Lesson Theme: God uses willing instruments to fulfill His plan. Aim: Esther shows her courage and faith in time of need and protects her people.

Transcription

1 Unit 2 Lesson 10 Memory Verse 2 Timothy 1:7 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 7 for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. Values for Life: We must be brave to stand up for what is right no matter what the consequence. God will strengthen and enable us to do His will. Esther was brave and courageous to stand in the king's court without being invited into the court. She could have been killed for disobedience. But she knew if she was silent a lot of people would die. She could not let that happen. She was ready to sacrifice her life for her people. God honored her courageous act. Life Response/My Decision: I will stand up for what is right. I will ask God to give me wisdom to choose the right way and time to do His will. Lesson Theme: God uses willing instruments to fulfill His plan. Aim: Esther shows her courage and faith in time of need and protects her people.

2 Esther 5:1-8 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Esther s Banquet 5 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king s palace, opposite the king s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne inside the palace opposite the entrance to the palace. 2 As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won his favor and he held out to her the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the top of the scepter. 3 The king said to her, What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom. 4 Then Esther said, If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to a banquet that I have prepared for the king. 5 Then the king said, Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther desires. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. 6 While they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, What is your petition? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled. 7 Then Esther said, This is my petition and request: 8 If I have won the king s favor, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet that I will prepare for them, and then I will do as the king has said. Pictures used with permission from Esther was a Jewish woman who became the queen of Persia according to God's divine plan. Although she was queen, she could not come into the King's court without his permission. When she heard that an evil minister in the king's court was going to harm the Jewish people she could not stay away in her palace and pretend she did not care. Esther cared. Mordecai, her uncle and all the Jews fasted and prayed along with her. On the third day, she went to the King's court to invite him to a banquet. Esther was tactful and wise. She showed respect for the laws of the land and honored her king. Because of her attitude the king was very pleased with her and ready to do anything she wanted. We will learn later how Esther saved her people because of her wisdom and courage.

3 Answers: brave, gracious, jewish, queen, prayer, mordecai, saved, crown, fasting, jealousy Review Questions: 1. Who was Esther? 2. How did Esther win the favor of the Persian king?

4 Esther meets the king. He is taken with her beauty and gentleness, and chooses her to be his queen.

5 TEACHER S CORNER Teacher s Notes Esther's story is one of the few stories in the Bible about women of courage. The book of Esther is special in many ways. Fun trivia to share: India is mentioned in the book of Esther (Esther 1:1). Esther goes through rigorous beauty treatments before she is presented to the King. Just like a bride today is prepared for her wedding, so Esther was groomed and gleaned for the King. She was very brave and courageous to go into the courts of the Persian king. She was a Jew. Yet, she did as her Uncle Mordecai had instructed her to do. When it was time for her to act, she did it with prayer and fasting, seeking God's favor. Encourage the children to be vigilant in prayer and ready to act just as Esther did so many years ago. Opening Prayer Dear God, Thank you for bringing us together today to learn from your word. Open the eyes of our hearts and the ears of our mind to listen to your message for us today. Amen. Closing Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for Esther. Thank you that you have a plan for each of us. Guide us to know your will in our life. Help us to be ready to do what is right when it is time. Amen.