In today's society, it can be tough being a Christian. Having your beliefs and morals questioned. Having to defend your decisions while being careful not to offend others. While there may be times we can go undetected, there may come a time where we must stand up for our beliefs, opening ourselves up to ridicule. When this time comes, as hard as it may be, we can be strong, knowing that our strength comes from God alone, not the acceptance of man. Stand bold for Christ, trusting that He will go before you and give you the strength you need for the road ahead.
As we wrap up our month, we will again show our kids that God is always with us as we look at Esther. God was with Esther and helped her to be strong in a very difficult situation. He can do that for each of us and He can definitely do that for our kids.
Here is a snapshot of what we will show the kids this week:
Bible Story Focus: God is with me so I can be strong. (Esther • Esther 2:2–8:17)
Memory Verse: “We have the Lord our God to help us.” 2 Chronicles 32:8, NLT
Key Question: Who is always with you?
Bottom Line: God is always with me.
Bible Story & Worship
Watch the Bible Story Video with your kids so you can recap and discuss it with them in the “Bring Jesus To Their Level” section. Then join your kids in worship as we sing and dance for God.
Bible Story Video – Esther (link)
Worship – Very Big Things (link)
Worship – God Is With Me (link)
Activities
Next, use the Memory Verse video to practice our monthly verse. This is our last week to practice the memory verse. Be sure to think of a fun reward you can give them next week when they are able to say it all by themselves. The activity sheet and coloring page are fun resources to help reinforce story and/or big idea.
Memory Verse with Hand Motions (link)
Bible Story Activity (link)
Coloring Page (link)
Bring Jesus To Their Level
Finish up your church at home by recapping the story and practicing the memory again. Then say: “Our Bible story, today, told how Esther was strong enough to ask the king to save her family! A long time ago, a person would get in BIG trouble for trying to talk to the king if he didn’t ask them to talk to him first. But Esther had to be strong, go talk to the king, and try and save her family. And she did it! She talked to the king and saved her family!
“God is always with us so we can be strong, too. Who is always with you? (Together.) [Bottom Line] God is always with me.
“And the Bible verse we learned this month will help us remember that God is with us and wants to help us. It says . . . ‘We have the Lord our God to help us,’ 2 Chronicles 32:8. (Practice this once together and then see if each of your kids can say it all by themselves.)
“God was with Esther when she had to go to the king. Today, we’ll make a list of places we have to go. When we pray, we can thank God for always being with us, no matter where we go. (Have each family member list something.)
“Thank you for making this list with me. We can use it when we pray. Would anyone like to pray before I pray?” (Give your kid(s) an opportunity to pray if they want to.)
PRAYER: “Dear God, There is no one else like You. Only You can always be with us wherever we go. We can go to (read the list your family made), and You will still be with us. You being with us makes us strong and brave, wise and courageous! You are amazing, and we love You very much. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
As we wrap up, I would like to leave you with one of the kids’ favorite ‘good-bye’ songs:
Let Me See Your Alligator (link)
Thank you for the opportunity to partner with you in the discipleship of your kid(s). My prayers are with you.
“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:6
Angela Moody is the Early Years Ministry Lead at Abundant Life.
