Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School class, December 23, 2023.

Main Theme: The story of Esther shows how God’s people, even in foreign environments, can witness for truth.

Read in Class: Esther 2:5-10. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: What do these verses tell us about the situation of Mordecai and Esther? Why did Mordecai tell Esther not to reveal her Jewish identity?

Apply: What circumstances would it be prudent not to be open about your faith? Or should we never hide who we are? See Why did Jesus tell the Demons not to Tell Everyone He was the Son of God?

Share: Your friend says that Mordecai not wanting people to know who Esther was showed a lack of faith. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Esther 3:1-15. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What is happening here and why?

Apply: In what ways, even now, might we be tested, like Mordecai? 

Share: Your friend says the it seems like Mordecai was escalating the situation between him and Haman? Why couldn’t Mordecai have been a peace maker and just humbly bowed to Haman to show a little respect? Why did he have to create such a huge confrontation and put the lives of his people in peril? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Esther 4:8-14. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: Why was it considered appropriate at this time for Esther to identify herself as a Jew?

Apply: For the Jews in such a situation as described above, prayer would certainly accompany fasting. That is, though they acted in their own behalf, prayer was central to their response. What obvious lesson can we take from this?

Share: Your friend asks why Mordecai would put Esther in such a dangerous situation? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Esther 9:1-12. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What was the result of Esther’s effort?

Challenge: Pray that God will give you the courage to share something He has done for you with one of the people on your prayer list this week.

Challenge Up: Begin a diary or journal of special little things (or big things) that God does for you. Review it and pray that God will bring these things to your mind at just the right time so you can share them with someone.