Esther

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2nd/3rd Grade – June 3

Character Stories  Lesson 6

Esther Bible Verse It could be that you were made queen for a time like this. (Esther 4:14)

Teacher Enrichment This is the sixth lesson in the Character Stories series which encounters characters from both the Old and New Testament; some very well-known and others you may have never “met.” Each week will explore the actions, motivations and experiences of a character and determine what that person’s story teaches us about how God wants us to live. Esther was a young, Jewish woman living in Persia under the rule of King Xerxes and she had been raised by her cousin Mordecai. King Xerxes required a new wife and after a prolonged search, he chose to marry Esther and crown her queen. During King Xerxes rule, a decree was passed to kill all Jews living in Persia. Esther, a Jew herself, surely never expected to be in position to save all of the Jewish people in Persia, but that is exactly where God placed her. God had a plan to save His people and Esther got to be a part of that plan. As Mordecai said “it could be you were made queen for a time like this.” Even though we may watch royal weddings on TV, most of us will never be crowned queen, but God is still calling us to be a special part of His plan. Micah 6:8 conveys that God’s plan for each of us is to “act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” Put simply, show the world God’s love. And just as God placed Esther, He is placing each of us. He gives us unique gifts and talents that allow us to help with His plan. Wherever we are, whether it be on a royal throne or on the playground or in our own homes, we can look for opportunities to use our gifts to execute God’s plan. This lesson will teach children that God’s plan is for the whole world to know God’s love. They will understand that God gives them unique, special ways to be part of His plan.

Before Class Begins  Place the Sign In sheet and a pen where parents can see it upon arrival.  Place the Joy & Concern cards, Time & Talent cards and pens where students can see them upon arrival.  Check that you have supplies for this lesson: - Arrival Activity, Esther activity sheet – 1 per child - Large puzzle pieces – 1 per child - Crowns – 1 per child - Small puzzle pieces (for crown craft) - Foam stickers  Place an arrival activity at each place on the table.

Welcome SUPPLIES: Sign In sheet, Joy & Concern cards, Time & Talent cards, Attendance chart, stickers, pens, Esther activity sheet, crayons  Greet each child individually as they arrive. Introduce yourself by name.  Help children find or add their name on the attendance chart. Provide each child  

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with a sticker to place in today’s column on the attendance chart. Encourage children to complete a Joy or Concern card if they have a particular joy or concern they would like to express. Collect completed Joy & Concern cards. Encourage children to complete a Time or Talent offering card if they gave their time to God or used their talents to serve God or others during the previous week. Children should keep their own completed Time and Talent cards. If children bring monetary offering, they should keep it with them. Direct children to complete Esther activity sheet. Encourage conversation among the children and with you! Get to know the children in your classroom by asking about their week including school, activities and families. Introduce new children to each other and encourage friendships.

Character Stories  Lesson 6

Children’s Worship SUPPLIES: Sign In sheet, Joy & Concern cards, Time & Talent cards  The Children’s Worship Leader will direct your class to come to Ruth Hall at 9:20 or      

11:05. Bring the Sign In sheet and completed Joy & Concern cards to Ruth Hall. Hand the Joy & Concern cards to the Children’s Worship leader as you arrive. Have children bring their completed Time & Talent cards and any monetary offering. If additional children arrive while in Ruth Hall, have parents complete the Sign In sheet and remind parents that pickup is in Room 105. Encourage children to participate in Children’s Worship and provide re-direction if necessary. Assist the Children’s Worship leader as needed. At the conclusion of Children’s Worship, have children line up and return to Room 105.

The Lesson SUPPLIES: Large puzzle pieces, crowns, small puzzle pieces, foam stickers, crayons/markers, glue sticks, stapler  Gather all the children in a circle on the carpet. As you are able, sit on the floor

with them or use a chair as part of the circle. SAY: Today we met a woman named Esther who got to be a part of God’s plan. We learned that we all get to be a part of God’s plan which is to make sure everyone in the world knows God’s love. But it’s not always clear HOW we get to be a part of God’s plan. SAY: I have a puzzle piece for each of you. When I give you your piece, I want you to keep it to yourself and only look at your own piece. Give each child a piece of the puzzle. If there are more pieces than children, give some children two.

Character Stories  Lesson 6

ASK: Remember, look only at your piece. Can you tell what the picture will be by looking only at your piece? Allow the group to make a guess or two. SAY: Let’s put the puzzle together. Direct children to assemble the puzzle on the floor. SAY: When we started out with just our one piece of the puzzle we can’t see what the whole puzzle will look like when we put it together. We can see bits and pieces of what might be the picture from our piece but as each of us begin to assemble the puzzle with our pieces we see the bigger picture. God gave us each unique, special gifts and talents (like a puzzle piece) that we can use to be a part of God’s big picture – His plan. We may not be able to see the whole picture when we look at our piece – and sometimes we aren’t even sure what’s on our own piece! – but as we trust in God and grow, we learn how our special gifts fit into the big picture. SAY: We are going to make a craft to remind us that God gives us unique gifts and has “crowned” us for a purpose (just like God crowned Esther queen).  Show children the sample craft. Read the words “I Am Crowned with Purpose.”  Have children move from the carpet to seats at the table.  Give each child a crown.  Direct children to decorate their crown using puzzle pieces, foam stickers and

crayons/markers.  Once their crown is decorated, help children size their crowns correctly and use the stapler to fasten.

Closing SUPPLIES: David Bible Character Profile  Lead the children in a closing prayer. You may say your own prayer, ask one of the

children to say a prayer or use the one below. God, Thank you for giving me special gifts and talents! Help me use them to show God’s love to others. Amen Character Stories  Lesson 6

 If time remains before parents arrive, encourage children to return to their Esther

activity sheet if they did not complete it. Also encourage conversation between children and with you. This is another opportunity to build relationships with the children in your classroom!  Send each child home with an Esther Bible Character Profile. Remind children and parents this worksheet can be completed at home as a family.

Character Stories  Lesson 6

It could be that you were made queen for a time like this. (Esther 4:14)

I Am Crowned with Purpose!

Crowned with Purpose Craft

Character Stories  Lesson 6

Crowned with Purpose Craft

Character Stories  Lesson 6