This week in Sunday school our pre-school through kindergarten students will hear about Esther (Esther 2:5-18, 3:1-6, 8:1-17).  The Jewish queen of a Persian king, her story is the basis for the celebration of Purim in Jewish tradition..  Esther was a young, beautiful, Jewish woman living in Persia. She was unknowingly thrust into one of the greatest stories of all time, due to a very strange turn of events. In order to remain in favor with the king, Esther was advised not to reveal that she was Jewish.  Esther proved to be a woman of unusual wisdom and courage.  Facing adversity with a quiet confidence and grace, she saves the Jews from death by the king’s orders.

Our 1^st grade through middle school students will  hear the complicated and action-packed events that lead Paul and Silas into prison (Acts 16:16-34).  These verses include three examples of people who are set free from bondage:  a girl is possessed by and freed from a spirit of divination, a jailer is bound to and freed from the requirements of his job, Paul and Silas are held captive and then freed from prison.  As they discuss these events, our children will come to understand how their faith in God can set them free to treat one another with love even in the most challenging.

-Kim