This lesson teaches children that God saved His people from their enemies, and that remembering His rescue with joy is good and right. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, verses, and an activity.
Big Idea
God rescued His people from people who wanted to hurt them, so His people remember that rescue with thankful celebration every year.
Memory Verse
Esther 9:22
As the days in which the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned to them from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into a good day; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending presents of food to one another, and gifts to the needy.
(WEB)
Teach the children to cup both hands in front of their chests, then open them wide and lift them up slowly, like a gift being given away. Do this each time you say the verse, so the motion of giving and celebrating sticks with the words.
The Story: Esther 9 for Kids
Many years before, a wicked man named Haman had made a plan to destroy all the Jewish people in the kingdom of King Ahasuerus. Haman had chosen a day by casting lots, which is like rolling dice to pick a date. The day he picked was the thirteenth day of the month Adar. Haman was sure his plan would work, and the Jewish people were very afraid.
But God had a better plan. Queen Esther, who was herself a Jew, bravely spoke to the king, and Mordecai, her cousin, had warned her what to do. When the king learned of Haman’s wicked plan, he ordered that Haman be hanged on the gallows he had built for Mordecai. The king also made a new order that let the Jewish people defend themselves.
When the thirteenth day came, the Jewish people gathered together in their cities. Their enemies could not stand against them, because the people everywhere had become afraid of Mordecai and the Jews. The Jews were safe, and the day that had been meant for their destruction became a day of victory.
The Jewish people did not take any of their enemies’ belongings. They only wanted to be safe and free. After they had rested on the fourteenth day, they made it a day of feasting and happiness, and they sent gifts of food to one another. Mordecai wrote letters to all the Jewish people, asking them to remember these days every year.
The people called these days Purim, because Haman had cast lots, which is called pur in the story. Esther and Mordecai asked that the Jewish people remember these days of rescue for every generation. This was a way of saying thank you to God for saving them.
Read It Together
Esther 9:1
Now in the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the month, when the king’s commandment and his decree came near to be put in execution, on the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to conquer them, (but it was turned out the opposite happened, that the Jews conquered those who hated them)…
(WEB)
Point out that the day meant for the Jews’ destruction turned around, so that their enemies were defeated instead. Ask the children to notice the word “turned” and talk about how God can turn sad days into happy ones.
Esther 9:20-22
20 Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both near and far, 21 to enjoin them that they should keep the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month Adar yearly, 22 as the days in which the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned to them from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into a good day; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending presents of food to one another, and gifts to the needy.
(WEB)
Show the children how Mordecai asked the people to celebrate every year. Point out the gifts of food and gifts to the needy, and ask how sharing with others is part of celebrating God’s goodness.
Esther 9:26
Therefore they called these days “Purim”, from the word “Pur.” Therefore because of all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and that which had come to them…
(WEB)
Explain that the name Purim came from the lots that Haman cast. Help the children see that the feast was named to remember exactly how God rescued His people, so they would never forget.
Talk About It
- What did Haman want to do to the Jewish people, and how did God change that plan?
- Why do you think the Jewish people felt they needed to remember these days every year?
- How did Queen Esther show courage when she spoke to the king?
- What is something God has done for you that you could thank Him for today?
- Why do you think sharing food and gifts with others was part of the celebration?
Activity Ideas
Thankful Banner Craft
You will need paper strips, crayons, markers, glue, and string. Have each child write or draw one thing God has rescued them from or helped them through on a paper strip. Glue the strips to a long piece of string and hang the banner in your room as a reminder of God’s goodness.
Turn the Day Around Game
Choose one child to be Haman and have them stand in the middle of the room with a pretend plan, like a piece of paper. Everyone else tries to bring the plan down by gently tapping the paper or walking around it together. Explain that God turned the plan around, and let the children cheer when the plan falls.
Feast of Gifts Take-Home
You will need small paper bags, a few snacks like crackers or fruit, and a card. Fill each bag with a snack and write a short thank-you note from the child inside the card. Ask each child to take the bag home and share it with someone in their family, reminding them to celebrate God’s goodness together.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Esther 9 shows that God works quietly through ordinary people and sometimes turns evil plans against those who make them. The celebration of Purim is a lasting reminder that God keeps His promises to His people across generations, and that gratitude should be shared with others, especially those in need.
Avoid overstating to children that the Jewish people’s actions in the story are a model for us to follow in violence. Children should understand that the story describes a specific historical situation, and that God’s care for His people is the focus, not the details of the conflict.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Lord, thank You for rescuing Your people and turning sad days into happy ones. Help us remember Your goodness, thank You for the ways You take care of us, and help us share Your kindness with others. We love You. Amen.
