Mesa Valley Church of Christ Grand Junction, Colorado
Illustration for Esther Speaks for Her People

Old Testament people Ages 6–12 Story 12 of 25

Esther · ESV memory verse below

Esther Speaks for Her People

Who is this?

Esther was a Jewish orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai. God placed her as queen in Persia at a dangerous time.

What happened?

Haman planned to destroy the Jews. Esther risked her life to speak for her people. God kept them safe.

The story

Esther became queen, but many did not know she was a Jew. A proud man named Haman hated Mordecai and made a wicked plan to destroy all the Jews.

Mordecai sent word to Esther: you must go to the king. Going without being called could mean death. He said, “Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Esther asked the Jews to fast for three days. She said, “If I perish, I perish.” She went to the king. He held out his golden scepter. She found favor and spoke.

God turned the plan upside down. Haman’s wickedness was stopped. The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honor. God had placed Esther where she could help.

Memory verse (ESV)

And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Esther 4:14

Talk about it

Ages ~4–7

  1. Who asked Esther to help her people?
  2. What did Esther ask people to do before she went to the king?

Ages ~8–12

  1. What did Mordecai mean by “for such a time as this”?
  2. How did Esther show courage and faith together?
  3. Where might God want you to speak up kindly for someone else?

Family activity

At dinner, role-play Esther’s courage: one soft voice speaking for someone who needs help. End by saying Esther 4:14 together.

Parent take-home

Read Esther 4 (and the happy turn in chapter 8 if you have time). God placed Esther “for such a time as this.” Fast or simply pause for a quiet minute before a hard conversation; pray for courage to speak kindly for others.

Talk on the way home

  1. What did Haman plan to do?
  2. Why was it scary for Esther to go to the king?
  3. How might God put you in a place to help someone else?

Longer family guide: Week 12 on the family page.

Print coloring and activities (PDF) All children’s stories

In the PDF: coloring page, memory verse with blanks, plus kid activities (circle). Circle only one answer. Talk about why the others are wrong.

For parents and teachers

God’s name is not written in Esther, yet His providence fills the book. Do not invent speeches God never made. Let children see courage joined to fasting and to care for one’s people.