Confirmation Lesson
Esther
Opening Prayer
Take a piece of paper and trace your hand onto the paper. In the traced hand, write a few things you can do this week to help another person.
Then pray:

Lord God, you have given us talents and abilities to be your hands in the world. Help us share our faith with others and serve others with love and compassion. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Esther

Esther is one of the great stories in the Bible, with a plot that has many twists and turns, interesting characters, and an ending that makes you feel good.
What kind of book is it? Find it below.
When in History Are We?
The events described in Esther took place between 487 and 465 B.C.
Note that this is around the same time that Ezra and Nehemiah have moved with the tribe of Judah back to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and temple after the Babylonian Exile.
The Jews where Esther is did not return to Jerusalem. They have settled and stayed in Persia in Susa. Susa was in the region of modern-day Iran.
Esther
Check out the amazing story of Esther!
What words would you use to describe Esther?
What do you think?...

  • Esther was the newly appointed queen when she discovered that the king had ordered the destruction of the Jewish people. What did Mordecai ask her to do, and what was the risk to her?
  • Who are the people you most admire in this story? Why? How would you describe them—what are their identities?
  • Who are the villains and heroes in this story?
  • How did good win out over evil?
  • What kind of evil happens in the world today? What happens if Christians are silent about this evil?
  • How can Christians speak out against evil? Encourage students to think about how they can speak out about their faith in school, at home, and in their communities.
Despair
When things start to go wrong for us, and it seems as if they just keep getting worse, we may get discouraged and lose all sense of hope. We despair, and our despair feeds on itself to pull us down even further until there seems to be no way out. Esther and Mordecai must have felt despair along with all the Jews that were living in exile. 
  • How do we try to prevent that from happening?
  • What part does prayer play in the answer?
The sixth petition (part) of the Lord's Prayer says "Lead us not into temptation".

We pray that God would watch over us so that we are not drawn into such things as false belief and despair, no matter how attractive the temptation may be. God doesn’t say there will be no temptations, but God shows us grace every day by rescuing us when we need to be pulled out of our despair.
7 Degrees of Jesus
Esther doesn't even mention God! So what does the book of Esther and the stories told within it have to do with us and our faith?
Quiz Time!
Let's see what you remember from Esther.
True or False... write your answers on your attendance makeup form.

1. Esther is a book in the New Testament.

2. Esther was a prophet sent by God to the nation of Israel.

3. Xerxes discovered a plot to kill King Mordecai.

4. Haman was a wicked man who wanted to kill the Jews.

5. By speaking up, Esther made a good choice for the Jewish people.

6. Haman was too proud to beg for mercy from Queen Esther.

7. In an ironic twist, Haman was hanged on the gallows he built to hang Mordecai.

8. The hero of the story is a woman, which was unusual for the time when this story was written.
Take a look at the hand you traced earlier. When you think of all that Esther did, do you think you could do what you have put down on that hand?

What can you do on a daily basis to care for those around you? Could you start each day pondering what you can do to make the world a different place?

Put your hand outline somewhere you can see it every morning to remind you to spread God's love and help one another to make the world a better place for ALL.
Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts, you can email Leisha at ltays@oursaviourslc.org