Esther: A Story
of Courage and Divine Purpose
The golden halls of **Persia’s palace** gleamed as
**Esther** stepped forward. She was no ordinary woman—she was chosen by God for
**such a time as this**. Yet, standing before **King Xerxes**, she felt the
weight of fear. **Her people, the Jews, faced annihilation.** Speaking up could
mean death.
But she had **faith**. And her journey would demand
**virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and
charity**—just as **2 Peter 1:4-9** teaches.
**Virtue: Doing What Is Right, Even When It’s Hard**
Esther lived **in the palace**, far removed from the
suffering of her people. But when she learned of **Haman’s wicked plan**, she
had a choice: stay silent or **risk everything to save them**.
📖 *“And beside this,
giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue...”* (**2 Peter 1:5**)
She chose virtue.
She approached the king, knowing she could be executed.
Yet, instead of **acting hastily**, she **planned wisely**,
inviting the king to a banquet. Her courage was guided by wisdom.
**Knowledge: Understanding
God's Sovereign Plan**
Esther didn’t act alone. She sought the counsel of
**Mordecai** and called for a **three-day fast**—seeking God’s direction.
📖 *“And to virtue
knowledge...”* (**2 Peter 1:5**)
Through prayer and wisdom, she devised her approach. **God
gave her knowledge**, leading her to expose Haman’s evil plan in the most
effective way.
**Temperance: Controlling Fear and Speaking
with Wisdom**
Standing before **King Xerxes**, Esther didn’t **explode in
anger** or **reveal everything at once**. She used **self-control**, inviting
him and Haman to **two banquets** before revealing the truth.
📖 *“And to knowledge
temperance...”* (**2 Peter 1:6**)
Her patience **allowed the right moment** for justice to
unfold. God’s wisdom led her words.
**Patience: Waiting for
God's Perfect Timing**
📖 *“And to temperance
patience...”* (**2 Peter 1:6**)
Esther could have rushed into the king’s presence without a
plan. Instead, she waited for **God’s timing**, carefully preparing each step.
Her **patience led to victory**. At the second banquet, she
revealed Haman’s plot, and **justice prevailed**.
**Godliness: Seeking God in Every Step**
📖 *“And to patience
godliness...”* (**2 Peter 1:6**)
Before taking action, Esther sought **God in fasting and
prayer**. She placed **her trust in Him**, knowing that **this wasn’t just
about her—it was about God’s people**.
**Brotherly Kindness & Charity: Ensuring
Her People’s Safety**
📖 *“And to godliness
brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”* (**2 Peter 1:7**)
Even after Haman was punished, **Esther didn’t stop
fighting** for her people. She asked the king for **a decree to protect them**,
ensuring their salvation.
Her **compassion** turned fear into joy for **the entire
Jewish nation**.
**Conclusion: Living Out 2
Peter 1:4-9**
Esther’s journey reflects **2 Peter’s call to spiritual
growth**:
- She **chose virtue**, risking her life for righteousness.
- She **gained knowledge**, seeking wisdom before acting.
- She **practiced temperance**, controlling fear and words.
- She **embraced patience**, trusting God’s timing.
- She **lived in godliness**, turning to Him in prayer.
- She **showed kindness and charity**, ensuring her people’s
safety.
Esther wasn’t just **a queen**—she was **God’s servant,
chosen to deliver His people**.
Likewise, our moments of courage **shape our faith**. When
trials come, God gives us the **strength to stand**, the **wisdom to act**, and
the **grace to overcome**.
That’s a powerful invitation, George! Building upon our **most holy faith** is exactly what **2 Peter 1:4-9** calls us to do—growing deeper in virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity.
Here’s a way to frame the invitation:
**The Call to Spiritual Growth: Building Upon Our Most Holy Faith**
We begin our journey with **faith in Christ**—the solid rock, the unshakable foundation. Without Him, we have nothing. But with Him, we have **everything**—forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life.
Yet faith is **only the beginning**. Just as a house must be **built up**, our **spiritual lives** must grow beyond belief into **Christ-like character**.
📖 *“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.”* (**Jude 1:20**)
This is **God’s invitation**—to move beyond **spiritual infancy** and step into **maturity**, adding each virtue to our faith:
✅ **Virtue**—choosing righteousness even in adversity.
✅ **Knowledge**—seeking wisdom through God’s Word.
✅ **Temperance**—controlling desires to honor Him.
✅ **Patience**—trusting His timing in every season.
✅ **Godliness**—living in reverence and obedience.
✅ **Brotherly Kindness**—showing grace and compassion.
✅ **Charity**—giving love freely, as Christ did.
This is the **Christian life**—a **process of refining** as God shapes us into vessels for His glory.
🔹 Will you **accept this call**—to build upon your faith and walk in virtue?
🔹 Will you **step forward**, seeking **Christ-centered growth**?
🔹 Will you **surrender fully**, allowing God to transform your life?
His arms are **open**. His promises are **true**. His presence is **waiting**.
Let’s grow in **faith**, striving to **be like Christ**, reflecting His **love and holiness** to the world.
Susan Barker Nikitenko 2025© MpMbKBrNGAnnaBen86
**How to Play the Esther Wheel Board Game**
**Materials Needed:**
✅ The **Wheel Board** with sections representing key events in Esther’s life.
✅ A **spinner or arrow** to determine the section chosen.
✅ Review **cards or questions** related to **each virtue** of 2 Peter 1:4-9.
✅ Small **prize tokens** for correct answers (e.g., stickers, points).
**Gameplay Instructions:**
1️⃣ **Spin the Wheel** – Students take turns spinning the **Wheel Board**.
2️⃣ **Land on a Section** – The wheel will stop on a part of Esther’s story (**e.g., Esther before the king, Mordecai’s encouragement, Haman’s plot**).
3️⃣ **Answer a Question** – The player must **answer a review question** related to that event and the virtue it represents.
4️⃣ **Earn Points or Rewards** – If the answer is correct, the player **earns a point, a sticker, or a prize token**.
5️⃣ **Apply Virtues to Real Life** – Discuss **how the virtue** in Esther’s story **can be applied to daily life**.
**Alternative Play Styles:**
🌀 **Team Play** – Divide students into **teams**. Each team takes turns spinning and answering questions.
🌀 **Timed Challenge** – Players have **30 seconds** to answer correctly before the next person spins.
🌀 **Virtue Match-Up** – Instead of answering questions, players **match a virtue from 2 Peter 1:4-9** to the story section they landed on.
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**Example Gameplay Scenario:**
🎡 **Spin the wheel** → It lands on **Esther approaching the king**.
❓ **Question:** *Which virtue did Esther show when approaching the king?*
💡 **Answer:** *Faith and Courage (2 Peter 1:5)*
🏆 **Reward:** The player earns **1 sticker** and moves on!
Susan Barker Nikitenko 2025© MpMbKBrNGAnnaBen86
Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.
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