Understanding The Esther Generation. RCCG YAYA Manual

OPENING PRAYER: Father, please position me for greatness in life.

MEMORY VERSE: “I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and I perish, I perish” – Esther 4:16b (NKJV)

BIBLE PASSAGE: Esther 2:5-17
5 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;
6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.
8 So it came to pass when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.
10 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.
11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.
12 Now when every maid’s turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of there purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)
13 Than thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house.
14 In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.
15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.

INTRODUCTION
Esther, the main character in the book of Esther, was an orphan raised by her uncle, Mordecai (Esther 2:5-7). Her Hebrew name is Hadassah which means ‘myrlte’ – Rosy flower (Esther 2:7). Esther’s story and life is a case of humility, obedience, divine substitution, great favour, sacrifice and divine intervention, such that youths should learn from.

Text Review: Esther 2:5-17
A. In this passage, the Bible narrates:
i. The genealogy of a man called Mordecai. – v5
ii. Mordecai’s great grandfather was among the captives in Babylon in the days of Nebuchadnezzar. – v6
iii. Mordecai brought up Hadassah that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter because she was an orphan. v7
iv. When the king launched a Hunt to fill the vacant post of a queen, Esther……….. v8a
B. Esther was put in the care of Hegai the custodian of the women……………….. v8b
i. Esther ……………………………………… v9a
ii. Hegai ……………………………………… v9b
iii. ………………………………………………. v9c
iv. ………………………………………………. v9d
v. ……………………………………………….. v10
C. Mordecai………………………………….. v11
D. ………………………………………………. v12-14
E. When the turn came for Esther to go into the king, she
i. …………………………………………………. v15a
ii. ………………………………………………… v15b
F. Esther ………………………………………… v16
G. The king:
i. ………………………………………………… v17a
ii. ………………………………………………… v17b
iii. ……………………………………………….. v17c

LESSON OUTLINES

1. THE SPIRIT OF ESTHER
2. LESSONS FROM HER LIFE

THE SPIRIT OF ESTHER
The teacher should allow the class to discuss the characters and achievements of Esther as a youth. He should guide the class through the points

A. Esther’s Character:
i. She became the queen of Persia in B.C 478, even a stranger in the land of captivity (Esther 2:17).
ii. She was a woman of faith and courage. This is evident in the way she handled the news of the death sentence resulting from Haman’s fury (Esther 4:16).
iii. She portrayed a selfless and sacrificial character that stood in the gap for her helpless kinsmen. She was willing to give her life in an attempt to save the Jews (Esther 4:16b).
iv. She was not driven with Zeal but rather, her faith in God gave her confidence.

Esther’s achievements:
i. Esther prayed, fasted and made the great sacrifice (Esther 5:1-4).
ii. She saved the Jews from the massacre planned by Harman (Esther 8:3-13).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: The teacher should ask the youths if they can take such a risk in the context of ‘if I perish, I perish in order to achieve an uncommon goal.

LESSONS FROM HER LIFE

The teacher should ask the class to discuss the remarkable lessons youths should learn from the life of Esther
A. Esther was from the ‘less privileged’ family group in Persia (Esther 2:21). Yet, she did not write herself off.
B. She contested for the position of a queen with everyone else, even as a foreigner.
C. Do not look down on yourself (1Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:15). You can do all thing through the power of the Holy Spirit in you (Phillip 4:13, 2Cor. 12:9).
D. Moreover:

1. Esther became popular for being a resourceful and confident problem solver (Esther 8:3-13). Youths should not see themselves as weaklings, dependent and liabilities (Phillip 2:13, 4:13). They must be bold to face the challenges of life (Prov 28:1)
2. Esther was obedient to a godly leader. Esther obeyed Mordecai in detail. Experienced godly leaders and matured Christian mentors are needed in the journey of life (Esther 4:13-16; 1Cor. 11:1)
3. Just as Esther used the correct manner of approach to gain the attention and favour of the King, youths should also approach God or their leaders rightly to gain attention and favour (Psalm 100:4; Proverbs 24:3). God’s favour is highly required for breakthrough (Esther 2:9,17).
4. When we need help, God is more than willing to help us if we ask him rightly (Isaiah 41:13, James 4:3). Faith and courage will often bring to us the things that we need (Matthew 21:22).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: What are you doing presently to be outstanding in your academics, career, business, sports ministry, youth fellowship, etc?

SUMMARY: The spirit of Esther is a dogged attempt to achieve an uncommon goal in the midst of difficult circumstances.
CONCLUSION: Regardless of your family or socio-economic background, God can make a great person out of you.

CLOSING PRAYER: Father, please give me the courage to achieve an uncommon goal in my generation.

ASSIGNMENT: When you find yourself in a leadership position, what are the five (5) germane issues you will address as a Christian youth?

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