Leader Guide

Bible Study

Note: It is important to understand that, for medical reasons, children should not skip meals to fast. Some parents may not understand spiritual fasting and may need you or a church leader to explain it to them.

In the story of Esther, the Jewish people fasted when they found out about the king’s decree. Later, Queen Esther declared a fast before she went to the king. So, what is fasting?

Basically, fasting is giving up something enjoyable for a period of time. It can mean giving up a meal or meals. However, people must have food and water to live, so they cannot fast from them for very long. Fasting can also mean not eating a specific kind of food that we really like, such as candy or desserts. People also may give up—or fast from—other things that are important to them or that they personally enjoy, such as watching TV, using the computer, or playing video games.

The reason people fast is so they can spend the time they would have used for these activities to pray, to read God’s Word, and to worship Him.

Our spirits should be in control of our bodies. But often, we “think with our bellies”—meaning that we make decisions based on what our bodies feel or want to do at the moment. The purpose of fasting is to reject what our flesh wants so that our spirit can get back in charge.

Let me make something very clear. Fasting is NOT trying to bribe God or impress Him with our good works to try to get Him to give us something that we want. No, fasting helps us focus on God and express our seriousness in seeking Him.

Read Jeremiah 33:3 (nkjv):

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”

If we call upon God, what will He do? He will answer us.

Does that scripture say we must fast in order for Him to answer us? No.

Sometimes when we call upon God, He may be trying to speak to us, but we are so busy or distracted that we can’t hear His answers. Fasting can remove those distractions so that our spiritual ears can hear God’s voice speaking in our hearts more clearly.

As we spend more time with God, we draw closer to Him and our relationship with Him deepens. There are many distractions in our lives, and fasting is a great way to remove these distractions and focus on God! We want to be willing to submit our entire being to Him, to spend time with Him, to listen to Him, and to receive everything that He has for us. When we focus on God, our spirit inside of us gets stronger.

Have children look up the passages and read them aloud. Lead a discussion using the questions below, and add your own questions as well.

1. Esther 4:3

And as news of the king’s decree reached all the provinces, there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, and wailed, and many people lay in burlap and ashes.

• Why were the Jewish people fasting? As a sign of their grief and sadness.
• What else did they do to display their sadness before God and others? Wept, wailed, lay in burlap and ashes.

2. Esther 4:15–16:

¹⁵Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: ¹⁶ “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.”

• How long did Esther say people should fast? Three days.
• What was the purpose of this fast? For Esther to have God’s favor as she approached the king.
• What was Esther willing to do for her people in going before the king to do the right thing?Die.

3. Matthew 4:1–3,11:

¹ Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. ² For forty days and forty nights He fasted and became very hungry. ³ During that time the devil came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” ¹¹ Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

• How long did Jesus fast?40 days and nights.
• Jesus was hungry and weak physically, but what was strong?His Spirit.
• What did fasting prepare Him for?Satan’s temptations, battle.
• Jesus won the battle—He did not sin. After the devil left Him, who cared for Jesus?God’s angels.

4. Acts 13:1–3:

¹ Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, and Saul. ² One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.”³ So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.

• What were the men doing? Praying, fasting and worshiping.
• Who did the Holy Spirit choose to send out for God’s work?Saul and Barnabas.
• Did the men obey the Holy Spirit?Yes, they laid hands on them and prayed, then sent them out.

Close in prayer: God, You are a holy, awesome God. When we submit and dedicate ourselves to You, You give us strength, favor, wisdom, direction, and courage to do the right thing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.