Once upon a time there was a queen named Esther. Being a queen sounds great, but sometimes it can be dangerous! What would you do if you found out someone was planning to do something bad? Listen to hear what Esther did!

Esther

Hey parents! Use these questions as a guide to talk over this week’s lesson about Esther with your child after they’ve watched the video service!

1. Who was today's Bible story about?
   Esther. God made Esther and she loved God.
2. What did Esther wear on her head?
   A crown! The crown showed everyone that Esther was a queen.
3. One day, she heard someone was going to do something bad. Uh oh! Did Esther stop the bad thing from happening?
   Yes! She stopped the bad plan. Shake your head “no” because the plan was not good.
4. Esther had to do something brave and tell the king to stop the bad plan. Can you be brave, too?
   Yes! God helps us be brave. Show me your strong arms because God made us to do good and brave things.
5. Take some time to pray with your toddler. Encourage your toddler to sit with you and fold their hands, saying something like:
   God, thank you for loving us and wanting to be our friend. Thank you for making us. Help us do good things and be brave like Esther! We love you! Amen.

Parent Encouragement - Esther

Hey parents! Here's something for you to be encouraged by and get ideas to bring this Bible story into your everyday conversation with your child at home!

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Toddler Craft – Esther Character Stick

In this craft, your toddler will create their own Esther Character Stick to remind them of the main character from the Bible story. God made Esther, and God made them!

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Toddler Activity – Talk Like Esther

In this activity, your toddler will bring the craft they made to life. They will practice saying and doing things with their Esther Character Stick to remember this Bible story about Esther.

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Toddler Coloring Page - Esther

We have a variety of coloring pages to help your child remember familiar faces from this month’s lesson!

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Navigating Parenthood - Esther

Hey parents! Saddleback Parents has great training, tips, and tools to help you win. Check out this blog post all about how to foster healthy obedience in our children that comes from a place of love and respect rather than rules they follow out of obligation

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At Saddleback Kids we believe every kid should be known, connected, equipped and empowered. KNOWN by another kid and a leader. CONNECTED to a group where they can grow spiritually. EQUIPPED with the tools and the knowledge to develop a strong faith in Jesus. EMPOWERED to serve others and share Jesus in the world.

To sum it up, Saddleback Kids exists to connect kids to God and others while helping them live a purpose driven life.

Stories of the Bible Jr is a part of the Lumivoz Podcast Network for more great shows like Stories of the Bible Jr and others, just search "Lumivoz" in your favorite podcast app!

Storms can be scary... unless you know you're safe. Then they're kind of fun! But how can you know if you are safe? The disciples were scared of a storm in this episode. But they didn't need to be! Find out why they were so safe.

Jesus is more powerful than any storm
Jesus Calms the Storm

“When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Silence! Be still!’ Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:39)

Mark 4:35-41

Jesus told us in scripture that we will face many trials in this life (John 16:33). This is a fact of life – not an “if,” but a “when.” Maybe you have not experienced trials yet or maybe you have been through more than your fair share of struggle. Whatever the case may be, God can handle it.

Jesus demonstrates His power to the disciples by effortlessly calming a raging storm after suggesting He and the disciples cross the lake in a boat. Soon after setting off on their journey, a storm, described as “fierce,” comes upon them. The boat began to fill with water and, understandably so, the disciples began to panic. They looked around for Jesus, but could not find Him. Eventually, they found Him sleeping peacefully in the back of the boat. He was unfazed by the storm because He was not afraid. The disciples began yelling, “Don’t you care that we are going to drown?” Jesus woke up and using only His voice, instructed the waves and wind to be still. Immediately, the storm subsided.

Once the storm had ended, Jesus turned to His disciples and asked, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” In the midst of a raging storm, Jesus felt peace because He knew He was stronger than the storm. He would not let it bring down the ship. Yet, the disciples let fear consume them when they faced the storm, not believing that Jesus could save them.

When trials or “storms” enter our lives, it is easy to let our fear lead us. Let this miracle be a testament to the power of Christ in our lives. By calming the dangerous storm, He showed us that He can calm any type of storm we are facing. When something scary happens, we do not have to be afraid because Jesus has proved that He is more powerful than anything we will face, including nature.

Questions to think about:

What storm are you facing?
What stands in the way of you handing over your fear to Christ?
Is there a time in your life when Jesus has calmed a storm you faced? Trust that He can do it again.

David wasn't even a grown up, but one day he found himself in the middle of a war. And suddenly there was a giant! A real one! What would you do? What did David do? Find out now!
David And Goliath

Hey parents! Use these questions as a guide to talk over this week’s lesson, David and Goliath, with your child after they’ve listened to the show!

1. What was your favorite part of the story?
2. Was David afraid of Goliath? Why did he feel this way?
   David wasn’t afraid of Goliath because he knew God was bigger and stronger. He was confident in God!
3. Why was David confident in God?
   David remembered the times that God had taken care of him before – like when he rescued David from lions and bears. He knew that God was bigger and stronger than all things – even Goliath. David didn’t need to be afraid because he knew that God would still do great things.
4. What are some great things God has done?
   Spend some time thinking with your child about the good things God has done in the Bible and some good things God has done for you and your family!
5. Pray with your child. You might say something like this:
   Dear God, thank you for the great things you have done for me. Help me to remember those great things, and to always know that you will do great things again because you are a good God, and you love me. I love you! Amen.

Parent Devotional

Hey parents! We have something just for you to enjoy this week’s Bible story for yourself. Read over this devotion sometime this week as a way for you to reflect on the Bible story your child saw from Church at Home. We love you!

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Early Childhood Craft

Your child will create their own pouch filled with stones like the pouch David used to hold his stones. Each stone will represent a part of the Bible story and remind them they can be confident like David.

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Early Childhood Coloring Page and Activity Sheet

Each week we have a new coloring page and activity sheet for your child to remember the Bible story for the week and learn more about our Big Idea.

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Navigating Parenthood

Hey parents! Saddleback Parents has great training, tips, and tools to help you win. Check out this blog post all about building our kids’ confidence – not only in themselves but as children of God, too.

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