Sunday School: 3/17/13

Queen Esther Saves Her People

Brave Queen Esther

TOPICS:

Faith, Courage, Helping, Protection

Children will see how Queen Esther saved the Jewish people and learn that we should also help others when we are given the opportunity.

OPENING MUSIC:

Angela Zoltek will lead the opening music

The Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, you heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

STORY:

While growing up a young girl named Esther experienced some very sad and unhappy times. Her people had been forced to move from their homes in Jerusalem and were now held in captivity by King Nebuchadnezzar. To make matters worse, Esther's mother and father had died. (Esther 2:5-7)

Although Esther’s future may have appeared bleak, God had big plans for her life. Esther's older cousin Mordecai had raised her as his own daughter when her father and mother had died. While Esther was under Mordecai's care, King Xerxes had issued an order that all the beautiful young women be brought to him so that he could choose a new queen. King Xerxes was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, so he set a royal crown on her head and made her the new queen. (Esther 2:8-9, & 2:17)

There was an evil man named Haman who held a high position under the king. Haman hated Mordecai because Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor when he walked by. Haman made a plan to kill Mordecai and all the Jews. Mordecai heard about Haman’s evil plan and asked Queen Esther to help save the Jewish people.(Esther 3:5-6, 4:1-8)

Queen Esther was very scared to go talk to the king without being invited. The king had made a law that said, "Anyone who enters the king’s court without being invited can be put to death." (Esther 4:9-10)

Esther knew that there wasn’t much time, so she went to the king and requested that he and Haman come to a banquet that she prepared for them. King Xerxes was pleased and asked what he could do for Esther. Esther simply asked that both he and Haman return the next day for another banquet, which the king was more than happy to do.

During the second banquet the king once again asked Esther what he could do for her. Queen Esther told the king about Haman's evil plot and asked the king to spare her life and the life of her people. King Xerxes became outraged at Haman and had him killed. Esther pleaded with the king that an order be written to overrule the plan Haman had written to destroy the Jews. The king honored her request and so saved the Jewish people! (Esther 5:1-7, 7:1-10, Esther 8:3-8) 
THE END

Discussion Questions:

1. What sad things happened to Esther as a young women? (Her people were forced to move from their homes and live in another country. Esther's mother and father had died.)

2. What was Esther's cousin's name? (Mordecai)

3. Do you think Esther ever dreamed she would become a queen? (No)

4. Why did Haman want to kill Mordecai? (Mordecai would not kneel down to Haman.)

5. Why was Queen Esther scared to go talk to the King? (The king could have uninvited visitors killed.)

6. After learning about God's big plans for Esther, do you think He has plans for your life too? (Yes)

SNACK: This week's snack is a bit special, since the Esther story hinges on a banquet with the king.  

Bring a variety of fruit, crackers and bread to class. Tell the children that you have prepared a small banquet for them to enjoy and ask them if they will be your honored guests. Start by thanking God for providing for all of our needs. As the children enjoy the banquet you have prepared, ask them what they think it may be like to prepare a banquet for a king? What might it be like to attend such a banquet?

PUZZLE ACTIVITY: 

ESTHER

ACTIVITY:  

Coloring Page

LORD'S PRAYER:

The children learn the Lord's prayer

CLOSING SONGS

TAKE HOME SHEET:

Click HERE to view or download the Take Home Sheet