Unit 18, Session 1: Esther Saved Her People
Gospel Project for Kids
Sunday 2/2/20
Dear Parents,
The Babylonian captivity ended when Cyrus, the king of Persia, took over Babylon and let God’s people go home. Some of God’s people—now called Jews (people from Judah)—traveled back to Judah to rebuild the temple, the city, and their lives. Others, however, stayed in Persia where life among the pagans was relatively comfortable. The king of Persia was now Ahasuerus (uh haz yoo EHR uhs), also known by his Greek name, Xerxes (ZUHRK seez). Esther was a young Jewish girl who became queen of Persia. The former queen had defied the king and was promptly replaced. Esther had been an orphan, so her cousin Mordecai adopted her. Mordecai kept in touch with Esther while she lived in the palace. One day, the king gave Haman the Agagite a very important position in the kingdom. The king even commanded the people to bow down to Haman. But Mordecai refused. Haman was a descendant of Agag, king of the Amalekites. The nations of Israel and Amalek did not get along. Haman was angry, but instead of just punishing Mordecai, he planned to kill all the Jews in the kingdom. In this week’s Bible story, Mordecai turned to Esther for help. After all, she was in a position of power, and the Jews were her people. The stakes were high, but Esther approached the king and explained her people’s plight. Review the details in Esther 7. Note how Esther described Haman: “The adversary and enemy is this evil Haman” (Esth. 7:6). We too have an adversary—the Devil. He prowls around like a lion, seeking people to devour. (1 Pet. 5:8) He loves nothing more than to destroy believers and hinder the work of God. Satan thought he had succeeded when Jesus died on the cross, but God—working frequently behind the scenes—raised Jesus from the dead and defeated Satan once and for all. (See Heb. 2:14-15.) God was in control over Haman’s evil plan to destroy the Jews. Like Haman, Satan wants to ruin God’s plan and destroy believers. Satan thought he had won when Jesus died on the cross, but God raised Jesus from the dead and defeated Satan once and for all. All who believe in Jesus are rescued from sin and death. Check this session’s Activity Page and Big Picture Card as well as the Gospel Project for Kids Family App for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.
FAMILY STARTING POINTS
Babies and Toddlers
○ Nothing can stop God’s good plan.
○ Jesus died and rose again to do God’s plan.
○ God made Esther queen of Persia. ○ God used Esther to rescue His people.
○ Jesus rescues us from sin and death.
Preschool
○ Who is in control of everything? God is in control of everything.
○ God used Esther to rescue God’s people from their enemies.
Kids
○ Who is in control of everything? God is in control of everything in heaven and on earth.
○ God made Esther a queen to protect His people.
UNIT KEY PASSAGE
1 Peter 5:10
NEXT WEEK “The Walls Rebuilt” (Nehemiah 1–6)
Royal Ambassadors, Girls in Action, Mission Friends: FEBRUARY
BIBLE FOCUS
Children are learning that God pursues us because He loves us, and He provides for our needs. In Matthew 6:26, Jesus explained just how much the Father cares for us: “Look at the birds of the air. They don’t plant or gather crops. They don’t put away crops in storerooms. But your Father who is in heaven feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than they are?”
MINISTRY FOCUS
One of the biggest problems in Cambodia is the lack of clean water. Villagers use their water source to bathe and wash clothes. Animals and insects share the same water source. The people use this same water for drinking. The water is filled with bacteria and diseases that cause illnesses. Many adults and children die every year from drinking unsafe water. William and Nancy Potter* perform acts of love in Cambodia, like providing water filters and medical care for Cambodians in remote villages. These acts of love are opening doors to share the gospel with Cambodians.
Visit wmu.com/pwpl with your child and read stories about ways Pure Water, Pure Love is addressing the problem.
EXTRAS
This month, our RAs and GAs are working on their own derby cars and will have a Derby Race on February 23rd. Paul and Keri Cheek are hosting a "Derby Car Work Day" at the church on February 15th. They will bring tools and other necessary items and offer assistance to kids who might need some extra help crafting their car!
Gospel Project for Kids
Sunday 2/2/20
Dear Parents,
The Babylonian captivity ended when Cyrus, the king of Persia, took over Babylon and let God’s people go home. Some of God’s people—now called Jews (people from Judah)—traveled back to Judah to rebuild the temple, the city, and their lives. Others, however, stayed in Persia where life among the pagans was relatively comfortable. The king of Persia was now Ahasuerus (uh haz yoo EHR uhs), also known by his Greek name, Xerxes (ZUHRK seez). Esther was a young Jewish girl who became queen of Persia. The former queen had defied the king and was promptly replaced. Esther had been an orphan, so her cousin Mordecai adopted her. Mordecai kept in touch with Esther while she lived in the palace. One day, the king gave Haman the Agagite a very important position in the kingdom. The king even commanded the people to bow down to Haman. But Mordecai refused. Haman was a descendant of Agag, king of the Amalekites. The nations of Israel and Amalek did not get along. Haman was angry, but instead of just punishing Mordecai, he planned to kill all the Jews in the kingdom. In this week’s Bible story, Mordecai turned to Esther for help. After all, she was in a position of power, and the Jews were her people. The stakes were high, but Esther approached the king and explained her people’s plight. Review the details in Esther 7. Note how Esther described Haman: “The adversary and enemy is this evil Haman” (Esth. 7:6). We too have an adversary—the Devil. He prowls around like a lion, seeking people to devour. (1 Pet. 5:8) He loves nothing more than to destroy believers and hinder the work of God. Satan thought he had succeeded when Jesus died on the cross, but God—working frequently behind the scenes—raised Jesus from the dead and defeated Satan once and for all. (See Heb. 2:14-15.) God was in control over Haman’s evil plan to destroy the Jews. Like Haman, Satan wants to ruin God’s plan and destroy believers. Satan thought he had won when Jesus died on the cross, but God raised Jesus from the dead and defeated Satan once and for all. All who believe in Jesus are rescued from sin and death. Check this session’s Activity Page and Big Picture Card as well as the Gospel Project for Kids Family App for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.
FAMILY STARTING POINTS
Babies and Toddlers
○ Nothing can stop God’s good plan.
○ Jesus died and rose again to do God’s plan.
○ God made Esther queen of Persia. ○ God used Esther to rescue His people.
○ Jesus rescues us from sin and death.
Preschool
○ Who is in control of everything? God is in control of everything.
○ God used Esther to rescue God’s people from their enemies.
Kids
○ Who is in control of everything? God is in control of everything in heaven and on earth.
○ God made Esther a queen to protect His people.
UNIT KEY PASSAGE
1 Peter 5:10
NEXT WEEK “The Walls Rebuilt” (Nehemiah 1–6)
Royal Ambassadors, Girls in Action, Mission Friends: FEBRUARY
BIBLE FOCUS
Children are learning that God pursues us because He loves us, and He provides for our needs. In Matthew 6:26, Jesus explained just how much the Father cares for us: “Look at the birds of the air. They don’t plant or gather crops. They don’t put away crops in storerooms. But your Father who is in heaven feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than they are?”
MINISTRY FOCUS
One of the biggest problems in Cambodia is the lack of clean water. Villagers use their water source to bathe and wash clothes. Animals and insects share the same water source. The people use this same water for drinking. The water is filled with bacteria and diseases that cause illnesses. Many adults and children die every year from drinking unsafe water. William and Nancy Potter* perform acts of love in Cambodia, like providing water filters and medical care for Cambodians in remote villages. These acts of love are opening doors to share the gospel with Cambodians.
Visit wmu.com/pwpl with your child and read stories about ways Pure Water, Pure Love is addressing the problem.
EXTRAS
This month, our RAs and GAs are working on their own derby cars and will have a Derby Race on February 23rd. Paul and Keri Cheek are hosting a "Derby Car Work Day" at the church on February 15th. They will bring tools and other necessary items and offer assistance to kids who might need some extra help crafting their car!
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