1. Randolph, Travis C.
8 November 2015
WHCC Sunday School
Esther
Week 1
I. Goal/Learning Objective:
At the completion of this lesson, attendees will be able:
a. To identify key players in the story of Esther
b. To understand how Esther plays into the Old Testament Cannon
c. To understand why Esther is important to us today
II. Main Message:
The story of Esther is one that teaches us how to live in a society that is going
down hill. Esther models for us the characteristics necessary for survival in
a precarious world: by working within the system, she makes the system
work for her.
III. Additional Concepts:
Attendees will need to be hungry for learning.
IV. Learning Experiences:
a. Take a Survey of what people already know about Esther (5-10 Mins)
b. Take a Survey of what people want to learn from Esther (5-10 mins)
c. Show the Map
i. Specifically show where Moab is to be able to show how
Esther is a Moabite
ii. Show where the Book of Esther takes place
d. Go over main “Characters” of the story (5-10 minutes)
e. Talk about Esther in relation to the OT Cannon (10-15 minutes)
f. Close by Talking about why Esther is important to us today. (<5 mins)
V. Modifications:
Students who are hard of hearing may need to sit closer to instructor.
VI. Resources:
I will need:
a. The Map of the OT
b. Bible
c. Coffee
VII. Assessment:
I will assess the attendees on their ability to participate in the lesson
actively, their ability to formulate questions, and their ability to articulate
what is important to them.
VIII. Rationale:
My rationale for choosing the book of Esther is for the attendees to become
more familiar with and identify with the OT. My rationale for this specific
overview lesson is to provide an atmosphere of exegesis, so that the
attendees will connect with the text and be able to have a background of
Esther before diving into the scripture itself.

2. Each Week:
 Each Week, as we read through the book of Esther, we will recap the week
previous ( so it is imperitive and for your benefit to re-read and pray over
that scripture and bring what you’ve experienced to the next class) and share
our experiences with the scripture from that week.
 Each week we will also always ask clarifying questions if there is something
we don’t know, but understand that I am not giving “answers” but exploring
this text with you. This will help us move forward and will place an added
responsibility on you all to read the text and take ownership of being a
‘theologian’.
 Each week the instructor will provide the text for the class. You are all
encouraged to bring your bibles, of course, but I would like all of us to work
from the same text and without footnotes so that we don’t become reliant
upon them. This also will free us up to underline, highlight, and write down
thoughts, etc. that you might have or hear from others.
 Each week, upon reading the scripture, the class will always keep question
words in mind
o Who are the characters in this story? (ex. Esther, King Xerxes, etc.)
o What is happening in this story? (Queen Vashti refuses to visit Xerxes)
o Where is this taking place? (Temple courts, etc.)
o When is this taking place? (“Days of Ahasuerus…”)
o Why is this taking place? (Because…)
o How does this relate to what we have read in prior weeks, to the Old
Testament, and to our lives as contemporary Christians? (Before Esther
was…now she is…Esther fits into this part of scripture…)
 Each week we will learn from each other. While the instructor will facilitate
the lesson and will make sure we continue on at a manageable speed,
ultimately we are learning from each other. The facilitator’s job is to set the
class up to succeed.

3. 8 November
(main) Characters in Esther:
 King Xerxes
o Persian king (486-465)
o Powerful, witless
 Queen Vashti
o Queen
o Independent
 Mordacai
o Uncle to Esther
o Wise and righteous
 Esther
o Wise and righteous
o Up-and-comer/rags-to-riches queen
 Haman the Agagite
o Antagonist
o Cunning
 Jews
o The Hebrew people
o Gods chosen.
Esther in Relation to the OT & Bible
“The great paradox of Esther is that God is omnipotently present even where God is
most conspicuously absent. Jesus’ last words were, “Go and make disciples of all
nations….And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28-19-
20). And then, ironically, he left! Nevertheless, our Lord is omnipotently present
even where he is most conspicuously absent. Karen Jobes, Esther, p. 49.
• Ultimately, being a Jew means being the presence of YHWH in the world. We
look in vain to find his name in Esther because his identity is joined to that of
his people.”
• “Esther then, is an affirmation of Jewish hope apart from returning to
Jerusalem. Exile is not just a temporary state of punishment; it is a legitimate
place in which to anticipate prosperity and (divine) blessing.”
Where/When
 During Babylonian Exile 586 BCE
 Persia
Questions to think on before we Start on 22 Sunday
 Does God need to be mentioned to be present?
 What does it mean to bear the image of God without explicitly speaking of
God?
 How do we serve God in a pagan/non-believing setting?
Homework:
 Read Esther 1 AND ONLY ESTHER 1
 Bring two or three questions you may have