1. CHARACTER UNDER PRESSURE
Esther 9-10

2. Announcements! NOVEMBER 17: THANKSGIVING SOCIAL
LAST KH MEETING UNTIL NEXT SEMESTER!
FOOD SIGN UPS!
CHRISTMAS SOCIAL (TBA ON GROUPME)
T-SHIRTS (ENDS NOV 21)
FUNDRAISING (TBA ON GROUPME)

3. KAHOOT!

4. ONE aWORD ONE WORD to describe the book of Esther.
Instead of one word for the chapters, I want to hear one word you think to describe what you’ve learned through reading this book.
For me, “present”

5. True Homie (Esther 9:1-6)
Why do you think the people who stood against the Jews were afraid of them?
Romans 8:31
Have you experienced a moment where you realized God had your back?
Why don’t we normally think it’s God who has our backs?
It’s D-day, the time the jews enemies have been waiting for. Unfortunately because of Persian law, previous laws CANNOT be reversed, BUT, with the power and respect Mordecai has gained from the King and Esther being the queen and most importantly the intervention from God, they are able to add laws which was letting the Jews fight back if engaged by their enemies.
But the craziest thing to me was in verse 2 “No one could stand against them, because the people of all the other nationalities were afraid of them”
Why do you think the people who stood against the jews were afraid of them?
It didn’t really say why they were afraid, but we can see that it’s God who is instilling fear into their hearts
”What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31
Have you experienced a moment where you realized God had your back?
I feel like we have way too many moments God had our backs and we just never realized it
Why don’t we normally think it’s God who has our backs? Our first thought is, “Luck is on my side today” “I’m lucky today”
This “destruction day” has turned into “deliverance day” all thanks to God.

6. If it’s in His Will, it will be done (Esther 9:7-14)
Do you know what God has promised for you?
Has it been fulfilled? Or are you still waiting?
If you’re still waiting, what has God shown you?
1 Samuel 12:16
Why is it so hard for us to put our “selves” to death for victory to be accomplished?
Parshandatha
“curious self”/”I am curious”
Dalphon
“weeping self”/“self pity”
Aspatha
“assembled self”/“self-sufficient”
Poratha
“generous self”/“self-indulgent”
Adalia
“weak self”/“humble self”
Aridatha
“strong self”/“self-assertive”
Parmatha
“preeminent self”/“self ambition”
Arisai
“bold self”/“I am bold”
Aridai
“dignified self”/”I am superior”
Vaizatha
“pure self”/”self-righteous”
For this section, I want to focus on the names that were said. The names of Haman’s 10 children and the significance of the saying all ten of their names.
If we go back all the way to 1 Samuel, just a quick history, God wanted King Saul to eliminate all the Amalekites, who were the people who hated the Israelites, but he didn’t obey. King Agag was allowed to lived, to which later was killed by the hands of Samuel, but we were not told how, but some of his children escaped because 600 years later, we see Haman, who was an Agagite, a descendant of King Agag who was an Amalekite. God’s will for the elimination of the Amalekites will be done no matter how long it took, even if it took 600 years. The death of Haman and his 10 children was God’s promise being fulfilled. When God has a promise for you, He will go through with it even if it takes forever.
Has God ever made a promise to you? Has it been fulfilled or are you still waiting? If you’re still waiting, what has God shown you?
Like I said in my last lesson I taught, I was given the opportunity to become a director, but God shut that door on me… But He gave me a glimpse of His promise for me and that I needed to wait. Now I’m a team leader. Is this the end? No, I’m sure this is a stepping stone for His promise for me in the future, there is more I need to learn and grow in for his full promise. So I’m still waiting. God has been teaching me a lot about myself and my limits and to work on it.
The process of waiting makes it hard to believe it will ever happen but we need to trust in God and during that time in waiting, we need to see what God wants for us to learn through this time.
1 Samuel 12:16 “Now therefore, stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes.”
There is more to it than just waiting, you just have to see it. Instead of focusing on the future, look at the now and see what God wants you to see.
I want you all to look at all the names of Haman’s children, what do they all have in common? Translated from the Persian language, “self” these were all names Haman thought of himself and gave to his children. That is a new wow for me... More than me learning about North West’s name. Like for real tho, they had to do that on purpose. Haman was that prideful of himself. It shows his character... But going on to what I want you to take from this, all these “selves” we put to death. Isn’t that interesting? Self must die for victory to be accomplished.
We know this, but why is it so hard for us to do this?
We want to be in control
Lack of trust in God and His will
Once again we see how much pride can be our destruction and the importance of why we should let go of that sin and let God work in our lives.

7. “We Won!” (Esther 9:20-32) Why do we take credit for God’s work?
Why is it important to remember what God has done for us?
Why is it so easy for us to forget what God has done?
What is one thing God has done for you in your life?
what are some ways to keep record/treasure what God has done for you to always remember?
Yes, I did skip a whole section. If you read, you would know it was a summary of the death toll through this whole ordeal. I’m gonna go ahead and go into the Feast of Purim. This was a feast to celebrate their victories. More importantly, God’s deliverance! We often forget His good works. The title of the slide says, “We won!” but in reality God won and we were just on the winner’s side. But we tend forget that and take credit for it.
Why do we take credit for God’s work?
Our pride
We want to feel like WE accomplished something
We see in these verses, they look back and see the things God has done for their people. Mordecai had it in record so that they are able to go back to it and remember.
Why is it important to remember what God has done for us?
For me, I think it gives us a better appreciation for God and to be able to give thanks for what He’s done in our lives.
Why is it so easy for us to forget what God has done?
Like the Isrealites in Exodos 14 & 16, they are delivered from slavery and brought THROUGH the Red Sea, then next thing we know, they’re grumbling about food. You’d think, “Don’t you remember what God just did for you? The water stood up like two walls, and you walked through the Red Sea on dry ground! Don’t you think that the God who can do that is also capable of giving you food to eat? Trust him!”
Like a process: God gives us a trial, we pray, He answers that prayer, and within a few days it’s almost forgotten.
Let’s stop that and think about it right now…
What is one thing God has done for you in your life?
For me, during this time God has been teaching me a lot about myself. I say that I’m patient. God tests that and shows me my limits. I’m not assertive. God puts me in a position where I need to be assertive. God is working through me and helping me acknowledge these things to help me grow into what He wants me to become. God has helped me put my past behind me and move on to grow.
Just as Mordecai and even King Xerxes kept things in record, what are some ways to keep record/treasure what God has done for you to always remember?
Journal, Gratitude, Traditions, Talking/Community

8. Back to the Beginning… Our Character. (Esther 10)
The Proud
The Humble
Haman
Esther/Mordecai
Proverbs 16:18
James 4:10
Easy chapter to read… 3 verses ya’ll. But the story end just as it began. Same king and same city, just a different queen, who was risen to prominence, and a different second-in-command, who is now bringing peace and prosperity to the Persian Empire. So we’re going to do the same. In the first lesson, Becca talked to us about our character… I want you to look at yourselves.
Which character do you WANT to be?
Obvi, Esther/Mordecai…
Which character are you?
I think we can be a mixture of both. But the fact that we have characteristics similar to Haman is something to examine on your life. Especially if we see the prime example get destroyed by it.
Our character can make a difference… positively or negatively.
Despite reading about these prime examples, will you even take the steps to change your character and let God help you grow?

9. Congratulations, you’ve finished the book of Esther
Congratulations, you’ve finished the book of Esther! Go ahead and check that book off you list. I feel like it’s a relatable book especially in our society. Just as God isn’t mentioned/”present” in the book of Esther is the same with us. God isn’t really mentioned or “present” in our lives. “Present” meaning miracles or burning bushes, but He is present behind the scenes and it gives us a better appreciation for what He’s done for us.
The end.

10. Journal Question/Challenge
Journal: Do you remember your three positive and negative traits your friends have said to you from the first lesson and how you can change and build your character to be more like Christ? I want you to journal how you’ve grown since then.
Challenge: I want you all to think about all what God has done in your life and give thanks to God for all of it.
Aight. I’m out. See ya’ll next year. Jk.