Esther

Esther:
Do What is Right
HOOK:
Make a simple crown with pretend jewels and put it on your head when you are getting the children ready for circle time.  When the children ask why you are wearing it, tell them, “because you are going to hear a true story of a beautiful queen that did the right thing and saved a lot of people.”

BOOK: Esther

LOOK:
King Xerxes wanted to find a wife to marry and to become his queen.  So he had a beauty pageant to find the most beautiful girl to be his bride.  All the girls prepared themselves, trying to be a s pretty as possible.  The King looked at all the girls and chose Esther, a beautiful Jewish girl to be his queen.  One day she found out Haman, who worked for the king, wanted to kill the Jewish people, which were Esther’s people.  Wicked Haman was angry because Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, would not bow down to Haman.  Mordecai would only bow down to God.

Haman went to the king and told him that there was a group of people giving him trouble and they weren’t listening to the rules.  He asked if he could have them killed and the king said, “Yes!”  The king didn’t know that they were Esther’s people (the Jews).

Mordecai told Esther she had to tell the king what Haman was planning to do.  Esther was afraid because no one was supposed to go to the king unless the king called for him/her.  If the king put out his royal scepter, it meant it was OK to talk to him, but if not, the king could have you killed.  So Esther went to the king, and the king put out his scepter to her.

She told the king she wanted him and Haman to have dinner with her, and then she would tell him what she wanted to ask him.

They both came to dinner and Esther told the king that Haman wanted to kill her and her family, and all the Jewish people.  The king was angry with Haman.  He sent Haman away.  All the Jewish people were safe again.  Esther did the right thing even when it was hard and scary.

TOOK:
We need to do the right thing, even when it’s hard.  USE EXAMPLES: If Johnny broke his mom’s favorite cup, he should tell her right away.  Even if it makes his mom sad or mad.  We need to do the right thing.

ROLE PLAY.  THEY CAN TAKE TURNS.  HAVE A KING’S CROWN.  HAVE A KING Xerxes AND A QUEEN ESTHER.  EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO TELL THEM WHAT TO SAY.

MEMORY VERSE:
II Corinth 13:7  “…but that you may do what is right.”

CLOSING PRAYER:
Thank you, God, that Esther was strong and brave and did the right thing because she loved you.  Please help us to do the right thing, even if we’re afraid.  You are always with us. We love you!  In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!!

Lesson from Kingdom Kids from Catalyst Ministry