Queen Esther Is Brave: Sunday School Lesson for Ages 6-10
Ages 6-10 · 45 minutes · free lesson plan · Esther 4:1-17
Elementary children hear how Esther faced a dangerous choice to help her people. They learn she asked others to pray with her, and they make a crown to remind them God can use them where they are.
Memory verse
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14, KJV)
Lesson objectives
- Retell how Mordecai asked Esther to help her people and how she answered.
- Explain that Esther's choice was risky and that she asked others to pray with her.
- Name one way to be brave and kind to someone this week.
The full lesson plan
Welcome: Would You Speak Up? (5 min)
Say: Welcome! Today we meet a young queen who had a very hard choice.
Play "Stand Up, Sit Down." Read each line. Children stand if yes, stay seated if no.
- You have ever been nervous to talk to a grown-up.
- You have ever seen someone being left out.
- You have ever wanted to help but felt scared.
Say: Many of us feel nervous, even when we want to do the right thing.
Say: Esther felt that too. Her choice could cost her a lot.
Say: Now let's hear what happened.
Bible Story: Esther 4 (8 min)
Background: Haman, a leader under the king, had made a plan to destroy the Jews (chapter 3). Esther was queen, and her cousin Mordecai was a Jew.
Say: Do the motions with me as I tell the story in order.
1. Mordecai learned what had been decided. He tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and cried loudly (v.1). (Tear a pretend sheet.)
2. Jews in every province mourned, fasted and wept (v.3). (Rub eyes.)
3. Esther was very grieved and sent Hatach, one of the king's servants, to ask Mordecai what was wrong (vv.4-5). (Walk in place.)
4. Mordecai sent word and asked Esther to go to the king and plead for her people (vv.7-8). (Hands together.)
5. Esther answered: anyone who goes to the king uninvited can be put to death, unless he holds out his golden scepter. She had not been called in thirty days (v.11). (Hold arm out.)
6. Mordecai answered that she would not escape in the palace. Help would come from another place if she stayed silent. Then he asked, "Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (vv.13-14). (Shrug, point up.)
7. Esther asked the Jews to fast for her three days. Then she would go in, "and if I perish, I perish" (vv.15-16). (Stand tall.)
8. Mordecai did all she asked (v.17). (Nod.)
Teaching: Brave, But Not Alone (7 min)
Say: Esther's fear was real. The Bible says going in uninvited could mean death.
Say: Mordecai did not say, "Don't be scared." He said, "Who knows? Maybe you are here for this very moment."
Ask: Where was Esther? (In the palace, as queen.) Maybe God had placed her there to help.
Say: Esther did not go alone. She asked her people to fast, which means going without food to pray seriously. Today we will not fast. We can still ask others to pray for us.
Say: We may not face a king. We may see someone being teased, or someone who needs a friend. God can use us right where we are.
Say: Jesus is the greatest example. He went to the cross to rescue us, and now we can come to God with confidence (Hebrews 4:16).
Say: Let's practice passing a message, just as Esther and Mordecai did.
Game: Message Relay (8 min)
Setup: Write each message on an index card. Make 2 sets if the group is large. Messages: (1) "Mordecai asks Esther to speak to the king." (2) "Going in uninvited is dangerous." (3) "Pray for me three days, then I will go."
Steps:
1. Make teams of 4 in lines about 10 steps apart. Team members are Mordecai, Hatach, Esther and a helper.
2. Show message 1 only to the first child. They WALK to the next child and whisper it. Each child whispers it on down the line.
3. The last child says the message aloud. Compare it with the card and cheer.
4. Repeat with messages 2 and 3, rotating roles.
5. Ask: What helped the message stay the same? (Listening, saying it carefully.)
Safety: Walking only. Keep lines clear of furniture. Children may whisper to a buddy if shy.
Craft: My Brave Crown (8 min)
Setup: Pre-cut a paper strip for each child, about 22 x 5 inches. Write "Such a time as this" on a sample.
Safety: Scissors and glue are used. Supervise closely, and check for glue or marker sensitivities. Teachers staple the crowns.
Steps:
1. Give each child a strip. Write "For such a time as this" along the front.
2. Decorate with crayons, markers and gold.
3. On the inside, write or draw one brave, kind thing to do this week. Examples: invite someone to play, tell the truth, stand up for a friend.
4. Children may cut zigzag points if you have scissors, or leave the top plain.
5. A teacher staples or tapes the crown to fit.
Say: Wear your crown. It reminds you that God can use you.
Talk It Over (5 min)
Say: Turn to a partner and answer. Then we will share.
1. Why was it scary for Esther to go to the king? (She could be put to death if he did not hold out his scepter.)
2. What did Esther do before she went? (She asked the people to fast and pray for her.)
3. Who can you ask to pray when you feel afraid? (Parents, a teacher, a friend, or God directly.)
4. What is one place God has put you where you could help someone? (School, home, my team, my street.)
Prayer and Verse Review (4 min)
Say the verse together. Teach the last line first: "And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Then say the full verse once, slowly.
Say: Let's pray together. Repeat after me.
- Thank You, God, that You are with us when we are afraid.
- Help us notice people who need a friend.
- Give us courage to do the right thing.
- Thank You for people who pray for us.
- Thank You for Jesus, who loves and rescues us. Amen.
Say: Take your crown home and show your family.
Materials
- Bible (KJV)
- Index cards with the three messages (see activity)
- Construction paper, pre-cut into crown strips
- Crayons or markers
- Safety scissors
- Glue sticks
- Stapler or tape (teacher use)
- Gold crayon or gold stickers
Teacher notes
- Verse 14 is long. Teach the last line first, then add the rest in chunks. Children can use motions.
- Do not ask children to fast. Explain it only as the Bible describes it.
- Adaptation: For mixed ages or special needs, use picture cards for the story, pair children with buddies, and allow whispering or pointing during the message game.
- Safety: Scissors and glue are used in the craft. Check for allergies or sensitivities, and keep cutting supervised.
Send it home with parents
Today we studied Esther 4. Esther was queen, and her cousin Mordecai asked her to plead with the king for her people. Going to the king uninvited was dangerous, so she asked others to fast and pray first. Then she chose to go. Children learned that God can use us where we are, and that we do not have to be brave alone.
- When was a time you felt scared to do the right thing?
- Who could you ask to pray with you when you feel afraid?
- Where do you think God might want to use you this week?
Take turns sharing one way each person can help someone at school, work or home this week. Pray for each other by name. Say Esther 4:14 together.
Do the brave, kind action written inside your crown. Tell a parent how it went.
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