the oldest copies. The purpose of this pap er is to examine the book of esther in search o f the lessons about leadership that can be derived from thi s stor y. As we shall see in the sections to follow, the book of esther provides valuable insights for those interested in examples of how. Ahasuerus orders the queen vashti to display her beauty before the guests. The book of esther never mentions god by name, there is never the word prayer uttered, and the only spiritual discipline that is mentioned is fasting but that never says anything about prayer and fasting. The book of esther has great historical value because it falls in a period of history where some of the decisive events that would determine the future destiny of western civilization.
Have you ever wondered if god is really involved in the circumstances of your life. Fulfilling lifes mission introduction why read this book. There are several beautiful and encouraging bible verses from the book of esther. Today we begin our study of the book of esther, in earnest. Boxes of small paper bathroom cups get at least a box per youth you expect king and queen costumes wigs, etc. Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned. The book of esther gives hope and confidence to anyone who needs to know that god is present. My favorite female bible character is esther, and im excited to say that there is a brandnew bible study coming soon. A surgical gown or some type of clothing which could be easily torn.
Ezra 7 begins in the seventh year of artaxerxes i longimanus i. Xerxes this is the ahasuerus of the book of esther. All of these teachings are powerful and depict true courage and devotion. Ive shared a downloadable printable pdf for you containing some of these verses. Esther a2 classic bible study guide 2 introduction the book of esther is a graphic narrative, which relates how gods people were preserved from ruin during the fifth century b. The story gives us six powerful lessons about courage, divine timing and gods supreme love. With scripture passages, inspirational pdf readings, questions to answer, space for journaling, and a prayer, its like studying the bible with max lucado. When it was read in the synagogue during the feast of purim a. It is a syroarabian modification of the persian word satarah, which means a star.
Even though the name of god is not mentioned, divine providence is to be seen throughout this book. In the book of jonah, he used a storm to convince the fleeing prophet, jonah 1. But while the characters might resemble a fairy tale, the book of esther depicts actual events that shaped jewish history and instituted the festival of purim. Print them and use them in your war binder, bible journaling or consider verse mapping them. Esther bible study with free printable bible study guide.
God wants to use us right where we are for this time. The book of esther, which is the seventeenth book of the old testament and is after nehemiah in the bible, has ten chapt. One of the clear lessons from this book is that god is in the details. The book of esther may remind you of a classic, once upon a time childrens story with a wealthy king, his beautiful queen, and an evil villain.
He eventually chose esther as his queen, and by her influence the jews were saved from destruction. Weve created a 10day study guide for you, each day working through a chapter of the exciting story of esther. Scripture says mordecai recorded certain events in order to relate them to jews throughout the kingdom see esth. The time of this book seems to have been between 486 b. I had planned to write this lesson my first week, but i felt so much opposition from the enemy that i tabled it for a few weeks, waiting until the warfare had lifted and i could hear from the holy spirit. Early jewish and christian traditions suggest that among the people named in the book, mordecai, esthers cousin and guardian, was in the best position to record the events. Studying the book of esther is well worth your time. The events recorded in this book took place in the reign of ahasuerus, otherwise called. You can work through this bible study on your own or with your small group, and you can go through this in ten days, or over a tenweek or semester long schedule. Have you ever said something that you wish you had not. Esther 12 ask the kids to find the book of esther in their bibles kbc study bible, page 5. As for esther, we are taught that sometimes we have to face life with couragebut god gives us the strength.
Now, because of my interest in team dynamics and the perception of females in leadership position, i settled into the book of esther in no time. At first glance, esther doesnt seem to be queen material. This study guide on the book of esther was written by thomas klock of harvest christian fellowship in 2005. She was a jewess named hadassah the myrtle, but when she entered the royal harem she received the name by which she henceforth became known esther 2. Early jewish and christian traditions suggest that among the people named in the book, mordecai, esther s cousin and guardian, was in the best position to record the events. Esther was a queen of persia approximately 2,500 years ago. The purpose of this paper is to examine the book of esther in search of the lessons about leadership that can be derived from this story. Or have you have been on the receiving end of a biting or thoughtless comment, and have felt wounded or slandered. Outline of the book with questions for each section. The bible book of esther is a dramatic account which can give us insight into gods special and purposeful plan for our lives. A story of the providence of god in a pagan land page 4 introduction to the book the book of esther is the only book in the bible that does not mention the name of god.
The pomp and drunken revelry of the first scene has died down. H ere are 5 important lessons that i learned from the book of esther silence doesnt mean its not there. Another biblical theme in the book of esther is divine providence follows people god that use to serve his purposes, jonah 1. The book of esther is unique in that it is one of the only two books in the bible named for women. She was orphaned and then adopted and raised by her cousin, a single parent. The lesson here is that even though there is no mention of god or of prayer, we know that gods hand was on esther and on mordecai and that his divine timing is. An overview of the books of exodus and leviticus, with a series of 20 questions for each of the 26 lessons in this free bible class book pdf file size. The future of europe was settled in two decisive battles fought during this period of time. The book takes its name from the beautiful, orphaned jewess who became the queen of the persian king ahasuerus. Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch. Bible study guide for esther, old testament david padfield. The book of esther in the bible is a dramatic account which can give us insight into gods special and purposeful plan for our lives. There are like 40 different amazing truths from the blessed book of esther.
Explain that todays bible connection covers almost the entire book. Not only is it a great story with all the drama and elements that a novel would contain, but it contains great lessons about how we should be living, conducting ourselves on the job, facing opposition, facing success, and looking ahead confidently to the future. Exploring the text esther becomes queen read esther 2. She finds favor in the kings eyes, and is made his new queen. The examples of esther and her cousin mordecai can teach us much, as can other principles we can draw from their experiences, and help us to make a difference for god in our world. The unfolding events throughout this esther bible study include conniving strategies, death threats and plot twists will leave you anxious to know what is going to happen next. Its one of the most beautiful books in the bible and so full of great takeaways for the modern christian woman today.
213 1117 492 1384 723 1444 1322 791 1265 353 1191 753 88 1584 956 747 819 1257 317 281 186 667 597 827 1423 571 370 1393 785 369 880 387 447 309 278 532 1202