Lesson 47 Judges through Esther Ages 6-7 Unit 9: The King Who Builds His Kingdom Queen Esther Saves God s People KINGS AND KINGDOMS PART 2

Transcription

1 Lesson 47 Judges through Esther Ages 6-7 Unit 9: The King Who Builds His Kingdom Queen Esther Saves God s People KINGS AND KINGDOMS PART 2 THE WORSHIP, THE WORD, & THE WAY THE WORSHIP Who God is: The King Who Builds His Kingdom THE WORD Bible Story: Esther 2:7, 20; 4:12-16; 5:1-4 What He has done: God gave Queen Esther the courage and opportunity to save His people. Key Verse: Esther 4:14 THE WAY Aim: To know God gives us courage and opportunities. Christ Connection: 2 Corinthians 6:2 BIBLE MEMORY VERSE With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:6a, 8 (Grades 1-2) To The Teachers For your own encouragement this week, read Proverbs 31:8-9. Please join us in praying this week s Teacher s Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the courage You give us to speak up in defense of others and in defense of Your Word. Fill us with Your Spirit that we might boldly teach Your truth. Amen. PREPARE (Before arrival) [] Highlight Esther 2:7, 20; 4:12-16; 5:1-4 and 2 Corinthians 6:2 in your Bible. [] Read this Teacher s Guide. [] Each week, be sure to reserve adequate time to cover THE WORD, THE WAY, and The Golden Bowl. Then, as time allows, choose a Got Time? activity or create your own activity to illustrate the Bible Story, the Aim, or the Bible Memory Verse Song. PRESET [] Chairs in a semi-circle or rows, preset pencils, note cards, Bibles, Daily Way Lesson 47 [] Scripture Reading: Joshua 1:9 [] Bible Memory Verse Song: Do Justly [] Scripture references 1 & 2 hidden behind curtain, secret door, etc. [] Map showing Sushan (Susa) which is the modern day city of Shush, Iran [] Bible Timeline: Esther (Circa 460 B.C.) [] THE WAY: Queen Esther Story Cards (See THE WAY for directions), a scepter (a stick, tube or pencil decorated with gold paint, foil, tinsel, craft jewels, etc.) [] Treasure Treat: Kingdom Jewel (jewel-colored hard candy or a craft jewel) [] Got Time?: Two crowns (paper or plastic) and two scepters (gold or silver painted sticks), two chairs, masking tape (or chalk or ribbon), pretzel sticks, frosting, sprinkles, drink, napkins, plates, cups, sturdy paper, fasteners (yarn, metal brads, or three ring notebook), hole punch, markers or crayons, glue, assorted craft supplies and magazines for cutting, Unit 9 Bible Memory Verse poster, 47 toy blocks, labels (or strips of paper and tape) [] Worship Leader Elements: King City Chronicles Sketch or Storybook Lesson 47, music Resources: The additional resources referred to in this lesson and supplemental materials are available at Contents include the drama Sketches and Storybook chapters, Bible Memory Verse Songs, seasonal materials and so much more. To be a resource yourself, click on the Teacher s Blog tab to share your ideas with teachers worldwide. 1

2 1. THE WORSHIP (15 minutes) Worship Theme: The King Who Builds His Kingdom Use arrival time to connect with the children, creating an environment where they feel welcome. Use the Meet & Greet question to spark anticipation for today s focus. Meet & Greet Question: What is the bravest thing you have ever done? We worship the King who builds His Kingdom. Throughout history, God has used believers, non-believers, kings and kingdoms on earth to build His Kingdom. We can trust God to give us the courage we need to follow Jesus and do whatever He calls us to do. We trust that God will use this offering to build His Kingdom through serving others and pointing them to Him. (Collect offering.) Worship Elements: Scripture Reading: Joshua 1:9 Collect and lead prayer for an offering. Read Storybook or perform Sketch: King City Chronicles, Lesson 47. Song Suggestions: Unit 9 Bible Memory Verse Song: Do Justly Select songs that focus on courage and trust: I Will Call Upon The Lord Cedarmont Worship For Kids 2, Cedarmont Kids Everlasting God Worship For Kids, Volume 4 Step By Step Cedarmont Worship For Kids 1, Cedarmont Kids Chosen People My Heart Trusts In You Shout Praises Kids 3 Bible Memory Verse Song Do Justly Micah 6:6a, 8 (NIV) (Verse) With what shall I come before the Lord And bow myself before the High God? With what shall I come before the Lord? Man is asking, always asking. But He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? (Chorus) But to do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with your God. To do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with your God. To do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with your God. To do justly to love mercy to walk humbly with your God. (Repeat Verse) (Repeat Chorus) With your God. Sheet music and recordings available at t. This is the children s opportunity to worship God with you. Designate a special corner or area for worship. As their role model for worship, lead by example, fully participating with the children as they worship. 2

3 2. THE WORD (5 minutes) Queen Esther Speaks Up For Her People Transition: As you move from worship to instruction, change rooms or locations within a room to help children mentally and physically prepare for the lesson. For additional transition ideas and games see Got Time? at the end of this lesson or go to and click on Lesson 47, >Write your name on your card and place it in the Golden Bowl. Before we read God s Word, let s go over our Class Covenant. A covenant is an agreement. Just as God made a covenant with His people, I ask each of you to make this covenant promise with me today. Listen as I read our Class Covenant. (Read Class Covenant.) Class Covenant I will keep my on my teacher, my in control, my s on God s Word; knowing God is my goal. (If a Bible Timeline is available, point to Ezra (Circa 500 B.C.), Nehemiah (Circa 430 B.C.), and Esther (Circa 460 B.C.). For Bible Timeline Review information, see Got Time?) Last time we learned that a man named Nehemiah was sent from Babylon by King Artaxerxes to rebuild the city wall around Jerusalem. Today we will learn how God used a beautiful young lady named Esther to save His people in a foreign land. (If map is available, point out Sushan (Susa) which is east of Babylon. It is the modern day city of Shush, Iran.) If you brought your Bible, open it now and share with others. (Hand out spare Bibles.) Today s Scripture verse is behind the curtain. (Or secret door, secret window, etc. Child unveils Scripture #1: Esther 2:7, 20; 4:12-16; 5:1-4.) Before we read, let s stand and ask God to open our eyes, ears, hearts and minds to His Word today. Who d like to pray that for us? (Child prays aloud.) Be seated. King Xerxes (pronounced Zirk-sees) searched throughout his kingdom for a new queen. God had been preparing Esther for this since she was a child. (Read Esther 2:7, 20.) The king ordered everyone to bow down to his officer Haman. Mordecai refused to bow down he would only bow to God. So, Haman planned to have God s people, the Jews, in the kingdom killed. Mordecai ask Queen Esther to save the Jews by talking to the king. But the king s law said she could be killed if she came to the king without first being invited by him. (Read 4:12-16; 5:1-4.) At the dinner, Queen Esther told King Xerxes about Haman s evil plan. He punished Haman with death and passed a law so God s people could defend themselves. Queen Esther had saved God s people! Lift up God s Word: To create anticipation, conceal Scripture references for Bible Story and Christ Connection in a place of honor. Then unveil references for Find It First and Scripture reading. For more information, click on the Resources tab at 3

4 3. THE WAY (13 minutes) Finding Courage to Speak Up QUEEN ESTHER CARDS APPLICATION GAME PURPOSE: To review the story of Queen Esther speaking to King Xerxes to save God s people. SUPPLIES: To create Queen Esther Story Cards, print the following eight sentences and the corresponding symbol on eight separate sheets of paper, one sentence and symbol per card. Do not number the cards. DIRECTIONS: Read the Queen Esther Story Cards in the order below to review the story. Shuffle and distribute cards to eight cardholders who stand in random order displaying their cards. Remaining children see how quickly they can rearrange the cardholders in the story s correct order: 1. Esther is crowned the Queen of Persia. (Symbol: crown) 2. Mordecai won t bow to Haman. (Symbol: stick figure of a man standing, arms folded) 3. Haman plans to kill Mordecai s people. (Symbol: angry face) 4. Mordecai asks Esther to go to the king for help. (Symbol: male face, female face with crown) 5. All God s people fast and pray for Esther. (Symbol: praying hands) 6. The king extends his scepter and allows Queen Esther to speak. (Symbol: scepter) 7. Queen Esther asks the king to stop Haman s evil plan against the Jews. (Symbol: male and female faces with crowns) 8. The king makes a law to keep God s people safe. (Stop sign and smiley face) Everyone was afraid to go to the king without an invitation, but Queen Esther knew Haman planned to hurt her people. Before going to the king, Queen Esther had everyone pray. It wasn t easy, but she bravely spoke up and told the person in charge, King Xerxes, about the evil plan. She knew she was safe when the king held out his scepter so she could touch it. Tattling is trying to get someone in trouble. It is wrong to tattle, but if someone is about to hurt themselves or others then it is right to tell the person in charge. Did Esther tattle, or bravely do right? (She did right by praying and telling the king about the evil plan.) THE SPEAKING SCEPTER APPLICATION GAME PURPOSE: The scepter is used as a talking stick to encourage bravery in speaking the truth. SUPPLIES: A scepter (stick, tube or pencil decorated with gold paint, foil, tinsel, craft jewels, etc.) Bravery is not being without fear. It is doing what is right even though you are afraid. Today we will pass the Speaking Scepter to anyone who wants to share about a time when God made you brave to speak the truth. Perhaps you bravely told the person in charge about someone who was being hurt or teased. Or you may know of an upcoming event when you will need to be brave. If you d like to speak, raise your hand. Just as Queen Esther did, wait to touch the scepter before you speak. Remember that only the person holding the scepter may speak. (Pass scepter to any child who wishes to speak. When all the children who would like a turn have spoken, hold the scepter and pray for all of the situations mentioned.) CHRIST CONNECTION Connecting the Old Testament, the New Testament and Us God heard the prayers of Queen Esther and her people. In His perfect timing, God helped them. Check out the promise God gives us about hearing us and helping us oday. Everyone place your Bible on your laps. (Choose a child to unveil Scripture #2: 2 Corinthians 6:2.) Let s find this verse. (Read 2 Corinthians 6:2.) 4

5 THE WAY continued GOLDEN BOWL Revelation 5:8 The Golden Bowl cont ains names of classmates, a local church leader and a child in another nation. The Bible says that our prayers are like sweet smelling incense in the golden bowls at God s throne. So I m going to lift each one of you up to God s throne out loud as you pray for each person silently. Then we ll pray out loud the Lord s Prayer. (Matthew 6:9-13.) Let s pray. Lord God, we lift up to Your throne the name of each child here. We trust You to watch over us and our needs: the ones we say out loud and the ones hidden in our hearts. First, we lift up to You,, (read names in Golden Bowl). Now, we pray the prayer Your Son taught us. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. FINAL FIVE When only 5 minutes remain, begin this segment. TREASURE TREAT Today, your Treasure Treat is a Kingdom Jewel. Imagine what expensive jewels may have been on King Xerxes gold scepter. Each time you see this jewel, remember to bravely speak about the truth just like Queen Esther! DAILY WAY CHALLENGE Did anyone bring in their completed Daily Way from last time? (Praise or reward those who returned Daily Way; collect in basket.) Take home this week s Daily Way. (Distribute Lesson 47 Daily Way 5-day Bible study.) Complete this at home and let God speak to you through His own words in the Bible. Return it and place it in our class basket. When we fill the basket, we ll celebrate with a class surprise! OFFERING OF ART That s it for today. Thank you all for coming. Until your parent arrives, make an Offering of Art. For your offering, draw a picture of Queen Esther touching King Xerxes scepter while he is seated on his throne. (The Offering of Art can be finished at home or given as an offering to the teacher for display.) BIBLE MEMORY VERSE SONG Play the Unit 9 Bible Memory Verse Song in the background as children wait for their parents. Encourage them to sing along. PRAYER REQUESTS How can I pray for you this week? (As students work on their Offering of Art, write individual requests in your teacher s prayer notebook.) 5

6 4. GOT TIME? If time remains, choose from the connected activities below. LESSON ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES ACCEPT THE SCEPTER RACE GETTING STARTED GAME PURPOSE: To introduce the story of Esther and how God gave her courage to save His people. SUPPLIES: Two crowns (paper or plastic) and two scepters (gold or silver painted sticks), two chairs, masking tape (or chalk or ribbon) PREPARE: Create two equal, parallel lines (several feet long), on the floor with tape, chalk or ribbon. Place a chair at the end of each line. SAY> Let s play a royal race! We will form two teams of royal subjects. Each royal subject must be accepted by his or her king. The kings will only accept one of their royal subjects at a time. However, you must be full of courage and cross over an imaginary pit of alligators (or snakes, crocodiles, or boiling lava) to see the king. Don t step off the bridge because you could fall into the pit! Let s see which team of royal subjects is accepted by their king first! DIRECTIONS: 1. Form two teams with equal numbers of children. 2. Each team lines up on one end of a line. 3. Choose a king from each team. 4. The king sits on a chair at other end of the team s line and holds a scepter. 5. On your signal, the first child on each team walks across the line to the team s king as if balancing on a balance beam. If the child steps off the line, he or she must return to the start and begin again. (Only the king, teacher, or assistant should judge if the child has stepped off the tape.) 6. The king holds out the scepter to the child. Child touches scepter and returns around side of the imaginary pit to touch the next child in line. 7. Next child takes turn. Play continues until all of the children have had a turn. 8. The goal is to be the first team to finish the game. ASK> Why did you have to pretend to have courage to see the king? (Had to cross the pit of alligators or snakes, crocodiles or boiling lava.) Today we will discover the story of Queen Esther. She had to have courage to go see the king when she had not been invited. In those days, that was as dangerous as walking on a narrow bridge over a pit of hungry alligators! If the king accepted her, he would hold out his scepter for her to touch. Let s find out what happened! 6

7 GOT TIME? continued SALTY SCEPTERS SNACK PURPOSE: Children will eat a snack while personally connecting to the story. SUPPLIES: Pretzel sticks, frosting, sprinkles, drink, napkins, plates, cups ASK> God gave Queen Esther courage so she could talk to King Xerxes. How did the king show that he accepted Esther s visit? (He extended his scepter.) Let s make and eat our own scepters. As we eat, let s talk about brave things you have done. DIRECTIONS: 1. Distribute snack. 2. Child prays to thank God for the snack. 3. Children twist pretzel sticks in frosting and then sprinkle colorful sprinkles jewels over frosting. 4. Ask the Meet & Greet Question: What is the bravest thing you have ever done? FAVORITE PROVERBS BOOK: COURAGE APPLICATION CRAFT PURPOSE: For each child to make a book throughout Unit 9 containing a collection of proverbs related to the lesson topic for that week. SUPPLIES: Sturdy paper, fasteners (yarn, metal brads, or three ring notebook), hole punch, markers or crayons, glue, assorted craft supplies and magazines for cutting PREPARE: Print or write each of the following proverbs on separate sheet of paper. Create a set of verses for each child. Proverbs 28:1 The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. Proverbs. 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. Proverbs 1:33 But whoever listens to Me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. Proverbs 31:8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Proverbs 12:7 Wicked men are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm. ASK> How did Queen Esther show courage? (She went to see the king without an invitation. She asked the king to save God s people.) What did Queen Esther, her servants, Mordecai and all of the Jews do before she went to see the king? (They fasted: which means they probably prayed for God to give Esther courage.) 7

8 GOT TIME? continued FAVORITE PROVERBS BOOK: COURAGE continued SAY> Let s add five proverbs about courage to our Favorite Proverbs books. Be sure to read and talk about what each proverb tells you about courage. Here is a little about each verse to help you learn more about it. Proverbs 28:1: The people who do not love God are afraid, so what does that mean for those who do love God? Proverbs 29:25 and Proverbs 1:33: Fear is like a trap. How? What happens to the people who trust God? Feeling safe with God means you can be brave in everything you do for God! Proverbs 31:8: Since God gives you courage, what should you do for people who need help? You can have courage to speak up for others, just like Queen Esther did for God s people! Proverbs 12:7: Do you need to worry if you trust God? God will make you strong and help you have courage. DIRECTIONS: 1. If needed, create a title page: write Favorite Proverbs in large letters. 2. SAY> Decorate your Proverbs pages with pictures of courage and bravery. You can cut out or draw pictures of times you were brave and times when you are sometimes afraid. Pray that God will give you courage. (Provide assorted craft supplies and magazines for cutting out pictures of courage.) 3. Distribute the proverb pages to children as they finish decorating their title pages. 4. Place the proverb pages together in a neat stack with the title page on top. Make sure the page edges are even and punch three holes down the left side of the stack. 5. Fasten the book together. (For example: tie, or weave, yarn through the holes, use a metal brad in each hole and spread the prongs to secure, or provide each child with a three-ring binder notebook.) 6. As you work, read and discuss the Proverbs you are adding to your book. *Teacher Tip: This craft is designed as continuous craft throughout Unit 9 with children bringing their books and adding new proverbs each week; however, each lesson s book can be created individually. 8

9 GOT TIME? continued BIBLE MEMORY VERSE ACTIVITIES Unit 9 Bible Memory Verse: With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with you r God. Micah 6:6a, 8 BUILD THE WALL VERSE PURPOSE: Children learn the Unit 9 Bible Memory Verse. SUPPLIES: Unit 9 Bible Memory Verse poster, 47 toy blocks, labels (paper strips and tape), marker or printer PREPARE: Print or write one word from the Unit 9 Bible Memory Verse on individual labels or strips of paper. Stick one word on each block. Mix up the blocks. Display the Unit 9 Bible Memory Verse poster. DIRECTIONS: 1. Say the Unit 9 Bible Memory Verse together several times. 2. Stack the blocks in a pile. 3. The children work together to stack the blocks in the correct order. 4. Read the Unit 9 Bible Memory Verse together from the blocks. KINGDOM BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS PURPOSE: Children learn the meaning of the Unit 9 Bible Memory Verse. SUPPLIES: Unit 9 Bible Memory Verse poster PREPARE: Display the Unit 9 Bible Memory Verse poster. ASK> What do you think a king s kingdom should look like? (Children respond.) God wants us to help Him build His Kingdom. God s Kingdom is different. It isn t made up of huge castles and walls that we need to build. God s Kingdom is filled with people who love and worship Him. SAY> You can help God build His Kingdom by helping Him fill it full of people. Each time we meet together, we learn more about how we can help build God s Kingdom by living our lives the way God wants us to live. When other people see how we are living for God, they might want to praise God and be a part of His Kingdom, too. ASK> Our Bible Memory Verse tells us three things we should do to help God build His Kingdom. What are those three things? (Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God.) What does it mean to act justly? (Be fair to everyone, don t have favorites or leave other people out.) What does it mean to love mercy? (Love to help other people in need.) How can you love mercy? (Children brainstorm examples.) What does it mean to walk humbly? (Don t brag or make yourself look better than other people.) 9

10 GOT TIME? continued BIBLE TIMELINE REVIEW PURPOSE: To review the recent Bible Stories studied to see the continuing story of God and His people. SUPPLIES: Bible Timeline (Many children s Bible Timelines are available for purchase. To create your own, see the Teacher Tip below.) PREPARE: Hang the Bible Timeline on a wall or other visible location. DIRECTIONS: Point the Bible Timeline. Ask the corresponding questions below. Ezra (Circa 500 B.C.) Why did King Artaxerxes send Ezra to Jerusalem? (To teach the people to obey God s laws. Ezra loved to study and teach God s laws.) What did Ezra do when he saw the people were disobeying God? (He confessed their sins to God.) Who joined Ezra when he was crying and confessing? (A crowd of men, women and children joined and cried.) After confessing, what did Ezra lead the people to do? (Repent: To turn from disobeying and turn towards God to do things His way.) Nehemiah (Circa 430 B.C.) What did Nehemiah ask King Artaxerxes? (He asked for permission to go rebuild Jerusalem s city wall.) How did Nehemiah use the families of Jerusalem to rebuild the city wall? (He gave each family a part of the wall to rebuild.) What was Nehemiah s plan for defending the families against the enemy as they built the wall? (He posted guards and had the workers carry supplies in one hand and a weapon in the other.) Esther (Circa 460 B.C.) Who did King Xerxes, the king of Persia, choose as his queen? (Esther.) What did Mordecai ask Queen Esther to do? (To ask the king to save God s people.) How did the king show Queen Esther that it was safe for her to come and talk to him? (He extended his scepter to her for her to touch.) Did the king agree to Queen Esther s request? (Yes.) *Teacher Tip: How to create Bible Timeline 1. Print Lesson title or person s name with historical date (whenever available) on an index card. Before each lesson, add that new card to the timeline. 2. For a more colorful timeline, substitute index cards with pictures portraying key events, themes, or elements of each story, such as the pictures used in unveiling the weekly scripture in THE WORD segment of the lesson. 3. Dates can be included or omitted. Dates listed are approximations of the year of a major event in that person s life, or year of birth. 4. Attach card to wall or clothesline in the following order: Creation > Adam and Eve > Cain and Abel > Noah (Circa 2350.B.C.) > Babel > Abram and Lot (Circa 2100 B.C.)> Hagar and Ishmael > Abraham and Isaac (Circa 2050 B.C.) > Isaac and Rebekah > Jacob and Esau (Circa 1900 B.C.) > Joseph (Circa 1850 B.C.) > Moses (Circa 1500 B.C.) > Joshua (Circa 1450 B.C.) > Deborah (Circa 1350 B.C.) Deborah (Circa 1350 B.C.) > Gideon (Circa 1250 B.C.) > Samson (Circa 1150 B.C) > Ruth > Samuel (Circa 1100 B.C.) > Saul (Circa 1050 B.C.) > David (Circa 1020 B.C.) > Solomon (Circa 970 B.C.) > Josiah (Circa 640 B.C.) > Ezra (Circa 500 B.C.) > Nehemiah (Circa 430 B.C.) > Esther (Circa 460 B.C.) 10