Background Scripture (read 2-3 times during the week)
Story Summary
The story of Esther is a true picture of what a princess should be. It has all of the elements of the princess stories that our girls watch and dream about becoming. Esther is a brave, beautiful woman. This lesson allows us to bring forth a godly woman worthy of our daughters' enchantment. It is also another example of God's persistence in protecting the Israelites from complete ruin.
Who Was Queen Esther?
Esther was a beautiful young Jewish woman living in Persia. Remember what happened to the Babylonian kingdom after Belshazzar? Remember "mene, mene, tekel, parsin"? The Babylonian kingdom was divided between the Medes and the Persians. The story of Esther is set about 100 years after the Babylonian captivity, and about 60 years after Babylon fell to the Persians. The King of Persia at the time was King Xerxes (some translations give his name as Ahasuerus).
Esther was a Jewish orphan. Mordecai was her cousin, who raised her as if she were his daughter.
The Story of Esther Summary
This story is a little longer than normal in that it encompasses a 10-chapter book. However, it is still possible to read the whole book in 1 or 2 sittings.
Esther Becomes Queen
Xerxes, King of Persia, was the most powerful man in the world. He held a festival to show off his riches and influence. During the festival, he wanted his wife, Queen Vashti, to come and dance before him and all his officials. (Note for the adults: at this point in the party, Xerxes was very drunk, and the innuendo here is that he wanted Vashti to come and dance with either no or very little clothing to "entertain" his guests.)
Xerxes became furious, removed Queen Vashti from her office as queen, and held a "beauty contest" to find a new queen. Esther was taken from Mordecai's house to take part in this contest. King Xerxes loved Esther and made Esther queen, but the king did not know that Esther was a Jew, because Mordecai told her not to reveal her identity. The full story can be found in Esther 1-2.
Haman's Evil Plan
Haman was an advisor to the king. Haman hated Mordecai because Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman. So Haman plotted to destroy the Jewish people. Haman descended from the Amalekites. Refer back to Exodus 17. God promised to erase the memory of the Amalekites from the earth. That is why, during the festival of Purim (see the Purim party activity below), everyone makes loud noises whenever Haman's name is spoken, so no one can hear it.
Then Haman said to King Xerxes, "Certain people are scattered among the nations. They live in all of the territories in your kingdom. Their practices are different from the practices of all other people. They don't obey your laws. It really isn't good for you to put up with them." Esther 3:8. The King gave Haman permission to do as he pleased with the Jews. So Haman planned to kill all of them.
"For Such a Time as This?"
Mordecai persuaded Esther to speak to the king on behalf of the Jewish people, with the famous question, "Who knows? It’s possible that you became queen for a time just like this." (Esther 4:14). This was a dangerous thing for Esther to do, because anyone who came into the king's presence without being summoned could be put to death, and she had not been summoned.
Esther Saves Her People
Esther fasted for three days to prepare herself, then went in to speak with the king. He welcomed her. Later, she told him of Haman's plot against her people.
The King was not happy that Haman had plotted against Esther's people, so he had Haman hanged on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Esther then asked the King to revoke the decree Haman had him sign into law to have the Jews destroyed. But the King cannot revoke a law he enacted. So he allowed the Jews to fight back, and God gave them the victory in battle.
Purim: The Holiday That Remembers Esther
In Esther 9, we learn about the holiday or party that the Jews still celebrate today to remember Esther, Mordecai and how they saved the Jewish people. See the "Purim Party" activity below. During Purim, the Jews read the whole book of Esther. Every time they hear Haman's name, they hiss and boo.
"For Such a Time as This": What Esther Teaches Kids
People of every age can be encouraged by the story of Esther to allow God to use them wherever they are. Sure, they might not be kings or queens, but kids can think about where God has placed them. Who in their family needs to be shown God's love? What kids at their school get overlooked or picked on? Who in your church needs to be cared for? Who knows, but that God placed them right where they are so they could be used by God to care for those people?
My Notes
What You Will Need
Supplies
- Following are good items to have on hand as you tell the story:
- A Persian rug for the students to sit on
- Rich silky fabrics available to touch- Xerxes was very wealthy. He had the finest of everything
- Golden goblet- for banquet
- Perfume- for girls brought to palace
- Bible- Mordecai worshiped God
- Tiara or crown for Xerxes, Vashti and Esther
- royal robe
- Money bag -for Haman
Video Options
From Crossroads Kids Club
From Saddleback Kids Slapstick Theater
From Kids on the Move
Resource Sheet
This coloring sheet depicts Esther appearing before the King, pleading with him to save the Jews
1 Warm Up get your kids talking and engaged
What is your favorite princess movie? (the boys in your class will probably react very negatively to this, which you can encourage if you wish :))
Today, we are going to learn about a queen in the Bible who allowed herself to be used by God to save the Jews.
2 Teach the Story teach a holistic story
Read story from a Children's storybook Bible for younger children.
For older children, read the story from an age-appropriate Children's storybook Bible or tell the story yourself.
3 Bible Mastery give them basic Bible skills
Scripture for Kids to Read Aloud Esther 2:5-18, 3:5-6, 4:1-17, 7:1-10
4 Comprehension Questions make sure they understand the story
First, ask the children if they have any questions about the story. What to do if you don't know the answer?
- Who raised Esther?
- Mordecai, her cousin
- How did the Israelites end up in Persia?
- They were carried away to Babylon, which then fell to the Medes and Persians
- How did Esther become a queen of Persia?
- The King was mad at Vashti, the queen before her, and searched for a new queen
- Who told Esther to keep the fact she was a Jew a secret?
- Mordecai
- Who was Haman?
- The head of all of King Haman's officials
- Why did Haman want to get rid of the Jews?
- Mordecai didn't pay homage or honor to Haman as he was commanded to do
- What did Haman do to destroy the Jews?
- He had the King pass a law that everyone in his kingdom was to destroy all the Jews in all the towns of Persia
- How did Esther help Mordecai?
- She approached the King, even though she had not been called by him, revealed she was a Jew, and told the King that Haman plotted against her own people
- What did the King do to Haman after he realized what he was doing?
- He had him hanged on the very gallows Haman planned to hang Mordecai
- What did the King do to help the Jews?
- He couldn't revoke the law that he signed, so he allowed them to fight back when the Persians tried to destroy them, and God helped them gain victory when they fought
5 Faith Questions open up a conversation about faith and the gospel; close with prayer
- God placed Esther as a queen in Persia so she could be used to save the Jews from destruction ("And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14)
- How can God use you where you are right now?
6 Memory Verse hide God's Word in their heart
Purim Party!
Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in Persia from Haman's plot to kill all the Jews.
Purim is celebrated a month before Passover. It is one of the most festive Jewish holidays.
"These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never cease to be celebrated by the Jews, nor should the memory of them die out among their descendants." Esther 9:28
Ways to celebrate:
- Read story of Esther - use shakers when Haman's name is read
- Purim costumes - Dress up like characters from the story of Esther. Encourage students to bring princess and prince costumes or make your own.
- Make Hamantaschen (see the "Hamantaschen Cookies" activity for a recipe)
Haman Shakers
- During traditional Jewish Purim celebrations, the story of Esther is told and whenever the name "Haman" is said everyone makes noises with noisemakers (since he's the bad guy...)
- Make shakers and noise makers to use whenever Haman's name is mentioned when you read the story.
- Use empty water bottles, two paper plates staples together, Toilet paper rolls with covers rubber banded on ends.
- Fillers: beans, bells, rice (tends to be messy), popcorn kernels, pennies
- Can also purchase store-bought noise makers from party aisle.
Hamantaschen Cookies
- These cookies are traditionally made during the Jewish holiday of Purim.
- The pastries are supposed to symbolize the defeated enemy of the Jewish people, and thus resemble the "ears of Haman."
- The word tasch means "pouch" or "pocket" in Germanic languages, and may refer to "Haman's pockets", symbolizing the money which Haman offered in exchange for permission to destroy the Jews.
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
- 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 cup fruit preserves, any flavor
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F Grease cookie sheets.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar. Stir in the oil, orange juice, and vanilla. Combine the flour and baking powder; stir into the batter to form a stiff dough. Add more flour, if not stiff enough to roll out. Roll dough out to 1/4 inch in thickness. Cut into circles using a cookie cutter. Place cookies 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets. Spoon about 2 teaspoons of preserves into the center of each one. Pinch the edges to form three corners.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until lightly browned. Allow cookies to cool slightly before removing.
Headbands Game
Play the game Headbands
0r
Write words on index cards.
Tape a card to the back without the kids seeing the card.
They ask questions of the rest of the class to try to guess the word on their back.
- Penguin
- Taco
- Elephant
- Giraffe
- Ie Cream
- Spaghetti
- Shark
- Astronaut
- Kangaroo
- Light Saber
- Taco
- Vacuum Cleaner
- Toothbrush
- Snowman
Crowns
- Make crowns out of thin cardboard or purchase ready-made crowns from a craft store.
- Add glitter, jewels , stickers and other decorations.
- Esther became Queen of Persia and saved her people from Haman's plan to destroy the Jews.
Act out story of Esther
- King Xerxes
- Queen Vashti
- Mordecai
- Haman
- Esther
- Xerxes gets a crown
- Vashti gets a tiara or crown.
- Mordecai gets a Bible since he followed God's law and refused to pay homage to Haman
- Esther gets a crown or tiara on her head and a robe around her shoulders as she becomes queen.
- Haman gets a money bag since he was prideful about his wealth and the high position he held.
Beauty treatments
- All of the woman brought to the palace for Xerxes to choose his queen, had to complete 12 months of beauty treatments and special food.
- Allow the girls to complete beauty treatments. Have pillows and comfortable resting spots around the room and a table with fruit and light snacks.
- foot spa
- hair salon
- pedicures (with or without polish)
- foot massages
- fragrant lotions
Hangman Haman
- Play the classic game of hangman with words and names from the story:
- Mordecai
- Esther
- Xerxes
- decree
- Persia
- summoned
- plot
- After they solve the puzzle, remind them of that part of the story.
Step by Step Drawing of Esther
- Give each child a piece of paper and a marker
- Follow the step by step instructions at the video below to draw Esther
Let's Make a Deal!
- Play the class risk-taking game, "Let's Make a Deal"
- You might pull some names out of a hat and play the game 2 or 3 times
- Give the child something of a little value (maybe a quarter, or a small gift like a candy bar)
- Put another prize under a box or in a bag. It might be a "flop" prize or a real prize
- Give the student the option to keep what they have or go for the prize in the bag
- Relate this back to Esther and the risk she had to take to go talk to the King on behalf of all the Jews. She didn't quite know how it was going to turn out, but she took the risk anyway.
For Such A Time As This Card
Have kids decorate a card with the phrase "For such a time as this" and write or draw one thing they think God might be calling them to do right where they are.
Esther Crossword Puzzle
Give each child a printed Esther Crossword Puzzle and work through the answers together.
Reinforce each part of the story as they get the answer correct to check for comprehension.
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Hamantaschen Cookies Example
