As I said, Haman (boo) was an evil, hateful man. He hated anyone that was different. He especially hated a man named Mordecai. He hated Mordecai because he refused to bow down to him when he walked by. But Mordecai believed that he should only bow to God. Haman was also jealous of Mordecai because he was a hero. He had saved King Ahasuerus by discovering a plot to kill him and letting him know about it before the he was killed.

Haman (boo) hated all Jews, and he wanted to get rid of all of them. He went to King Ahasuerus and told him that there was a certain group of people in his kingdom that were different and that they had their own laws. They didn’t follow his laws. Haman told the king that he should have all these people put to death. The king listened to what Haman said (boo). He trusted Haman’s (boo) advice, and agreed with him. A date was set when all the Jewish people in his kingdom would die.

The King didn’t realize he was making a very big mistake. He didn’t know that Queen Esther was a Jew. He didn’t realize that he had just made a law that would put his beloved queen to death.

When Mordecai heard of Haman’s (boo) terrible plan he was shocked. He knew what he had to do. He sent Queen Esther a letter and told her all about Haman’s (boo) plan to kill all the Jews. He asked Queen Esther to go before the king and beg him to change his mind. Mordecai knew this was a very dangerous thing for her to do because anyone who appeared before the king without him telling him or her to appear would be put to death unless he extended his golden scepter to him or her. (Bring out the king paper doll with his arm down. Point out the golden scepter in his hand.)

Queen Esther was their only hope. If anyone could save them, she could. Queen Esther knew there was no other way to save her people but to take her chances and go before the king. But Esther knew that she couldn’t do it alone; she needed God’s help. She asked all the Jewish people to fast for three days asking God for his help.

(Bring out the Queen Esther paper doll.) Finally, after three days, Esther prepared to meet the King. She put on her best robe and her royal crown (Tape the crown to Esters head) and went before the king. Would the king raise his golden scepter and listen to what she had to say, or would he keep his scepter down? Esther stood there and waited for what seemed a long time until, finally, the king looked over at her. He was very pleased. He raised his golden scepter! (Raise the arm of the king paper doll.) Queen Esther was so happy! Now she could tell him what she needed to without being killed. She walked up to the king and touched the top of his scepter. (Walk the paper doll over to the king and raise her arm and place it on the scepter.)

The king asked, “What is it you want Queen Esther? I will give you anything you want even up to one half of the kingdom.”

And Queen Esther answered, “If it would be good for you, will you and Haman (boo) come today to a dinner that I have prepared for Haman?”

The king sent for Haman at once and they joined her for dinner. Again, at the dinner, the king asked Queen Esther what she desired. He said, “Whatever you ask for, I will give it to you, even up to half the kingdom?”

Again the Queen answered the king and asked him and Haman to come to another dinner that she would prepare for them the next day. The king and Haman agreed to come.

The next day the king and Haman went to the dinner, and again the king asked Queen Esther what she wanted and promised to give her anything she wanted even up to half of the kingdom.

Then Queen Esther answered, “If you are pleased with me, and if it pleases you, let me live. For I and my people will all be killed soon.”

The king was horrified! He asked, “Who would do such a thing? Where is the man who dare do such a thing?”

Esther pointed to Haman (boo) and said, “It is this evil man.”

The king was furious. He was so angry that he had Haman killed that very day. And he made a new law that saved the Jews from being killed. Now every year during Purim the Jewish people celebrate what God had done for them.

Another version of the story summary:

The story of Esther is set about 100 years after the Babylonian captivity, and about 60 years after Babylon fell to the Persians. The King of Persia at the time was King Xerxes (some translations give his name as Ahasuerus).

Mordecai was her cousin, who raised her as if she were his daughter. Esther was taken to the house of Xerxes, King of Persia, to become his wife. King Xerxes loved Esther and made Esther queen, but the king did not know that Esther was a Jew, because Mordecai told her not to reveal her identity. The full story can be found in Esther 1 & 2.

Haman was an advisor to the king. Haman hated Mordecai because Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman. So Haman plotted to destroy the Jewish people. Haman descended from the Amalekites. Refer back to Exodus 17. God promised to erase the memory of the Amalekites from the earth. That is why, during the festival of Purim (see the Purim party activity below), everyone makes loud noises whenever Haman's name is spoken, so no one can hear it.

Then Haman said to King Xerxes, "Certain people are scattered among the nations. They live in all of the territories in your kingdom. Their practices are different from the practices of all other people. They don't obey your laws. It really isn't good for you to put up with them." Esther 3:8. The King gave Haman permission to do as he pleased to the Jews. So Haman planned to kill all of the Jews.

Mordecai persuaded Esther to speak to the king on behalf of the Jewish people. This was a dangerous thing for Esther to do, because anyone who came into the king's presence without being summoned could be put to death, and she had not been summoned. Esther fasted for three days to prepare herself, then went into the king. He welcomed her. Later, she told him of Haman's plot against her people.

The King was not happy that Haman had plotted against Esther's people, so he had Haman hanged on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Esther then asked the King to revoke the decree Haman had him sign into law to have the Jews destroyed. But the King cannot revoke a law he enacted. So he allowed the Jews to fight back, and God gave them the victory in battle.

Comprehension Questions

make sure they understand the story

First, ask the children if they have any questions about the story. What to do if you don't know the answer?

• Who raised Esther? (Mordecai, her cousin)

• How did the Israelites end up in Persia? (they were carried away to Babylon, which then fell to the Medes and Persians)

• How did Esther become a queen of Persia? (the King was mad at Vashti, the queen before her, and searched for a new queen)

• Who told Esther to keep the fact she was a Jew a secret? (Mordecai)

• Who was Haman? (the head of all of King Haman's officials)

• Why did Haman want to get rid of the Jews? (Mordecai didn't pay homage or honor to Haman as he was commanded to do)

• What did Haman do to destroy the Jews? (he had the King pass a law that everyone in his kingdom was to destroy all the Jews in all the towns of Persia)

• How did Esther help Mordecai? (she approached the King, even though she had not been called by him, revealed she was a Jew, and told the King that Haman plotted against her own people)

• What did the King do to Haman after he realized what he was doing? (he had him hanged on the very gallows Haman planned to hang Mordecai)

• What did the King do to help the Jews? (he couldn't revoke the law that he signed, so he allowed them to fight back when the Persians tried to destroy them, and God helped them gain victory when they fought)

5. Faith Questions

help them apply the story to their lives and open up a conversation about faith and the gospel; close with prayer

• God placed Esther as a queen in Persia so she could be used to save the Jews from destruction ("And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14)

• How can God use you where you are right now?

Directions

1.Print the template, let the kids cut out the crown in a color of their choice and paste it to the white template.

2. They can color with markers/crayons and glue on pompoms for extra decor!

Directions:

1. Let the kids pick a color of paper, color them, and cut them out. Roll them up and glue or staple the sides together.

2. Staple the bottom closed and fill with dried beans. Then staple the top closed.

3. To finish print the Bible verse down the side of the noisemaker.

• During traditional Jewish Purim celebrations, the story of Esther is told and whenever the name "Haman" is said everyone makes noises with noisemakers (since he's the bad guy...)

• Make shakers and noise makers to use whenever Haman's name is mentioned when you read the story.

Scripture Haman noticed that Mordecai wouldn't get down on his knees. He wouldn't give Haman any honor. So Haman burned with anger. But he had found out who Mordecai's people were. So he decided not to kill just Mordecai. He also looked for a way to destroy all of Mordecai's people. They were Jews. He wanted to kill all of them everywhere in the kingdom of Xerxes. Esther 3:5-6

Use a broom handle or something similar. Divide your children up into two teams. Tell them that you are going to pretend to be the king, and you will be holding the golden scepter. You will take turns asking Esther-questions of each team, but the only person who can answer the question is the person to which you extend the golden scepter.

The person to whom you extend the golden scepter, should touch the top of the scepter with his or her finger and try to answer the question. Any child that speaks without having the golden scepter extended to them is out of the game. If a child does not know the answer to a question, he or she sits down. The team with the last person standing wins.

Another version is to play Bible Basketball:

Summary of Idea:

Play Bible Basketball. Included are game instructions and game questions.

Supplies:

• Basketball hoop (could be a small kids portable hoop; “nerf” hoop to hang over the door; or a full size, outside- “Little Tike’s” worked best for us)

• Basketball (to go with your hoop)

• Air pump – (in case your ball goes flat during the week)

• Chalkboard/chalk (or paper/pen)

• Bibles – for reference

• Masking tape – to make the shooting line/lines

• Trivia questions

Rules:

1. Divide into teams (? Two or three teams – number off – boys against the girls – pick teams – names out of a hat)

2. Each team answers a question. If they get it right (from memory), one person from that team gets two chances to make a basket. If they get it right with help of a reference (bible – or multiple-choice), they get one chance to make a basket. If they get it wrong, no chances for a basket. (For the younger kids, they get two chances for a basket even if they use the multiple-choice or reference.)

3. Alternate teams for the trivia. Let each person have a chance to make baskets. (Alternate turns)
   Have each team select a “captain” that will give the final answer. (This will help so you don’t get multiple people telling you different answers.)

4. Encourage teamwork. If you have a player who is particularly uncoordinated or has a disability, make up some goofy rule or alternate target they can hit with the ball or "guess" at. Or have a stack of cards with "wild rules" on them, such as, "shoot with your eyes closed and get a question if you hit the backboard." This kind of random equalization takes the pressure off.

5. If you have players who claim to be really good at shooting baskets, 'handicap' them by telling them they have to shoot with their opposite hand.

Scoring:

• 10 points for each correct answer without a reference (from memory)

• 5 points for each correct answer with a reference (exception for younger kids – they always get 10 points for correct answers)

• 2 points for every basket made

Have fun! Adjust game rules and points to help everyone have fun and not feel uncoordinated.

1. What is the name of the Jewish holiday that celebrates the salvation of the Jews from Haman? Purim.

2. How often do the Jewish people celebrate Purim? Once a year.

3. What was the name of the evil man in our story today? Haman.

4. Why did Haman dislike Mordecai? He wouldn't bow to him and he was jealous of him because he was a hero.

5. What is the main thing the Jews do during the Purim celebration? They read the story of Esther.

6. What was the king's name? King Ahasuerus

7. Why was Mordecai a hero? He discovered a plot to kill the king and let him know about it before he was killed.

8. What law did Haman want the king to make? A law that would kill all the Jewish people on a certain date.

9. Did the king make the law? Yes.

10. Did he know that Queen Esther was a Jew? No.

11. What did Mordecai do when he heard about Haman's terrible plan to kill the Jews? He sent a letter to Queen Esther and told here about Haman's plan to kill all the Jews.

12. What did Mordecai ask Queen Esther to do? To go before the king and beg him to change his mind.

13. Why was this dangerous? Because anyone who appeared before the king without him telling him or her to appear would be put to death unless he extended his golden scepter to him or her.

14. Did Queen Esther go before the king? Yes.

15. What did Queen Esther do before she went before the king? She asked all the Jewish people to fast for three days asking God for his help.

16. What did the king do when he saw Queen Esther? The king looked over at her, and was very pleased. He raised his golden scepter!

17. What did Queen Esther do when the king raised his scepter? She walked up to the king and touched the top of the scepter.

18. What did the king say? "What is it you want Queen Esther? I will give you anything you want even up to one half of the kingdom."

19. How did Queen Esther answer? "If it would be good for you, will you and Haman come today to a dinner that I have prepared for Haman?"

20. Did the king and Haman go to dinner that day? Yes.

21. What did the king ask Queen Esther at dinner? What do you want? Whatever you ask for, I will give it to you, even up to half the kingdom?

22. Did Queen Esther tell the king what she wanted at the rst dinner? No, she asked them to come to another dinner that she would prepare for them the next day.

23. Did the king agree to come to another dinner? Yes.

24. What did Queen Esther ask the king at the second dinner? "If you are pleased with me, and if it pleases you, let me live. For I and my people will all be killed soon."

25. What did the king do when he found out that the queen was a Jew and that she would be put to death? He was so angry that he had Haman put to death that very day. And he made a new law that saved the Jews from being killed.

The Back-To-Back Get Up

Game Description

The game begins with two players sitting back-to-back with their arms hooked together, with their feet flat on the floor in front of them; and knees are up towards their chest. The goal of this youth ministry game is for the players to stand up without using any hands.

As soon as this is accomplished, add another player to hook arms with the other two players and to go from sitting to standing. Keep adding a new person each time the group successfully stands up.

Materials needed

None, just space enough to keep adding new players to the group

Follow-up lesson

Remind the group that doing this activity, (with your feet in front of you flat on the floor and knees bent and up towards the person’s chest), is close to impossible to do by yourself. Things always seem to work better with teamwork and a positive attitude.

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Buddy, Can You Share A Chair?

Game Description

Chairs will be set up just like regular Musical Chairs, with one less chair than the number of people. As the music starts, players walk around the chairs, and when the music stops, the players try to sit on a chair.

The person who does not have a chair is not out. Ask if there is anyone willing to share their chair with that person. As soon as every player is somehow seated with the new configuration, play begins again. When the music stops, now there will be two players without chairs. Hopefully, the players will scoot over and share their chair or their lap.

As more and more chairs are taken out, the players begin to sit on laps, and it gets pretty crowded, but no one is ever out of the game. As the last chair is sat on when the music stops, all of the players sit on each other’s laps, so that each person feels a part of the group.

This is one of my favorite games, because it takes caring, sharing, getting squished, and working as a team to find a place for everyone to sit on another person’s leg or lap. There will be a lot of smiles and laughter during this game!

Materials needed

Chairs for all of the players, and some type of boom box or MP3 players that can be played and paused many times.

Follow-up lesson

Ask the players what they learned by playing this game. The lessons taught in this game are powerful! Remind the youth ministry players, that God cares about everyone of them. He doesn’t want any of His children to feel like they don’t belong, or that anyone feels like a loser. When any of us take time to include other people, that leads us to a stronger relationship with Jesus Christ.

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Tangled Up

Game Description

Divide players into small groups of 8-10 people. Everyone grabs the hand of someone not standing right next to them. Players cannot let go of the other person’s hand, or they have immediately lost the game. In order to untangle, some players might go under some arms, some might go over, etc. The first team to get back into a circle wins.

Materials needed: None

Follow-up lesson

Being a part of a group is a team effort, with everyone giving their best. If one or two people don’t try, the team cannot succeed.