Sessions with Esther is a ten-session study unit designed to guide group or individual study. Esther is an Old Testament short story that covers a challenging episode during Israel’s occupation and exile by the ancient Persian empire. Each study is followed by a thought-provoking page of questions that allows for a deeper experience of the Scripture.

Charles Qualls takes readers on a patient journey through Esther. Central characters Esther and her cousin Mordecai are relatively powerless, yet in the face of a corrupt deputy and an uninterested king, they rise to the moment to stop the genocide of an entire ethnic group. We discover inspiring bravery, thoughtful and disciplined strategy, and more than one cautionary figure here. We have much to learn about living in our present day from this fascinating story set long ago.

The Sessions Series is a set of Bible studies designed to encourage a deeper encounter with Scripture. Each volume includes eight to ten lessons as well as resources to facilitate preparation, class discussion, or individual Bible Study. The Sessions series editor is Michael D. McCullar.

Charles Qualls is senior pastor of the Franklin Baptist Church in Franklin, Virginia. A native of Atlanta, he is a doctoral graduate of the McAfee School of Theology of Mercer University. Prior to his work in Virginia, he served churches in Georgia and North Carolina. Charles has authored or co-authored eight other titles for Smyth & Helwys. He and his wife, Elizabeth, enjoy travel, sports, and the written word.