Esther, A Brave Queen

Esther was Jewish.  That means she was an Israelite.  She lived in the land of Persia with her older cousin Mordecai.

The king of Persia needed a new queen.  He announced, “Bring me the most beautiful women from all over my kingdom.”  Esther was one of the women sent to the palace.  When the king met Esther, he chose her to be his queen.

Haman was the king’s chief helper.  He hated the Jewish people.  They were God’s people.  Haman wanted everyone to bow down to him.  Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman.  Mordecai would only bow down to God.  

Haman went to the king.  He said, “The Jews are bad people.  You should sign a law that will help me get rid of them.” So the king signed the new law.  God’s people were in great danger!

M0rdecai heard about the new law.  He ran to tell Esther, “You must save yourself and the rest of God’s people.  Perhaps God has made you the queen for a reason.”

So Esther came up with a plan.  It would be very risky for her.  

Esther invited the king and Haman to a special dinner.  Then she asked the king, “Why does Haman want to get rid of me?”  The king was surprised.  She said, “I am Jewish. Haman tricked you into signing a new law that would get rid of all the Jews.”

The king told his guards, “Arrest Haman!”  Then he made Mordecai his new chief helper.  He told Queen Esther, “I will make a new law that will keep you and our people safe.” God used Esther to save his people!

Discussion Questions

• Who was Esther’s cousin?  Mordecai
• Who was the king’s chief helper? Haman  
• What was Haman’s plan? To kill all the Jews
• What did Esther do?  She obeyed God and asked the king to save her people
• What happened to Haman?  He was arrested

Prayer

Dear God, Thank you for the story of Esther and how she saved her people.  Help us to remember that you do mighty miracles in heaven and on earth. Amen

Memory Verses

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go."  Gen. 28:15

Song:  Haman was a Mean, Evil Man (to the tune Zacchaeus)

Old Haman was a mean, evil man,

A mean, evil man was he,

He was meaner than an angry old flea,

As mean as he could be.

When Mordecai could not bow to him,

He had to make his plea,

He went to the king and made him agree

To sign an evil decree.

But Queen Esther was a very good queen,

A very good queen was she,

Without delay she began to pray

And she sent to God her plea.

She went to the King and bowed really low,

Even though she wanted to flee.

She got the king to change his decree,

The Jewish people were free!

King David

King David 2 Samuel 1:1-2:4; Kings 2:1-3

Saul chased David, but he never caught him.  God watched over David.  Then one day, David heard some sad news.  King Saul and Prince Jonathan had died in a battle.

The people remembered what God had told them, and they went to find David.  “David, you are now our king!” they exclaimed.

King David ruled over Israel for 40 years.  He wrote many songs about God, called psalms.  He even had plans to build a temple for God.  

David was a man who was dear to God’s heart.

When King David was old, he told his son Solomon, “You will be the next king of Israel.  Be strong and obey God with all your heart.  Then he will bless you.”

Discussion Questions

• Did God watch over David? Yes
• David heard some sad new.  What was so sad?  King Saul and Prince Jonathan had died in a battle.
• Who became King next? David  
• How long was David king? 40 years
• King David wrote many songs about God.  What are those called?  Psalms
• When King David was old what did he tell his son?  He told Solomon that he would be the next king of Israel

Prayer

Dear God, We know that you care about how we love you and others, not what things we have or how we look.   Please help us to have hearts that love you and want to serve you. Amen

Memory Verses

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.” Genesis 28:15

Activity:  Craft

What matters most to God is what is in our heart, not what we look like. Cut a large heart out of construction paper for your child. On one side of the heart have your child draw pictures of things that describe a heart that is not pleasing God. On the other side of the heart, have him draw pictures of things that describe a heart that pleases God.

David and Goliath

David and Goliath 1 Samuel 17:1-51 

The Philistines were enemies of God.  Their army came to fight King Saul’s army.  A giant soldier named Goliath yelled, “Bring out your best soldier to fight me!”

“If your strongest soldier defeats me, we will be your slaves!”  he boomed.  “If I defeat him, you will be our slaves!”  King Saul’s soldiers were afraid.  They did not want to fight the giant.

Meanwhile, young David was taking food to his brothers.  They were soldiers in King Saul’s army.  When David reached the camp, he saw Goliath.

David heard the giant’s challenge. “I am not afraid to fight the giant,” said David.  King Saul called for David and told him, “You cannot fight the giant.  You are too young.” David replied, “God will be with me.”

King Saul gave his armor to David, but it was big and heavy.  David wasn’t used to wearing armor.

David went to a nearby stream and picked up five stones.  He stood before Goliath.  The giant laughed at him, but David didn’t care.  He said, “I come before you in the name of the Lord who rules over all.”

David put a stone in his sling and ran toward the giant.  Then he let the stone fly.

It hit Goliath’s forehead, and he fell to the ground!  The Philistines saw that their hero was dead.  They ran away.

Discussion Questions

• There was a very big soldier.  What was his name? Goliath
• Who was brave enough to fight Goliath?  David
• Did the rest of the army think David could fight Goliath? No, they thought he was too young  
• How many stones did David get from the stream? Five
• How many did he use to knock Goliath down?  Only one!
• Why was David so brave to fight Goliath?  He knew God would be with him and protect him.

Prayer

Dear God, 

Thank you for the story of David and Goliath. We know now that whether we are small or young we can make a BIG difference.  Amen

Memory Verse

“Do good and share with others.”  Hebrews 13:16 

Song:  Only a Boy Named David

Only a boy named David

Only a little sling

Only a boy named David

But he could pray and sing

Only a boy named David

Only a rippling brook

Only a boy named David

But five little stones he took.

And one little stone went in the sling

And the sling went round and round

And one little stone went in the sling

And the sling went round and round

And round and round

And round and round

And round and round and round

And one little prayer went up to God

And the giant came tumbling down.

Activity:  Cooking

Streams and Stones

You will need:  celery stalks, raisins, cream cheese or yogurt, a plastic knife

Have the children help to rinse the celery.  

They then use a plastic knife to spread the cheese or yogurt in a celery stalk.

They place 5 raisins (5 smooth stones) on their snack.

VARIATION:  Color the cheese or yogurt blue by adding a small amount of blue food gel coloring and mixing.

Sling Shots

For this snack, you will need:  cookie dough (the refrigerated cookie dough will work), red licorice (the ones you can peel), chocolate chips

Give each child a slice of cookie dough.  Have them roll it into a snake.

Show them how to shape their snake into a letter "Y" (Sling shot shape).

Bake the cookies.  When done, the children attach a piece of red licorice from one top of the "Y" to the other.  Give them a handful of chocolate chip stones!