Rotation.org Writing Team
Purim: The Story of Esther
A Music ~ Worship ~ Drama "Do Something" Workshop
Summary of Activities
Esther saved people's lives by "doing something." She choose not to stay silent. She worked the problem and came up with a solution. Her risky act of doing the right thing became part of Purim's tradition of sharing food with others.
In this workshop, students create a visual presentation set to Matthew West's song, "Do Something." It can be used in a worship setting, as a children's sermon, or videotaped and shared in a prominent location on a screen.
This workshop is best used in the weeks AFTER the basic story of Esther has been presented in other lessons.
Scripture for the Lesson
The Story of Esther. As with other lessons in this set, the Writing Team recommends you use an illustrated, abbreviated and kid-friendly version of the story. See the Esther Resource Page for suggestions.
Key/Memory Verse: “Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.” Esther 4:14b (NRSV)
"Saw a world full of trouble.... God why don't you do something? And He said, I did
—I created you! "~ Matthew West
Lesson Objectives
See the Bible Background at rotation.org for this set's complete list of objectives.
This particular workshop's objectives are simple: teach the children a catchy song that reminds and motivates them to speak up, share, and get involved.
It also has the added bonus of presenting this message to others —which is what Mordecai did, and Disciples of Jesus do.
Preparation and Materials
- Read the Bible Background and scripture.
- Preview both of Matthew West's "Do Something" videos (seen below). You can download them for classroom if necessary. See download instructions.
- Print the list of words used in the signs.
- Screen/computer to show the music videos.
- Video camera and tripod.
- Decide on how your student's performance will be shared (live in Worship? or through a videotape playback on a display?)
- Posterboard or long scroll of paper. (See presentation suggestions below.)
- Extra wide markers to make signs with (you won't have time to let paint dry).
- Sticker-stars, and other decorative things that don't require glue for certain posters.
- Optional: Esther and Mordecai costumes
Please read the important copyright info found at the end of this lesson.
There are two different versions of the music video you will use in this lesson:
The first video you will use features both the song, and the story of Andrea who inspired Matthew West to write the song.
The second video features the "signs" and presentation that your students will imitate.
Here is Matthew West's "Do Something" video on YouTube.
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/b_RjndG0IX8
This is the style of presentation your students will be recreating with their own signs.
Here is the Live Version of "Do Something" featuring Andrea's story.
Andrea went to Uganda to fulfill a college credit, and stayed to create an orphanage for children. It was her story that inspired Matthew West to write the song.
Link: https://youtu.be/0qX5wcFUV4I
Andrea is a modern-day Esther!
"Saw a world full of trouble.... God why don't you do something?
...and He said, I did -- I created you!
If not us then who....
if not now, then when...
If not you, then who...
It's not enough to do nothing.
It's time for us to do something.
(full lyrics here or available by searching online)
Lesson Plan
This lesson is focused on preparing to present the song, and letting the message on the signs speak for the meaning of the story of Esther (in other words, don't talk this to death). It assumes your students have already heard the story of Esther and you will be able to help them outline it in the Opening activities. If they haven't yet heard it, substitute a Bible storybook version or short video. See this lesson set's Resource Page for several suggestions and links to short videos and storybooks. See the Adaptations at the end of the lesson for adapting this lesson to younger children and shorter class times.
Open
Ask and Do: Tell me the story of Esther. (see note above about options). Fill the outline and zero in on the central meaning of the story:
Mordecai helped Esther see that she was in a position to help her people, and at great risk, Esther did so. God moves us to see where our help is needed in the world, and as Disciples, we do something about it.
Do: Let's create a list of problems that need solved and decide which ones are top priority.
Say: In truth, they are all important, and the point is that each of us can find ourselves in a position to "do something" about each one. Perhaps YOU will be given the gifts and opportunity to tackle hunger, and another to help sick people, or be someone who befriends those who are outcasts/lonely/bullied.
Do: Watch the "Live" version of the video that feature's Andrea's story.
Questions to Ask:
- Did Andrea plan on getting involved?
- Did Andrea try to solve every problem?
- How is Andrea like Esther?
She became aware of a need, let her heart be moved, realized she could do something about it, and then did something about it.
Ask: What items on our "Problems" List could YOU do something about? (Write their suggestions. Note those items where your church is already doing something.)
Assign the Signs and Watch Video
Pass around the list of "DO" sign words (the words on posters seen in the next video) and assign them to your students to create. (Just because they create a sign, however, doesn't mean that will be the sign they hold for the presentation.)
The list of signs is in the order in which they appear in the video. Now tell them to watch the video for their word and be ready to create their OWN version of the sign with their assigned word on it.
Do: Watch the "Do Something" video -the version with the signs.
Ask: How are these signs and the video like Mordecai in the story of Esther? (They prompt us to do something!)
Say and Ask: Every Esther needs a Mordecai —someone to tell you the right thing to do, and encourage you to do it. Who are our Mordecai's? How can you be a Mordecai?
Create the "Mordecai Signs"
Have students write out the signs you'll use in your own version of "Do Something." Do this rather quickly. Make sure the words are big enough to be seen from far away.
You can eliminate some and add your own (see the list's suggestions). Use both sides of the poster board, or, write out all your signs on one long paper scroll which you unroll during the song.
When done, stack them in the order you want students to carry them into view.
Rehearse and Videotape the Signs
You can "stage" this any way you want, but try not to just have kids standing there holding a sign. Get them moving. Have them consider certain facial expressions and poses that convey the message of their sign. Remind them they will only be on camera for about 3 or 4 seconds with their sign.
Set up your videocamera/smartphone to capture a video of students stepping forward into the picture and holding their sign.
Place the video/computer screen that is showing Matthew West's video right next to your camera and facing the sign-holders so they can follow along.
Presentation Suggestion: STACK the signs off-camera in the correct order, and have students line up to take a sign and rotate "on camera" to show it, then rotate off to get another sign. This way a teacher can control timing of the signs.
Teach them to move off when someone else comes on camera with their sign.
It helps to put tape on the floor to show them where the "in frame" and "out of frame" areas are for video camera.
View the kids' version of the video
View then discuss/describe how you will be presenting this song to others.
After the lesson
If you're not going to perform the song live in worship, prominently display the signs and video on a large screen.
Adaptations
For Younger Students: Pre-word the signs and let them decorate them.
For those short on time: Cut the opening Esther outlining activity, and/or pre-make some of the signs.
Additional Thoughts to Share: Every Esther needs a Mordecai. Who are the people in YOUR life, at your church, at school, among your friends who ENCOURAGE YOU to do the right thing? How do we speak up? How do we "speak the truth in love" as Paul suggested?
About Matthew West
Matthew West is a Christian songwriter and recording artist. He has won Christian Music's Songwriter/Artist of the Year; is a four time Grammy nominee, and winner of both the American Music Award (2013) and a Billboard Music Award (2014).
Note: The song, "Do Something," is on his "Into the Light: Life Stories & Live Songs, Deluxe Edition" CD/DVD. It includes the live video version of "Do Something" with Andrea's story. It doesn't include the "signs" version of the video.
Important Copyright Info
This lesson links to YouTube videos posted and controlled by Matthew West's publisher. If you are only using the song in the classroom for "face to face" teaching purposes, you do not need a performance license. You only need to use a purchased copy of the song, or use the video which has been posted to YouTube by the publisher.
If you choose to publicly perform the song (i.e. in worship, in a hallway), you must have a license. Most churches have purchased the blanket CCLI license. That license includes the rights to perform Matthew West's song (Sparrow Records/Capitol CMG music) in worship or other public spaces within your church building.
The song can be purchased through Amazon Prime Music, or iTunes and downloaded to your tablet/computer or smartphone. Please support the artist. See these simple instructions for how to download a video from YouTube onto your laptop or tablet for playback in classroom that doesn't have the internet.
Written by the Rotation.org Writing Team
Lesson Copyright 2016, Rotation.org Inc.
Videos linked to on YouTube, Copyright Capital CMG music.
