Bible Point
God has special plans for
us, so let’s celebrate!
Bible Verse
“The Lord will work out his plans for my life” (Psalm 138:8a).
Growing Closer to Jesus
Children will n hear about beautiful Queen Esther,
n discover that God had wonderful plans for Esther, n learn that God has special plans for all of us, and n celebrate the fact that God’s plans are good.
Teacher Enrichment
Bible Basis
n Esther becomes queen.
“If God has plans for me, why doesn’t he just come out and tell me what they are?” Ever feel this way? We all have, especially during tough times when it feels like God might have forgotten about us. We can learn from the book of Esther in this regard.
That God had a plan—a good plan—might not have been immediately evident to Esther. Taken from her home and made to join a pagan king’s harem, she would no longer be free to marry a godly Jewish man and have a family. She would be subject to the whims of a person powerful enough to kill her should she displease him in any way. Yet, as in the case of Joseph, God prospered his servant in the midst of distressing circumstances and brought deliverance to his people. Because Esther found favor in the king’s eyes, the Jews were saved from genocide.
Consider this interesting fact: God is not mentioned even once in the entire book. What is to be learned from this omission? It reminds us that although God does not always appear as one of the visible actors in the drama of our life, he is always the director of that drama. He never ceases to care for his people.
Deliverance from Haman’s plot became the basis for the Jewish festival of Purim. Purim means “lots”; the title is taken from Haman’s casting of lots to determine the best day for carrying out his plans (Esther 3:7; 9:24, 26). Haman relied on occult superstition for guidance, but believers need never resort to such things. God will see his plan through.
Prayer
• Read Psalm 139:16-18.
• Do you believe it—that God has given thought to every moment of your life? Are there circumstances in your life right now that make you doubt that? Confess it to God.
• Pray: Lord, it amazes me to think that my life is so precious to you. Thank you that you have good things in mind for me and for my students. Help us trust your plans for us when…
Esther
2:1-18
This Lesson at a Glance
What Children Will Do
Classroom Supplies
Learning Lab Supplies
Welcome
Time
Welcome!—and be greeted by the teacher.Receive name tags,“Stone Tablet Name Tags” (p. 27), markers, pins or tape
Let’s Get
Started
Direct children to one or more of the optional activities until everyone arrives.Option 1: Regal Crowns—
Make simple crowns. Yellow paper, star stickers, crayons, scissors, glue, stapler, shiny wrapping paper
Option 2: Starry Snacks—
Create star-shaped snacks, and learn that Esther’s name means “star.”
Bread, spreadable cream cheese, plastic knives, candy sprinkles, star-shaped cookie cutters, plastic wrap, serving tray
Option 3: Royal Dress-Up—
Dress up as kings and queens, and hear about a party that was held for a new queen.
Dress-up items such as bathrobes, shawls, silky scarves, and plastic jewelry
Pick Up Our Toys—Sing a song as they pick up toys, and gather for Bible Story Time.
CD player
Bible Story
Time
Setting the Stage—something ordinary turn into Watch something special.Clear bowl of warm water
Bible Song and Prayer Time—Sing a song, bring out the Bible, and pray together.
Bible, construction paper, scissors, CD player, basket or box
Hear and Tell the Bible Story—Listen to a story from Esther 2:1-18, and learn about God’s special plans for Esther and Mordecai.
Bible, CD player, crowns from Option 1
Do the Bible Story—Have a royal celebration complete with singing and feasting.
Dress-up items from Option 3, Starry Snacks from Option 2, napkins, CD player
Closing
Beauty on the Inside—Teach Pockets that inner beauty is important.Ribbon or scarf, clip-on earrings
Puff Prayers—Blow a star around a circle as they pray and thank God.
Before the Lesson
n Collect the necessary items for the activities you plan to use. Refer to the Classroom Supplies and Learning Lab Supplies columns to determine what you’ll need.
n Make photocopies of the “Today I Learned…” handout (at the end of this lesson) to send home with your children. n Pray for the children in your class and for God’s direction in teaching the lesson.
Welcome Time
n
Welcome!
SUPPLIES: “Stone Tablet Name Tags” handouts (p. 27), markers, pins or tape • Bend down and make eye contact with children as they arrive.
• Greet each child individually with an enthusiastic smile. • Thank each child for coming to class today.
• As children arrive, ask them how they put last week’s lesson into practice. Ask questions such as “Was it hard to not wish for something your friend had?” and “What did you thank God for giving you last week?”
• Say: Today we’re going to learn that God has special plans for us, so let’s celebrate!
• Hand out the stone tablet name tags children made in Lesson 1, and help children attach the name tags to their clothing. If some of the name tags were damaged or if children weren’t in class that week, have them make new name tags using the photocopiable handout at the end of the first lesson.
• Direct children to the Let’s Get Started activities you’ve set up.
Let’s Get Started
Set up one or more of the following activities for children to do as they arrive. After you greet each child, invite him or her to choose an activity.
Circulate among the children to offer help as needed, and direct children’s conversation toward today’s lesson. Ask questions such as “What do you think it’s like to be a queen or a king?” or “What has God done that makes you want to celebrate?”
n
Option 1:
Regal Crowns
SUPPLIES: yellow paper, star stickers, crayons, scissors, glue, stapler, shiny wrapping paper
Before this activity, cut a 2x24-inch strip of yellow paper for each child. Set out scissors, glue, crayons, star stickers, bits of shiny wrapping paper, and the crown stamp and ink pad. Encourage children to decorate one side of their paper strips with the items you’ve set out. As each child finishes, staple the ends of the strip together to form a crown that will fit the child’s head. Be sure children make enough crowns for every child to have one. Explain that in today’s story, children will hear about a young woman who was chosen to be a queen.
n
Option 2:
Starry Snacks
SUPPLIES: bread, spreadable cream cheese, plastic knives, candy sprinkles, star-shaped cookie cutters, plastic wrap, serving tray
Set out bread, spreadable cream cheese, candy sprinkles, plastic knives, and star-shaped cookie cutters. Form an assembly line to make Starry Snacks. Have some
It’s important to say the Bible Point just as it’s written in each activity. Repeating the Bible Point over and over throughout the lesson will help kids remember it and apply it to their lives.
If you don’t choose Option 1, make a simple crown for each child to use during “Hear and Tell the Bible Story.”
If the ink pad is dry, moisten it with three to five drops of water.
children cut the bread with the cookie cutters; have some children spread cream cheese on the “stars”; have other children add candy sprinkles; and ask others to put the snacks on a serving tray. Then cover the snacks with plastic wrap. As children work, explain that today they’ll hear about a girl whose name, Esther, means “star.” Be sure children make enough treats for each child in the class to have one during “Do the Bible Story.”
n
Option 3:
Royal Dress-Up
SUPPLIES: dress-up items such as bathrobes, shawls, silky scarves, and plastic jewelry Set out a variety of “royal” dress-up clothes, such as bathrobes, shawls, silky scarves, plastic jewelry, and the linking hearts and stars. Encourage children to dress up as if they’re going to a royal party. Explain that in today’s Bible story, they’ll hear about a special party that was held in honor of a new queen. Save the dress-up clothes for use during “Do the Bible Story.”
When everyone has arrived and you’re ready to move on to the Bible Story Time, encourage the children to finish what they’re doing and get ready to clean up.
n
Pick Up Our Toys
SUPPLIES: CD player
Lead children in singing “Pick Up Our Toys” (track 2) with the
CD to the tune of “Skip to My Lou.” Encourage the children to sing
along as they help clean up the room.
If you want to include the names of all the children in your class, sing the song without the CD and repeat the naming section. If you choose to use the CD, vary the names you use each week.
We will pick up our toys. We will pick up our toys. We will pick up our toys And put them all away. There’s [name] picking up toys. There’s [name] picking up toys. There’s [name] picking up toys, Putting them all away.
(Repeat.)
Bible Story Time
n
Setting the Stage
SUPPLIES: clear bowl of warm water
Tell the children you’ll clap your hands to get their attention. Explain that when you clap, the children are to stop what they’re If you don’t choose Option 2,
provide a star-shaped snack, such as crackers, cookies, or star fruit, to serve during “Do the Bible Story.”
If you don’t choose Option 3, provide bathrobes, plastic jewelry, silky scarves, and other dress-up items for use during “Do the Bible Story.”
doing, raise their hands, and focus on you. Encourage children to respond quickly so you’ll have time for all the fun activities you’ve planned.
Have the children form a circle, and place a clear bowl of warm water in the middle. Hold up the bag containing the dissolving pellet. It’s important to keep the pellet in the bag so children aren’t tempted to put it in their mouths.
Ask: • What do you think this might be? (A vitamin; medicine; candy.) Say: This little pellet doesn’t look like anything very special. Let’s see what happens when we put it in water.
Open the bag, and drop the pellet into the water. After about a minute, the pellet will start to dissolve, and children will see a star-shaped sponge emerge.
Wring out the sponge, and pass it around for children to examine.
Ask: • What did you think when you first saw the pellet? (That it wasn’t very neat; that it was just a little piece of candy; that it was too small to do anything.)
• What did you think when you saw it change in the water? (I thought it was neat; it was cool; it was a fun toy.)
Say: Today we’ll hear about a young woman named Esther. Hold up the sponge.Esther means “star.” Esther didn’t think there was anything very special about herself, but the king chose her to become his queen! Just as I knew that the little pellet would turn into a star, God knew about his special plans for Esther to become a queen. God has special plans for us, so let’s celebrate! Let’s put our sponge away so we can learn about God’s plans for Esther.
Put the bowl of water away, and set the star sponge aside for the Closing activity.
n
Bible Song and Prayer Time
SUPPLIES: Bible, construction paper, scissors, basket or box, CD player
Before class, make surprise cards for this activity by cutting construction paper into 2x6-inch slips. Prepare a surprise card for each child, plus a few extras for visitors. Fold the cards in half, and then stamp the crown stamp inside one of the surprise cards. Bookmark Esther 2:1-18 in the Bible you’ll be using.
Have the children form a circle. Say: Now it’s time to choose a Bible person to bring me the Bible marked with today’s Bible story. As we sing our Bible song, I’ll pass out surprise cards. Don’t look inside your surprise card until the song is over.
Lead the children in singing “Read God’s Book” (track 3) with the CD to the tune of “The Muffin Man.” As you sing, pass out the folded surprise cards.
Now it’s time to read God’s book, Read God’s book, read God’s book. Now it’s time to read God’s book. Let’s hear a Bible story.
(Repeat 3x.)
After the song, say: You may look inside your surprise cards. The person who finds the crown stamped inside his or her card will be our Bible person for today.
To help the pellet dissolve quickly, make sure the water is warmer than lukewarm but is safe to touch.
Identify the Bible person, and then have the rest of the children clap for him or her. Ask the Bible person to bring you the Bible. Help the Bible person open the Bible to the marked place and show children where your story comes from. Then have the Bible person sit down.
Say: [Name] was our special Bible person today. Each week we’ll have only one special Bible person, but each one of you is a special part of our class! Today we’re all learning that God has special plans for us, so let’s celebrate!
Let’s say a special prayer now and thank God for his special plans. I’ll pass around this basket. When the basket comes to you, put your surprise card in it and say, “God, thank you for your special plans.”
Pass around the basket or box. When you’ve collected everyone’s surprise card, set the basket aside, and pick up the Bible. Lead children in this prayer: God, thank you for the Bible and all the stories in it. Teach us today that you have special plans for us, so we can celebrate! In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Hear and Tell the Bible Story
SUPPLIES: Bible, CD player, crowns from Option 1
Point to the Bible and say: Our Bible story today comes from the book of Esther. Hold up the Bible
Big Book: Esther. Our Bible Big Book shows us pictures of our Bible story.
Bring out the crowns children made in Option 1 or that you prepared for this activity. Give each child a crown, and then say: Our story today is about a young woman named Esther and her cousin Mordecai. God had a special plan for Esther, and Mordecai had an important part in God’s plan. Let’s listen to the story and find out what God’s special plan was. Whenever you hear the name Esther, wiggle your fingers like a twinkling star because Esther’s name means “star.”
Wiggle your fingers to demonstrate. Whenever you hear the word king, hold your crown over your head, and then set it down. Demonstrate the motions.
Hold up the Bible Big Book so children can see the first page. Play “Queen Esther” (track 15) on the CD. Lead children in the appropriate motions when you hear the key words.
When the story ends, turn off the CD player, and put the Bible Big Book away and out of sight.
Allow children to wear their crowns as they respond to the following questions. Ask: • What was God’s special plan for Esther? (To be the queen; to be chosen over all the other women.)
• What secret did Mordecai tell Esther to keep? Why? (That she was Jewish, because he thought something bad might happen to Esther.)
• How did God keep Esther safe? (She made friends with the king’s servants; she was given a special place of honor; King Xerxes chose her to be queen.)
• What did the king do after he made Esther the queen? (He held a banquet in her honor; he had a party; he made a holiday in the land.)
Say: Just as God had special plans for Esther, God has special plans for us, so let’s celebrate! Let’s have a celebration right now!
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Do the Bible Story
SUPPLIES: dress-up items from Option 3, Starry Snacks from Option 2, napkins, CD player Bring out the dress-up items from Option 3. If you didn’t choose Option 3, provide bathrobes, plastic jewelry, silky scarves, and other dress-up items. Say: Let’s dress up and pretend we’re going to the party for Queen Esther. After we’re all ready, we’ll sing a celebration song.
After children have put on the royal clothes, lead children in singing “God’s Plans” (track 16) with the CD to the tune of “This Old Man.” As you sing, invite children to march around the table and follow your actions.
God has plans (point to heaven)
That we’ll see (make binoculars with hands)—
Special plans
For you and me. (Point to a friend and then to self.)
Jump up, clap three times (jump up and then clap three times),
Now slap on your knees! (Pat hands on knees.)
Celebrate God’s plans with me. (Turn in a circle, wiggling outstretched fingers.)
Special plans
For work and play (hammer fists together; then open hands and raise them up)
And helping friends along the way. (Shake someone’s hand.)
Jump up, clap three times (jump up and then clap three times),
Now let’s shout, “Hooray!” (Raise arms and shout, “Hooray!”)
Celebrate God’s plans today! (Turn in a circle, wiggling outstretched fingers.)
After the song, turn off the CD player, and have children gather at a table. Distribute napkins and the Starry Snacks from Option 2. If you didn’t choose Option 2, provide a star-shaped snack, such as crackers, cookies, or star fruit.
Before children eat, say: Esther was honored as royalty at a special banquet. We’re royalty, too, because we’re children of God, the heavenly king! God has special plans for us, so let’s celebrate! And the greatest of God’s special plans is for us to get to know his Son, Jesus. If we believe in Jesus and he becomes our forever friend, one day we will live in heaven, too. That’s really something to celebrate!
After the children eat their snacks, have them put their dress-up clothes away before moving on to the next activity.
Closing
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Beauty on the Inside
SUPPLIES: ribbon or scarf, clip-on earrings
Bring out Pockets the Kangaroo wearing clip earrings, a scarf or ribbon, and a necklace made of linking hearts and stars. Go through the following script; then have kids wave goodbye and put Pockets away and out of sight.
Pockets:
Hi, everybody!Teacher:
Hi, Pockets. You’re certainly all dressed up. Are you going to a costume party?Pockets:
(Sounding confused) No.Teacher:
Oh, so you’re playing dress-up. We were doing that earlier. It was fun.Pockets:
(Sounding frustrated) I’m not playing dress-up.Teacher:
You aren’t? Well then why are you wearing all that jewelry?Pockets:
It’s my mom’s. I put it on to make myself look pretty. (Sighing) But I don’t think it’s working.Teacher:
Well, maybe you overdid it a bit…Pockets:
You mean I look silly. I knew it! I’m never going to be beautiful!Teacher:
Oh, Pockets, you don’t need all this fancy stuff to be beautiful. You’re beautiful just the way you are.Pockets:
But I heard you say that Esther got to be a queen because she was so beautiful.Teacher:
Esther was beautiful, but that wasn’t the only reason she became a queen. Who can tell Pockets why Esther became a queen? (Prompt children to tell Pockets that Estherbecame queen because she was nice and because it was God’s plan for her.)
Pockets:
So Esther got to be a queen because that was God’s plan? You mean her beauty didn’t have anything to do with it?Teacher:
The Bible tells us that everyone who saw Esther liked her. They didn’t just like the way she looked. They liked who she was on the inside, too. Esther’s real beauty was on the inside!Pockets:
I want to be beautiful on the inside, too. How do I do that?Teacher:
Well, by loving God and following him, by being kind to those around you, and by loving other people. Those are just a few ways. God has special plans for us, so let’s celebrate! A joyful heart is very beautiful!Pockets:
Then I’m going to take these earrings off because they pinch! I’m glad it’s most important to be beautiful on the inside. In fact, I think I’ll go have a celebration with my family right now! See you next week!Permission to photocopy this handout from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum®, Pre-K & K, granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Avenue, Loveland, CO 80538. group.com
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Puff Prayers
SUPPLIES: none
Have children form a tight circle and sit down.
Say: Let’s take a look at our Bible verse for today. It comes from Psalm 138:8a: “The Lord will work out his plans for my life.” We can trust God to help us with his plans.
Ask: • What sorts of plans do you think God has for your life? (Good plans; special plans; the best plans.)
• How will God help you with those plans? (By showing me what to do; by making good things happen for me; by listening to my prayers.)
Say: God loves us, and he is going to help us with his plans for our lives.
God has special plans for us, so let’s celebrate by thanking God in prayer.
Hold up the star sponge. Earlier we saw a little pellet turn into a bright, spongy star. Let’s use the star to thank God.
Hold the star on your palm, and complete the sentence “Thank you, God, for…” You might thank God for things such as your family, the children in your class, or your church. After completing the sentence, hold up your palm, and blow the star into the air. When the star lands on the ground, allow the child sitting closest to the star to pick it up. Have that child hold the star, complete the sentence, and then blow the star to someone else. When each child has thanked God, join hands and say “amen!”
Say: God has special plans for all of us. This week, remember to celebrate as you think of the wonderful things God has planned for you.
Before children leave class, have them wash their hands. Collect their name tags for next week’s use.
Growing closer to Jesus extends
beyond the classroom.
Photocopy the “Today I Learned…’’ handout (at the end of this lesson) for this week, and send it home with your children. Encourage parents to use the handout to plan meaningful family activities to reinforce this week’s topic.
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Lively Learning: Crowning Around
Bring in a CD of upbeat music. Have children form a circle. Hold up a crown from Option 1. If you didn’t choose Option 1, hook the linking hearts and stars together to form a crown. Say: While the music plays, pass the crown around the circle. If you’re holding the crown when I stop the music, place the crown on the head of the person next to you. Then say something special about that person, such as “You have a nice smile” or “I’m glad you came today.”
After several children have been crowned, have everyone turn to his or her neighbors and affirm them. Remind children that God had plans for Esther to be the queen and that God has special plans for us, too.
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Make to Take: Royal Robes
Before this activity, gather a large paper grocery sack for each child. In each sack, cut a slit down the center of the back, and then cut holes out for the neck and the arms.
Set out the paper bag “robes,” scissors, glue, crayons, construction paper, shiny wrapping paper, glitter glue, crown stamp, and ink pad. Let children decorate their robes with the items you’ve set out. Remind children that God had great plans for Esther and that God has special plans for us.
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Treat to Eat: Bagel Crowns
Give each child half of a plain bagel. Let children spread jelly over the top of the bagel and arrange chocolate chip or golden raisin “jewels” around the edge to make a crown. Remind children that God has plans for us just as God had plans for Esther to be queen.
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Story Picture: Esther Becomes the Queen
Hand each child a photocopy of the “Today I Learned…” handout. Set out crayons and foil star stickers. Allow children to color their handouts and then use the star stickers to decorate Esther’s crown and robe. Remind children that Esther’s name means “star” and that God had a special plan for her to be queen.
For Extra Time
If you have a long class time or want to add additional elements to your lesson, try one of the following activities.
Verse to Learn
“The Lord will work out his plans for my life” (Psalm 138:8a).
Ask Me…
l What special plan did God have for Esther?
l How does it feel to know that God has special plans for you?
l How can our family celebrate God’s goodness?
Family Fun
l This week, honor each other by allowing a different family member to be “King for the Day” or “Queen for the Day.” Let the King or Queen wear a paper crown at mealtimes, sit on a special “throne,” and lead the family in prayer.
l Declare your own holiday this week to celebrate God’s special plans for us. Proclaim a day of feasting and playing. As you celebrate, talk about God’s special plans for your family.
Today your child learned that God’s special plans for us give us reason to celebrate. Children discovered that Esther became queen because that was God’s plan. They learned that God has special plans for them, too!
Esther Becomes Queen (Esther 2:1-18)
God has special
plans for us, so let’s
celebrate!
