Esther Bible Study
Discover Christ in the Story of Esther
Embark on the extraordinary journey of Esther with “Discovering Christ in the Story of Esther,” an illuminating Bible study penned by New York Times best-selling author, Darlene Schacht. This comprehensive guide unveils the profound echoes of Christ’s love and redemption interwoven in this captivating Old Testament account.
Schacht takes readers on a chapter-by-chapter exploration, unearthing timeless spiritual wisdom and the intricate divine orchestration in the lives of Esther and Mordecai. Each section presents thought-provoking questions designed to deepen your understanding and spur personal reflection. Alongside these, you’ll discover a treasure trove of intriguing facts, offering fresh insights into the historical and cultural context of the story.
More than an academic exploration, this study fosters an intimate space for readers to find personal relevance and strengthen their faith through these ancient narratives. With particular emphasis on the significant correlations between Esther’s story and the gospel message—most notably revealed in Chapter 8—Schacht reimagines Scripture in a transformative new light.
“Discovering Christ in the Story of Esther” is more than a Bible study—it’s an invitation to dig into the heart of God’s salvation plan, mirrored in an ancient narrative. Perfect for both individual reflection and group study, this guide is designed to take you deeper into the Book of Esther, showcasing it as a testament to God’s boundless love and redemptive power. Embark on this enriching journey today, and encounter Scripture as you never have before.
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CHAPTER 1
PART 1
Includes a video for Chapter 1, this week’s Bible verse, self reflection questions for the week, and Darlene’s opening thoughts on Chapter 1.
CHAPTER 1
PART 2
In our closing thoughts on Chapter 1, we talk about the providence of God and how every decision we make, every step we take, is woven into a pattern far more beautiful and intricate than we can possibly comprehend.
CHAPTER 2
PART 1
Includes a video for Chapter 1, this week’s Bible verse, self reflection questions for the week, and Darlene’s opening thoughts on Chapter 2.
CHAPTER 2
PART 2
As we studied Esther Chapter 2 this week, we were introduced to the 12-month process Esther went through before being chosen as queen. While we touched on this topic in the study guide, I wanted to expand a bit more on it today, drawing deeper connections throughout Scripture.
CHAPTER 3
PART 1
Chapter 3 serves not as a lecture, but as a kind-hearted nudge. It prompts us to reflect on why we do what we do. Are we genuinely seeking connection, growth, and understanding? Or are we unknowingly looking for an audience to applaud and affirm us?
CHAPTER 3
PART 2
As we draw the curtains on the third week of our study on the Book of Esther, our hearts are filled with insights and reflections. The vivid portrayal of Haman and Mordecai in Chapter 3 peels back the layers to reveal the multifaceted nature of human pride.
CHAPTER 4
PART 1
In our video a couple of weeks ago, Karissa stirred our minds with a deeply meaningful idea: handing over a blank cheque to God. The idea of a cheque symbolizes our readiness to let God, with His steadfast hand, sketch out our life’s story in ways we may not foresee but will always bring beauty and growth. This reflects our unwavering faith and wholehearted surrender to His Divine guidance.
CHAPTER 4
PART 2
When Mordecai, warns Esther, “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape” (Esther 4:13, NIV), he draws a line in the sand. It is a stark reminder that physical presence in a place of honor or sanctity does not guarantee spiritual safety.
CHAPTER 5
PART 1
This week we dig into Esther Chapter 5, where patience takes center stage. Esther’s careful approach to the king, her thoughtful planning of the feast, and her willingness to wait for the right moment to reveal her request are lessons in patient trust and strategic action. In a world that often pushes us to rush and react, Esther’s story is a soothing balm, reminding us of the strength found in quiet confidence and divine timing.
CHAPTER 5
PART 2
On the third day, Esther puts on her royal robes, and this moment takes on profound significance. Just as Esther rises, so too are we called to rise with Christ after we have died to ourselves. It’s a new beginning filled with grace, a reflection of our spiritual resurrection in Christ.
CHAPTER 6
PART 1
The stage is set in a palace filled with schemes, but God’s hand moves with purpose and precision. It’s here that we encounter Mordecai and Haman, two men who couldn’t be more different. This chapter, then, becomes a living portrait of James 4:6, which tells us that ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
CHAPTER 6
PART 2
Have you ever had one of those days when it feels like the world is against you? Maybe it’s a harsh comment from a co-worker, a setback in a project you’re passionate about, or a betrayal that leaves you questioning your self-worth. On days like that, it’s easy to feel like we’re backed into a corner with no hope in sight. But here’s the thing about God—He’s an expert at flipping the script when we least expect it. Think of it this way: When life writes you into a corner, remember God holds the pen, and He loves a plot twist.
CHAPTER 7
PART 1
As I got to thinking about Esther Chapter 7 today and how she must have felt at the banquet that night, I was reminded of a women’s conference I attended a few years ago. I remember walking into that event, a room full of faces, and feeling completely out of place. It seemed as if every woman there fit the mold except for me. As the weekend unfolded, however, I discovered something remarkable—I wasn’t the only one feeling that way. In fact, many women were carrying around the same quiet feeling of not quite fitting in.
CHAPTER 7
PART 2
Sometimes the most significant moments in life are the ones that catch us off guard. The days when we’re courageous enough to take off our masks and stand face to face with our fear. Such is the lesson we learn from Chapter 7 as Esther humbly stands before King Ahasuerus, revealing both her concealed identity as a Jew and Haman’s devious scheme to annihilate her people. She’s not merely asking for mercy; she’s putting her life and the fate of her people on the line.
CHAPTER 8
PART 1
As we open our Bibles this week, we encounter a heavenly turn of events that foreshadows the ultimate divine reversal on the Cross. In this pivotal chapter, Esther and Mordecai are granted the authority to rewrite the edict that had doomed the Jews. With the king’s seal, they send out a new decree that allows their people not just to survive but to defend themselves against their enemies. It’s a striking transformation from despair to hope, similar to how the Cross led to the New Testament. Where the first edict spelled death for the Jews, this new decree breathed life into their future.
CHAPTER 8
PART 2
When Jesus died on the Cross, He gave us a new covenant, freeing us from the condemnation of sin. Given this profound truth, why do we still wrestle with sin? If Jesus conquered Satan, why are we still fighting against evil? The answer lies in understanding our freedom.
CHAPTER 9/10
PART 1
There’s something about darkness that puts a little fear in all of us. It represents the unknown, a space where anything could happen. It’s unsettling at times, full of possibilities we’d rather not consider. That’s where Esther was in this story—at the doorway of a dark room unsure where the next step would lead. “If I perish, I perish” reflects a deep understanding of that uncertainty.
CHAPTER 9/10
PART 2
As we conclude our study on the Book of Esther, I’m struck by a particular detail that could easily be overlooked. In Chapter 9, after the Jewish people, led by Esther and Mordecai, secure a profound victory over their enemies, they rest. Remarkably, the word ‘rest’ appears four times in this chapter alone, emphasizing its spiritual significance. It serves as a warm reminder that in the midst of life’s battles and victories, rest—both spiritual and eternal—is at the heart of God’s providence and grace.