Curriculum
Zacchaeus Goes Out on a Limb
Memory Verse:
“The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them.” Luke 19:10
Bible Background
What Kids Will Learn
Zacchaeus was lost without Jesus. Jesus sought him out and invited him into a relationship—even though Zacchaeus had made poor choices.
Scripture Summary
Rome controlled much of what is now known as Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa. They were a force to be reckoned with. The Romans issued large taxes and hired tax collectors to do just that—collect taxes from the commoners.
The Jewish people opposed the taxes as the money went to support a government and its officials who didn’t honor God.
Tax collectors were considered traitors. They were Jewish, yet they agreed to work for Rome. To make matters worse, many tax collectors were thieves as they collected more than Rome required and pocketed a profit.
Despite Zacchaeus’ choices, lifestyle, and reputation, Jesus sought him out. Jesus not only saw Zacchaeus, He also engaged in friendship. Jesus wanted to be sure that Zacchaeus received a personal invitation from Him. Jesus knew him and called him by name.
And Zacchaeus responded. He joyfully accepted Jesus. Sometimes it takes time, but Zacchaeus’ heart change quickly caused changes in his behavior. He chose, with a genuine heart, to give to the poor and pay back what he stole.
The crowd was watching the entire time. They knew Zacchaeus. They had heard of Jesus. They witnessed the interaction between the two and Zacchaeus’ conversion. Jesus continued to shock the crowd listening in by acknowledging that Zacchaeus, a hated man, was also a descendant of Abraham and that a descendant of Abraham could be lost.
Why Is This Important
Jesus knows. He knows it all. He knows what decisions we’ve made and how lost we are without Him. He loves each one of us so much that He also knows our name and invites us into a life-changing relationship with Him.
Teacher Devotion
Scripture
What’s in a Name?
“All the people saw this and began to mutter, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.’” (Luke 19:7)
Just like with what happened to Zacchaeus, there seems to be a crowd of people watching and muttering their opinions of us throughout our lives. I think it’s important to notice that the people who were observing this interaction between Jesus and Zacchaeus didn’t call Zacchaeus by name. They had interacted with him, and they didn’t like him one bit. They chose to call him by a descriptor, “a sinner,” rather than by his name.
But Jesus called Zacchaeus by name. Jesus knew Zacchaeus–even better than the people who had interacted with him for some time. Jesus went out of His way toinvite Zacchaeus into a life-changing relationship. Jesus knew Zacchaeus, knew his name, and knew the potential Zacchaeus held.
The meanings behind names are just as vastly different as the people who hold the names. Some people live up to their name. Many have names that speak of a hope for the future.
Abraham means “father of a multitude.” Sarah means “lady, princess.”
David means “beloved.”
Rahab means “vast, generous.” Ruth means “friend.” Zacchaeus means “pure.”
Peter means “stone, rock.”
We’re all sinners, but Jesus doesn’t label us and call us by our past sins or poor choices. He knows us. Everything about us. And He calls us by name.
What is the meaning of your given name? Do you know the story of how your parents chose the name? If you’re unaware, do a quick Google search for the meaning of your name. Once you have the meaning, ponder how that meaning has and will play a role in your life.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for loving me. You love me even though You know everything about me. Please help me live into my identity as Your beloved child throughout today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible Memory Verse
You’ll Need: Bible
Get Ready: Draw a large tree on paper, a whiteboard, or chalkboard. Write Luke 19:10 on the tree trunk.
“The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them.” Luke 19:10
Have children draw leaves on the tree. Then help them write one word from the verse for each leaf on the tree.
Then work with children to point to the words on the tree in correct order to learn the Bible verse together.
Interactive Bible Experience
You’ll Need: Bible
Tell kids that you’re going to read the Bible story and they’re going to help you act it out by pretending to be Zacchaeus. Have kids take off their shoes and place their knees in their shoes so they can be short like Zacchaeus. Kids will be “standing” on their knees.
SAY: This is the whole story of Zacchaeus that we find in our Bible lesson today. Jesus was traveling through the streets of Jericho, where a man named Zacchaeus lived.
Have kids act like they’re asleep and waking up at home.
Zacchaeus was a tax collector. That means he took money from people.
Have kids act like they’re taking money from each other.
Zacchaeus desperately wanted to see Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd that lined the street.
Have kids jump up and down in their shoes like they’re excited and trying to see.
Zacchaeus ran ahead of the crowd and climbed up into a sycamore tree beside the road. Jesus would pass right by him and he would get a good view from the tree.
Have kids pretend to climb a tree.
When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. Jesus knew his name!
Have kids act happy because Jesus knows their name.
“Zacchaeus!” Jesus said. “Come down quickly. I am going to be a guest in your home today.”
Have kids pretend to climb down the tree.
Zacchaeus scampered down from the tree and took Jesus to his house.
Have kids pretend to walk to their house.
The people in the crowd were shocked! You see, Zacchaeus was one of the most hated men in all of Jericho. Why did the people hate him? Because he was a thief and a cheat! He had become very rich by collecting more taxes than people owed and keeping it for himself. The people could not believe that Jesus would go to the home of a man like that!
Have kids act embarrassed and unhappy.
Zacchaeus knew that he had cheated people.
Have kids put their forefinger to their forehead as though having an idea.
When Zaccaheus and Jesus arrived at his house, he confessed and said that he was sorry for what he had done. He said to Jesus, “I am going to give half of all that I own to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
Have kids pretend to give money back to everyone.
Because Zacchaeus was sorry for what he had done and confessed his sin, Jesus forgave him and said, “Salvation has come to this house today. The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them.”
Have kids act very happy.
SAY: When Zacchaeus met Jesus, his life was changed. It doesn’t matter if you are short or tall, Jesus knows your name and knows all about you. When you meet Jesus, He will change your life, too.
Snack
Zacchaeus Tree Snack
You’ll Need: For each child, you’ll need:, One half banana cut lengthwise Sliced green apples, Eight vanilla wafers, Paper plate, Napkin, Dull plastic knife
Have kids follow these steps to make a tree.
- Lay their cut banana in the center of the plate.
- Arrange green apples at the top for leaves.
- Arrange vanilla wafers at the bottom for dirt.
Enjoy!
Game
Payback Game
You’ll Need: Foil-wrapped chocolate coins
Get Ready: Before class, hide three chocolate coins for each child around your room.
Tell kids there are three coins for each person. Have kids search for the hidden chocolate coins. Once all the coins are found, redistribute the coins so everyone has three coins.
Choose someone to be Zacchaeus the tax collector. Tell children that legally they have to pay a tax of one coin to Zacchaeus but because he cheats and is greedy, he is going to take two coins from everyone.
ASK:
- What do you think about what just happened?
- What do you think people would have thought about
Zacchaeus as a tax collector?
Have Zacchaeus return two coins plus two more to each person.
ASK:
- Why do you think Zacchaeus was so generous after meeting Jesus?
- Why do you think it was important to Zacchaeus that Jesus knew his name?
SAY: Jesus knew Zacchaeus’ name. And Jesus knows your name. That also means Jesus knows everything about you and loves you!
ASK:
- What kind of things can we do to show Jesus how grateful we are for His forgiveness and love?
Craft
Zacchaeus Tree Craft
You’ll Need: Construction paper, Pencil, Watercolor paint, Paint brushes, Cups of water, Green inkpad, Gluesticks, “Zacchaeus” handout
Get Ready: Copy the “Zacchaeus” handout and cut apart the pictures of Zacchaeus so each child has one.
Trace each child’s arm and opened hand onto a sheet of construction paper.
Then have children follow these steps.
- Paint the arm and hand brown.
- Use the green ink pad for fingerprint “leaves” on their tree.
- Glue the Zacchaeus picture to a branch on the tree.
Prayer
Prayer for My Friend
You’ll Need: Bible
Read Matthew 1:23. Tell kids that Jesus’ name Immanuel means “God with us.” Ask kids if any of them know what their names mean. If so, have them share.
Then form pairs. Have kids take turns praying for their partner by name. Encourage them to thank God for their partner and that He knows their name, knows everything about them, and loves them.
