This is the sixth part of a ten part series on the book of Esther, recounting the events that happened between Queen Esther’s first banquet for King Xerxes and Haman, and the second banquet.
Note: The book of Esther can be difficult to relate back to Jesus and his Good News. One clear connection is the promise that the Savior would be born from the family of Abraham. The plot to eliminate the Jews (the promised family) was a threat to God’s promise. When God saved Esther and the Jews in Persia, he was also protecting the future birth of Jesus according to his promises. The saving work of Christ was directly tied to God’s saving work in the book of Esther.
Bible Story: Esther Prepares for the Second Banquet
Scripture: Esther 6:1-14
Target Age Group: Age 7 – 12 (U.S. 1st – 6th Grade)
Time: 20 Minutes
Learning Context: Children’s Church
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Learning Objectives: After this lesson…
- Children express the knowledge regarding the key people and events in this passage by retelling the story.
- Children express what they learned about what the king discovered when he was unable to sleep.
- Children express their understanding of Haman’s plan to bring honor to Mordecai that he believed he would receive.
Material Needed:
- [print_link] this lesson plan
- Bible: Esther 6:1-14. Prepare beforehand a copy with the important points highlighted to ensure specific explanation on them.
- Visual Aids: Pictures of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes), Haman, Mordecai (being honored), Zeresh (if possible). Try searching those names on Google Images.
Children’s Church Teaching Plan:
Establish the lesson by briefly explaining the key people to the story by showing pictures of the king, Haman, Mordecia, and Zeresh and their role in the story. Make sure the children repeat their names.
Review the first 5 chapters of Esther. Emphasis the relationship between Mordecai and Esther and the hatred has for Mordecai and the Jewish people. Talk briefly to the children about the reason Jesus said in Matthew 5:21-22 and how hatred leads to murderous thoughts and actions.
Prior to reading the story, divide the children into two groups and ask one half to listen for what they learn about what the king discovers between the two banquets when he is unable to sleep. Ask the other half of the children to identify Haman’s plan for honor that he believes the king wants to bestow on him and Haman then has to give to Mordecai.
Read (and Recap) Esther 6:1-14. Read with different voice inflections and stop to involve the children into the story. Reinforce the lesson by asking questions. What did the king call to be read to him when he was unable to sleep? He called of the book of records. What did he find out? Mordecai had never been rewarded for saving his life. Who did Haman think the king was going to honor? Himself. How was Mordecai honored? He had king robes put on him and rode through city on king’s horse.
When you finish reading the story, use the pictures to review the important people and events in the story.
Ask for a response from the children about their listening assignment. What did the king learn between the two banquets? What plan did Haman devise to honor Mordecai that he believe was intended for him?
Children’s Church Lesson Evaluation:
Ask for four volunteers to re-enact the story for the class. Assign the children the role of King Xerxes, Haman, Mordecai, and Zeresh. Ask the children to take turns telling a portion of the story as the other four children act it out. Remember to prompt the children by asking, “What happened next?”
Ask for a volunteer to explain the two important lessons we learn from this story.
Give a list of possible lessons and ask the children to take turns stating whether it was from the present portion of the story.
- Esther was given a banquet when she became queen. True, but not part of this lesson.
- The king had trouble sleeping and asked for the book of records. Yes.
- Haman built a gallow to hand the Jews. True, but not part of this lesson.
- Mordecai finally received honor for saving the king’s life. Yes.
- Mordecai dressed himself in sack clothes to mourn. True, but not part of this lesson.
- Esther feared going before the king. True, but not part of this lesson.
- Haman told his wife how he had to honor Mordecai. Yes.
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