Children’s Bible Lessons – Level 3: Lesson 56 “The Courage of a Queen”
Featured Passage: Esther 5-6
After three days of fasting, Esther prepared herself to go before the king. Even though she was the queen, it was still forbidden for anyone to stand in the king’s presence without permission. Even if the king made allowance for her to come into his court without being summoned, she had to be careful how to tell him that his chief of all the king’s princes was plotting to destroy her people. Esther was running out of time, for as she prepared banquets for the king, Haman was plotting his revenge against Mordecai. The king, unaware of Haman’s plans, had something very different in mind for Mordecai.
Discuss:
- How do you think Esther felt before she entered the court of the king unannounced? Why did Esther decide to put her life in danger? What can we learn from Esther about courage?
- Why do you think Esther decided to have a banquet for the king and Haman? What happened at the first banquet?
- Why was Haman so angry with Mordecai? What was he planning to get revenge?
- What did Mordecai do for which the king wanted to honor him? What was Haman coming to ask the king when he asked Haman advice on how to honor Mordecai? Who did Haman think he was talking about?
- How do you think Haman felt when he had to carry out the king’s orders to honor Mordecai? What are some lessons this story teaches us about pride? Why is it important to be humble?
Memory Challenge:
Esther 5:7-8
Then Esther answered and said, “My petition and request is this: If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, then let the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.”
