Esther, while a queen, lived as an outsider in a hostile environment. The book of esther is a beautiful story of one woman who courageously gave of herself for the will of god and his people. It relates the story of a hebrew woman in persia, born as hadassah but known as esther, who becomes queen of persia and thwarts a genocide. The bible book of esther is a dramatic account which can give us insight into gods special and purposeful plan for our lives. As a facilitator and study leader, his material encourages me in deeper research and preparation. Esther a persian word meaning star is the more familiar name of a jewish girl named hadassah which is hebrew for myrtle.
This is like a special funfact not many people notice about the book of esther. The beautiful esther, who also has the hebrew name hadassah which means myrtle esther 2. It is one of the five scrolls megillot in the hebrew bible. Ruth and esther macarthur bible studies book 9 kindle. A comprehensive versebyverse exploration of the bible participant book, large print genesis to revelation series brady whitehead abingdon press 2019 trade paperback. God masterfully orchestrates and weaves together every detail of our lives in jawdropping ways. The book takes its name from the beautiful, orphaned jewess who became the queen of the persian king ahasuerus. Bobdeffinbaugh graduated from dallas theological seminary with his th. Esther bible study free bible study guide and introduction time. Although we do not know who wrote the book of esther, from internal evidence it is possible to make some inferences about the author and the date of composition.
On march 20th, the study begins and its absolutely free. The story gives us six powerful lessons about courage, divine. In this sixweek study, explore the subject of gods providence, walking verse by verse through the book of esther. The seventeenth book of the ot in the traditional english order. Thus the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. Esther group bible study book this is a sixsession study that tells the story of esther, a woman who was used of god to stand against unholy people to preserve the jewish people and their culture and tradition. Outline of the book with questions for each section color cover. Unlike the many other books in the bible, throughout whole book of esther, the word god is not mentioned once. Discover the power that a single individual can have when used by god.
Provide each person with the participants guide, included at the end of this study. Fulfilling lifes mission we flounder without a mission leaders guide part 1 identify the issue note to leader. 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. According to the ryrie study bible the events of this book cover a 10 year period 483473 bc during the reign of xerxes i 486465 bc. Yet, though this is true in one sense, there is more to it than that. The book is set during the period after the babylonian exile in which the nation of persia present day iran ruled judah. Listen to this description in the five megilloth, a jewish commentary published by the soncino press. The book of esther is one of only two books in the bible named for women.
Ruth and esther macarthur bible studies book 9 kindle edition by macarthur, john f download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Estherhelps you know and apply the encouraging and empowering truth of gods word. 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. God works so that a young jewish woman becomes the queen of king ahasuerus or xerxes i. Harem politics, antisemitism, and an audacious jewish heroine combine to make this story from the later persian period early 4th cent. Esther bible study book of esther bible study lifeway. Herbert lockyer describes her as the woman who saved her nation from genocide. Bob is a pastorteacher and elder at community bible chapel in richardson, texas, and has contributed many of his bible study series for use by the foundation. All of these teachings are powerful and depict true courage and devotion.
With scripture memory, daily study, and group discussion questions. With scripture memory, daily study, and group discussion questions, this resource is ideal for both individual and group study. 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. In the story of esther, youll meet a beautiful, young queen who risked her life to serve god and save her people. Well, i can now tell you that i have found you the particularly nasty villain you have been.
Study scripture verses with commentary, concordances, and use highlighting, underlining, take notes in the bible. We offer sermons, sermon outlines, books, prayers, bible studies and more on topics such as christian living, marriage, discipleship, and spiritual growth, as. When i wrote my study on the book of ruth 1, i started by saying that it was a fantastic book that had it all well, apart from a nasty villain, but we cant ask for everything. Esther is the only book in the bible not to mention the name of god. Esther saves the life of mordecai and her jewish people. Book of esther read, study bible verses online bible study tools. Weve created a 10day study guide for you, each day working through a chapter of the exciting story of esther. 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. Actually, there are only two books in the bible named for women. Although no meaning is attached to his name in strongs concordance due to its nonhebrew origin, willmingtons complete guide to bible knowledge states it means dedicated to mars. Esther bible study chapter 2 the preperation for the king. God saves the jews esther the book of esther easyenglish bible god is in control esther a commentary by robert bryce short outline of esther. The story relates the intrigues and adventures that took place in xerxes court as a jewish exile named esther was. Outline of the book with questions for each section.
God directs this material universe in which we live today by his providence. The first study concerned the invitation of the king. Learn more helps for ministering during covid19 bible studies old testament studies. Esther is a young and beautiful jewish girl, orphaned but cared for by her. The events in the book take place from 483 bc to 473 bc, during the first half of the reign of king xerxes. The chosen life studies in the book of esther keywords. Esther bible study with free printable bible study guide.
Lesson seven, esther 7, the chosen life, for such a time as this, harvest christian fellowship, leah case, studies in the book of esther, esther, bible, study, womens bible fellowships, harvest online. Esther is the last of the historical books of the bible, so its main character is named esther that is, venus, the morning star, which sheds its light after all the others stars have ceased to shine, and while the sun still delays to rise. You will also find options for commentaries on esther that help pastors, teachers, and readers with application of the bible, commentaries that approach the scripture versebyverse, classic christian commentaries, and much more. Bible studies in the book of esther esther chapter 2. 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. The study extends for only three weeks, so there is no longterm commitment. Book of esther overview insight for living ministries. Esther bible study part 1 the story of esther is one of the most exciting and inspiring in all the word of god. Watch our overview video on the book of esther, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. This revised lifeguide bible study features questions for starting group discussions and for meeting god in personal reflection, together with expanded leaders notes and a now or later section in each study. The book of esther, also known in hebrew as the scroll megillah, is a book in the third section ketuvim, writings of the jewish tanakh the hebrew bible and in the christian old testament. Fulfilling lifes mission this study takes an indepth look at how to fulfill gods mission for our lives. The genre of the book of esther is narrative history.
John macarthur is a stimulating, thoughtful, and insightful bible commentator. Something i hesitate to do in this current seasonread more. The author is unknown, but some biblical scholars conclude that it was mordecai, himself, who wrote the book of esther. Esther bible study will give you a threepart look at the book of the bible that bears her name, and at its title character. A 10session study from beth moore the old testament story of esther is a profile in courage and contains many modern parallels for todays overloaded and stressed woman. The role of a lifetime by pam gibbs is a 6session bible study for. Esther bible study journal we live in a day when it is important to be strong and brave and stand up for what is right.
This second study involves the preparation for the king. Study guide for esther 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. Home bible book studies bible characters old testament esther. It is clear that the author was a jew, both from his emphasis on the origin of a jewish festival and from the jewish nationalism that permeates the story. Esther was the queen of persian king ahasuerus, and also a jew. Best esther commentaries updated for 2020 best bible. The book of esther provides many biblical lessons that can be applied towards life today. Studying the book of esther is well worth your time. Esther bible study chapter 1 the invitation of the king. The woman great beauty, undoubted cleverness, and remarkable courage. While the author of the book of esther is uncertain, some have suggested that it may have been written by mordecai a character we will become acquainted with later in the book somewhere around 465 bc.
Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p. She used her influence at just the right time to save her people from annihilation when evil haman sought to destroy the. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. Bible studies in the book of esther jesus plus nothing.
Bible studies in the book of esther esther chapter 1. His studies are preferred for individual and group studies. Back in deuteronomy, before god brought the israelites into the promised land, he outlined their history for them. Now i hope and trust you have accepted the first and are prepared for the second. Esther helps you know and apply the encouraging and empowering truth of gods word. She becomes the queen five years before she is needed. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading ruth and esther macarthur bible studies book 9. The book describes a mortal conflict between haman, the enemy of the jews, and a jew called mordecai. It is believed to have been written between 464330 bc. The book of esther is a fastmoving narrative of events that took place during the reign of a persian king, xerxes. The book of esther gives hope and confidence to anyone who needs to know that god is present, powerful, and personal.
1396 285 940 1077 630 1198 1611 917 1016 987 972 1385 934 33 667 890 1197 500 1547 772 341 171 409 509 428 466 645 1148 223 556 89 568 622 171 1010