Below you will find the story, some questions to ask and a prayer. Below you will find the story to read to children with some questions and then a prayer following that. You can read the story first, then ask the questions and then have them repeat the prayer after you. I have put periods throughout the prayer for you to pause and let the children repeat after you.
Read the Bible story:
The Brave Queen Esther 1-10
Esher was Jewish. That means she was an Israelite. She lived in the land of Persia with her older cousin Mordecai. The king of Persia needed a new queen. He announced, "Bring me the most beautiful women from all over my kingdom." Esther was one of the women sent to the palace. When the king met Esther, he chose her to be his queen.
Haman was the king's chief helper. He didn't like the Jewish people. They were God's people. Haman wanted everyone to bow down to him. Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman. Mordecai would only bow down to God.
Haman went to the king. He said, "The Jews are bad people. You should sign a law that will help me get rid of them." So the king signed a new law. God's people were in great danger!
Mordecai heard about the new law. He ran to tell Esther, "You must save yourself and the rest of God's people. Perhaps God has made you the queen for this reason." So Esther came up with a plan. It would be very risky for her.
Esther invited the king and Haman to a special dinner. Then she asked the king, "Why does Haman want to get rid of me?" The king was surprised. She said, "I am Jewish. Haman tricked you into signing a new law that would get rid of all the Jews."
The king told his guards, "Arrest Haman!" Then he made Mordecai his new chief helper. He told Queen Esther, "I will make a new law that will keep you and your people safe."
God used Esther to save his people!
Bible Story Questions & Answers
Talk about what the Bible story was about by asking the children questions. You can decide ahead of time how you want them to answer the questions. I like to have the children raise their hand to answer the question. If they are incorrect that is fine. You can say what the answer is or ask: “Does anyone else have a thought or answer to the question?”
Questions after Story:
- Who did the King of Persia choose to be his queen? (Esther)
- Was Haman the king's helper? (Yes)
- Did Haman like Jewish people? (No)
- Was Esther Jewish? (Yes)
- Haman wanted everyone to bow down to him and when Mordecai did not bow down to him did Haman like this? (No)
- Who was the only one that Mordecai would bow down to? (God)
- Did Haman go to the king to have him sign a new law saying that Haman could get rid of the Jewish people? (Yes)
- Once Esther heard about this did she come up with a plan? (Yes)
- What did Esther invite the king and Haman to? (A special dinner)
- Do you remember what Esther asked the king? (Why does Haman want to get rid of me? Some children may not remember all of this and that is okay. You may need to give them some clues or read that part of the story again.)
- Esther told the king that she is Jewish and that Haman had tricked him into signing a new law that would get rid of all the Jews. Did the king arrest Haman? (Yes)
- Did the king make a new law that kept Esther and her people safe? (Yes)
- Who did God use to save his people? (Esther)
Prayer
While sitting on the floor with criss cross legs, have the children repeat after you. You can have them fold their hands and close their eyes or just sit quietly and say after you. Following is a prayer written out that you can use, or you can make up your own.
Dear Jesus (children repeat)
Thank you for this day. (children repeat)
Please help me (children repeat)
to be like Esther (children repeat)
and help others. (children repeat)
I love You (children repeat)
Amen (children repeat)
