This lesson teaches children that God can rescue His people even when an evil plan seems to be winning. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the story, the verses, and the activity.
Big Idea
God protects His people, and He can turn a wicked plan right back on the person who made it. Queen Esther was brave, and God used her courage to save her people.
Memory Verse
Esther 7:3
Then Esther the queen answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request.
(WEB)
Have children stand up tall and hold both hands out in front of them, palms up, like they are asking for something important. Then have them put their hands on their hearts as they say the verse together.
The Story: Esther 7 for Kids
King Ahasuerus loved to throw big feasts. One evening he and his wicked helper Haman sat down with Queen Esther to eat and drink wine. The king was kind to Esther, so he asked her, “What do you want? I will give it to you, even if it is half of my kingdom!”
Esther was brave. She told the king that she and her people were in danger. An enemy was plotting to destroy them all. She pointed right at Haman and said, “This wicked man is our enemy!” Haman was so scared that he could not speak.
The king was very angry. He got up and walked out into the palace garden to think. Haman stayed behind and began to beg Queen Esther to save his life. When the king came back in and saw Haman near Esther, he became even more upset.
Then one of the king’s helpers said that Haman had built a tall gallows, a wooden frame for hanging people, to hurt Mordecai, the man who had helped the king. The king said, “Hang Haman on it!” So Haman was hanged on the very gallows he had prepared for someone else.
The bad plan failed, and the danger was over. God had used a brave queen to save His people, and the wicked man received what his own plan had brought.
Read It Together
Esther 7:1-2
1 So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. 2 The king said again to Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, “What is your petition, queen Esther? It shall be granted you. What is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.”
(WEB)
Point out that the king asked Esther what she wanted, and he promised to give it to her. Ask the children what kind of person they think it takes to ask a king for help.
Esther 7:3-4
3 Then Esther the queen answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request. 4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for male and female slaves, I would have held my peace, although the adversary could not have compensated for the king’s loss.”
(WEB)
Show the children that Esther spoke honestly and bravely about the danger to her people. Help them see that telling the truth can take courage, even when it is hard.
Esther 7:9-10
9 Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs who were with the king said, “Behold, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman has made for Mordecai, who spoke good for the king, is standing at Haman’s house.” The king said, “Hang him on it!” 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.
(WEB)
Point out that Haman was hanged on the gallows he built for Mordecai. Explain that God is fair, and the plan meant to hurt others ended up hurting the one who made it.
Talk About It
- What did Esther do when she knew her people were in danger?
- How do you think Esther felt when she had to speak to the king?
- Why do you think Haman was so frightened at the banquet?
- What can we learn about God from how this story ended?
- When is a time you had to be brave and tell the truth?
Activity Ideas
Crown for a Queen
You will need paper strips, markers or crayons, glue, and tape. Let each child decorate a paper strip, then tape the ends together to fit their head like a crown. As they make it, remind them that Esther used her courage to save her people, and talk about what brave things they could do.
Hands Up for Esther
Play a simple game where you call out a word from the story, such as “king,” “feast,” “garden,” or “gallows.” When children hear a word, they act it out with a movement, like a bow for the king or a tall reach for the gallows. Keep it quick and playful so everyone stays involved.
Brave Words Card
You will need an index card and a pencil for each child. Have them write or draw one brave thing they can say or do this week. Encourage them to take the card home and place it somewhere they will see it each morning, such as on the bathroom mirror or by their shoes.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God works in His world even when His people face real danger and when wicked people seem powerful. Esther’s courage is part of God’s plan to save His people, and the downfall of Haman shows that God’s justice is real. Adults can take encouragement that God is faithful even when the outcome is not yet clear.
Avoid suggesting that God wants children to hurt or punish people who have wronged them. Haman’s end is a historical event in the story, not a model for how children should respond to their own conflicts. Keep the focus on God’s protection and on the call to be brave and honest.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for keeping Your people safe. Help us be brave like Queen Esther when we need to speak the truth. Thank You that You are always with us and that You can turn bad plans around for good. Amen.
