I was 14 when I first read the book of Esther...

 

My mom gave me a devotional titled “For Such a Time as This: Your Identity, Purpose, and Passion” by Lisa Ryan. It taught several Biblical lessons valuable for young and mature Godly women. The most memorable quote for me was in chapter three, “There is nothing more beautiful than the glow of God’s glory on the face of a handmaiden who has spent time in the presence of the Lord.” – Lisa Ryan.

The type of favor and courage Esther had was very attractive to me as a young girl. She was different, not because of her own merit, but God’s grace. I had no idea there was someone like her, a young girl like me, to learn from in the Bible. As I read her story, I remember thinking, ‘If God could use Esther’s life in such a powerful way, why not mine too? Why not me?’ Esther became a role model for me, and her story was life-changing.

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Young Esther© did not bloom until about four years later, in 2013, sitting at the kitchen table late one night. I was 18 and had recently started volunteering at my church as a student leader with the middle school girl’s youth group. As I sat there working, God began to reveal the vision of Young Esther© to me, and I wrote it down. Soon after this, I was scheduled to begin working solo with only the 6th-grade girl’s group, although I was eager to teach them all. The 7th and 8th graders met separately with another volunteer leader. I was grateful for the opportunity to serve and grow spiritually as I taught others, but I felt even more confident because of God’s vision for Young Esther© that I would work with all the middle school grade girls.

 

I was prayerful about the ministry of Young Esther©, so when all three age groups showed up in my room the first morning for Sunday school because of a teacher cancellation, I knew it was a confirmation from God. The meeting felt beautifully orchestrated by the hand of God. I came prepared, but I was amazed at how God moved. Not only was the study group full, but I believe our hearts were also full by the time we left. Meeting with the entire middle school girl’s group continued periodically.

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Soon after this, the church youth minister at the time allowed me to host a Young Esther© Bible study using the same book my mom gave me. It was the first time I taught Young Esther©, and it was amazing! Once again, it felt like God was orchestrating each of our meeting conversations. One student’s mom told me she did not know what I was teaching, but her daughter did not want to miss a meeting. This was encouraging.

Sometime later, a friend whose daughter participated in a different Young Esther© study group encouraged me that I might one day write my own curriculum for Young Esther©--a seed that God had already planted in my heart.

 

The Young Esther© Bible study bloomed while I was in college in 2018. It is based on the narrative of the book of Esther and taught with a mentoring style to foster reflection, decision-making, spiritual growth, character, and Biblical faith in the lives of young girls. Our mission is to inspire girls to pursue a life-long relationship with God through salvation in Jesus Christ, so they can experience God’s grace and truth in their lives.

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God moved Esther from position to purpose, and we desire to see modern-day girls do the same. If God could use Esther, why not us? Why not now?

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"...For such a time as this.”