Esther: Overview

Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Contents
Title Page
Introduction to the Teacher Manual
Lessons 1–2
Welcome to the Old Testament
- Lessons 1–2
  Welcome to the Old Testament
- Lessons 3–6
  Moses 1; Abraham 3
- Lessons 7–9
  Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5
- Lessons 10–12
  Genesis 3–4; Moses 4–5
- Lessons 13–15
  Genesis 5; Moses 6
- Lessons 16–18
  Moses 7
- Lessons 19–21
  Genesis 6–11; Moses 8
- Lessons 22–24
  Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2
- Lessons 25–28
  Genesis 18–23
- Lessons 29–32
  Genesis 24–33
- Lessons 33–34
  Genesis 37–41
- Lessons 35–37
  Genesis 42–50
- Lessons 38–40
  Exodus 1–6
- Easter
- Lessons 41–44
  Exodus 7–13
- Lessons 45–47
  Exodus 14–18
- Lessons 48–51
  Exodus 19–20; 24; 31–34
- Lessons 52–55
  Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 4; 16; 19
- Lessons 56–57
  Numbers 11–14; 20–24; 27
- Lessons 58–60
  Deuteronomy 6–8; 15; 18; 29–30; 34
- Lessons 61–64
  Joshua 1–8; 23–24
- Lessons 65–67
  Judges 2–4; 6–8; 13–16
- Lessons 68–70
  Ruth; 1 Samuel 1–7
- Lessons 71–73
  1 Samuel 8–10; 13; 15–16
- Lessons 74–76
  1 Samuel 17–18; 24–26; 2 Samuel 5–7
- Lessons 77–80
  2 Samuel 11–12; 1 Kings 3; 6–9; 11
- Lessons 81–82
  1 Kings 12–13; 17–22
- Lessons 83–85
  2 Kings 2–7
- Lessons 86–89
  2 Kings 16–25
- Lessons 90–91
  2 Chronicles 14–20; 26; 30
- Lessons 92–93
  Ezra 1, 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8
- Lessons 94–96
  Esther
- Lessons 97–99
  Job 1–3; 12–14; 19; 21–24; 38–40; 42
- Lessons 100–103
  Psalms 1–2; 8; 19–33; 40; 46
- Lessons 104–106
  Psalms 49–51; 61–66; 69–72; 77–78; 85–86
- Lessons 107–108
  Psalms 102–103; 110; 116–119; 127–128; 135–139; 146–150
- Lessons 109–112
  Proverbs 1–4; 15–16; 22; 31; Ecclesiastes 1–3; 11–12
- Lessons 113–116
  Isaiah 1–12
- Lessons 117–118
  Isaiah 13–14; 22; 24–30; 35
- Lessons 119–122
  Isaiah 40–49
- Lessons 123–125
  Isaiah 50–57
- Lessons 126–129
  Isaiah 58–66
- Lessons 130–133
  Jeremiah 1–3; 7; 16–18; 20
- Lessons 134–137
  Jeremiah 31–33; 36–38; Lamentations 1; 3
- Lessons 138–141
  Ezekiel 1–3; 33–34; 36–37; 47
- Lessons 142–145
  Daniel 1–7
- Lessons 146–148
  Hosea; Joel
- Lessons 149–151
  Amos; Obadiah; Jonah
- Lessons 152–154
  Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah
- Lessons 155–157
  Haggai 1–2; Zechariah 1–4; 7–14
- Lessons 158–160
  Malachi
Lessons 166–170
Life Preparation Lessons
- Doctrinal Mastery: Finding Answers to My Questions
- Lessons 166–170
  Scripture Study Skills
- Lessons 171–176
  For the Strength of Youth Guide
- Lessons 177–180
  Building Self–Reliance
- Lessons 181–187
  Physical and Emotional Health
- Lessons 188–191
  Preparing for Future Education and Employment
- Lessons 192–195
  Succeed in School
- Lessons 196–200
  Missionary Preparation
- Lessons 201–204
  Temple Preparation
- Lessons 205–208
  Teachings of Church Leaders
Appendix

Esther: Overview

“Esther: Overview,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)

“Esther: Overview,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Esther

Overview

After the Persians conquered the Babylonian empire, certain Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem. Other Jews remained in Persia. During the reign of King Ahasuerus, a Jewish woman named Esther was chosen as queen. Esther did not reveal to the king that she was Jewish. Haman, one of the king’s advisors, devised a plan to kill all the Jews in the kingdom. Esther demonstrated courage and risked her life to go before the king and expose Haman’s evil plot, saving her people.

Prepare to teach

The following information provides you with ideas of what you may need to prepare for each lesson.

Esther, Part 1

Lesson purpose: To help students recognize how Heavenly Father places us in situations to help Him accomplish His work.

Student preparation: Consider asking students to prayerfully ponder how Heavenly Father might accomplish His work through them in this seminary class or their ward or branch, school, city, or family
Videos: “Pray for Eyes to See as He Sees” (6:26) from time code 2:23 to 4:54; “Answers to Prayer” (12:39) from time code 2:16 to 4:32
Content to display: A chessboard and chess pieces or an image of a chessboard

Esther, Part 2

Lesson purpose: To help students act with courage to do the Lord’s will.

Student preparation: Invite students to prepare to share an example of when someone they know demonstrated courage to do the Lord’s will
Videos: “Be Strong and of a Good Courage” (16:18) from time code 5:29 to 6:22; “For Such a Time as This” (13:44) from time code 5:12 to 9:41 and 11:10 to 13:44; “Courage” (3:18)
Content to display: An image of Jesus Christ; an image of Esther

Assess Your Learning 6

Lesson purpose: To help students reflect on the goals they have set and the growth they have experienced during their study of 1 Kings 17–Esther.

Student preparation: Invite students to come prepared to share a scripture passage that is meaningful to them from their study of the Old Testament. Ask them to think about how that passage helps them follow Jesus Christ.
Content to Display: The graphics used to help students evaluate their goals.