Esther

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K/1st 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 coloring page – 1 per child - Crowns – 1 per child - Tempera paint - 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 coloring page, 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 coloring page. 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.

Children’s Worship SUPPLIES: Sign In sheet, Joy & Concern cards, Time & Talent cards Character Stories  Lesson 6

 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 107. 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 107.

The Lesson SUPPLIES: Crowns, tempera paint, foam stickers, crayons/markers, 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. ASK: Today we met a woman named Esther. Esther got to be part of God’s plan. What is God’s plan? (For each of us to help everyone know about God’s love) SAY: We learned SAY: Esther was able to help people and show them God’s love. We all get to be part of God’s plan too. God made each of us in a special, unique way and He gave us special gifts and talents to help Him with His plan. God crowned Esther queen and He “crowns” each of us too! SAY: Today we are going to make a crown to help us remember that God “crowns” us with gifts and talents just like He crowned Esther queen. ASK: What is something on your hands that is unique to only you? (You may need to wiggle your fingers to give a hint; the answer is fingerprints) SAY: To help us remember that God made each of us with special, unique gifts and talents, we are going to put fingerprints on our crowns. Character Stories  Lesson 6

 Show children the sample craft. Read the words “I Am Crowned with Purpose” and     

point out the fingerprints. Have children move from the carpet to seats at the table. Give each child a crown. Assist children with placing a few fingerprints on the crown using the tempera paint. Direct children to decorate their crown using foam stickers and crayons/markers. Once their crown is decorated, help children size their crowns correctly and use the stapler to fasten.

Closing SUPPLIES: Esther 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  If time remains before parents arrive, encourage children to return to their Esther coloring page 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 Template

Character Stories  Lesson 6

Crowned with Purpose Craft

Character Stories  Lesson 6