Unit 21, Session 6: Esther Saved Her People
Esther 1–10
Christ Connection: God was in control over Haman’s evil plan to destroy the Jews. Like Haman, Satan wants to destroy believers. He thought he had won when Jesus died on the cross, but God raised Jesus from the dead and defeated Satan once and for all.
Adult Connection Point:
God is gathering people from all nations, tribes, and tongues to be the beneficiaries of His Son’s redemptive and atoning work. This is the foundation of our hope. The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world will establish a kingdom without end, and all who believe are certain to receive the blessings that have been promised by our loving Heavenly Father. And so we say, “Come, Lord Jesus.”
Ours is a mission of invitation, a mission to compel those who find themselves on the outside of the kingdom to be reconciled to God through Christ, to have their robes washed in His blood, and to have their guilt removed. This is the condition of entry, for no evil will be tolerated in the perfect kingdom of God.
So what does this mean for you? If you are not a believer, then you are invited to come. You do not have to find yourself on the outside, for Jesus calls you to repent of sin and enter His kingdom.
If you are a believer in Christ, then you have a responsibility to call out for whosoever will to “come,” receive the Living Water, and be born again. You should plead with others to be saved through the blood of the Lamb. You are a member of the priestly kingdom, and you represent the Savior to everyone you encounter. The thought of people being on the outside should create an urgency that shakes us from complacency and apathy and motivates us to share the hope that we have in Him. Won’t you share the Living Water today?
See Revelation 7:9-17.
Family Devotion:
Materials: finger food, tablecloth or blanket, napkins, paper plates
Plan your own family feast and include your kids in setting up the “table.” Keep it simple by providing finger foods. Gather your family around the “table” (a blanket on the floor with your feast of foods). Continue to enjoy your feast as you recall the Bible story.
Ask, “What was the problem in today’s Bible story?” Remind your children of the evil plan hatched by Haman to kill all the Jews. It was up to Esther to approach the king and expose evil Haman’s plan. The king received Esther and after two feasts she finally had the courage to tell the king the truth and put a stop to Haman’s plan.
Recall how Mordecai and the Jewish people fasted and prayed for Esther before she approached the king to invite him to her feasts. Because of their prayers and Esther’s courage, Satan’s plans were foiled and the Jewish people were saved.
Conclude your time by reassuring your kids that God knew of Haman’s evil plan all the time. Today you have an enemy that wants to plan evil for your lives, too, but when Jesus died on the cross and rose again he defeated Satan once and for all. Satan still prowls around wanting to defeat us, but remember He has no rule over us!
Pray, thanking God for sending Jesus to defeat Satan. Ask God to help you be strong when the enemy attacks.
No comments:
Post a Comment