Lesson Cont...

This is a well-known and short Bible story. It can be easily read straight from the Bible. Here are some highlights to cover with the students for background:

The setting of this story is in Jericho. Help your students remember when they have learned about Jericho in the past.

• Jericho was the first city Israel conquered as they moved into the Promised Land after wandering the desert. 

• Joshua led the way into Jericho after crossing the Jordan River, with the help of Rahab

• Jericho is also the city Jesus used in his Parable of the Good Samaritan

Zacchaeus was a tax collector. Back in those days, people didn't like tax collectors any more than we like people who work for the IRS or your government's tax-collecting agency today. In addition to collecting legitimate taxes, tax collectors back in those days had mostly free reign to collect whatever they could. They would many times steal and manipulate people for their own gains. So he wasn't just a tax collector, he was also a thief.

Can you think of another person who was prominent in the Bible who was a tax collector? That's right, Matthew, one of Jesus' disciples, was a tax collector. 

Once again, Jesus wanted to hang out with this man that the religious people of his day thought was a "sinner" (well, they were right!). But Jesus didn't let that get in the way of showing him love. In that time (much like today), going to someone's home to eat is a sign of respect to that person.

We don't know exactly what Jesus said or did at dinner, but apparently it had a huge impact on Zacchaues. He decided that he was going to be done with his stealing ways. Here are the things he did in response to Jesus that day:

1. He gave half of what he owned to the poor.

2. He gave back everything he cheated from people, but four times the amount!

Zacchaeus was a very rich man!

Jesus concludes by telling him that salvation has come to his house today. We know that just giving away money to poor people and stopping cheating ways doesn't save us. But Jesus clearly told Zacchaeus that it was evident he had been saved that day. (see Matthew 7:16-20)

Warm Up

Have you ever heard your mom or dad talking about taxes? Do they like paying taxes?

(For those with sales taxes) How about you? Have you ever been to a store and thought you had enough money to buy something, but you got to the register and they added in the tax, and you couldn't pay?

We don't like to pay taxes, do we? What if you found out that not only did you have to pay taxes, but the person collecting your money at the checkout line at the store was making you pay more than you should have and they were stealing your money? You wouldn't be very happy with that person, would you?

Today, we're going to learn about a man in the Bible who was doing just that - he was cheating people out of their tax money. And Jesus decided he was going to go to his house and eat dinner!

Teach the Story

Comprehension Questions

• What city was Jesus in when he met Zacchaeus?

Jericho

• What did Zacchaeus do for a job?

Tax collector

• Why did people dislike him so much?

He cheated people and stole money from them

• Why did Zacchaeus have to climb a tree to see Jesus

Because he was short!

• What kind of tree did he climb?

Sycamore fig tree

• What did Jesus say to him when he saw him up in the tree?

To come down, that he wanted to eat dinner with him that night

• What did all the people around Jesus say when Jesus went to eat dinner with him?

They mumbled to themselves that Jesus was eating with a sinner

• What did Zacchaeus promise to do after he ate with Jesus?

To give half of what he had to the poor, and repay those he had cheated by giving back 4 times as much as he stole from them

• Zacchaeus gave money back to those who he cheated in response to Jesus. How has your life changed since you received salvation from Jesus?

Memory Verse 

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13 

What to do:

1. Before class print out the Zacchaeus pattern and cut leaf shapes from green construction paper.

2. In class have your children draw a tree or help your children trace their hands and arms on a piece of paper to make a tree shape.

3. Have them color the "tree" and then glue on construction paper leaves.

4. Make grass by cutting slits in strips of green paper and glue them to the bottom of the page.

5. To finish have your children color the picture of Zacchaeus and glue him in the tree.

Directions

1. Give the kids a piece or cardstock paper or foam paper
2. Let them find the letters of their name from the letter sticker bag and put it on their page
3. They can decorate their nameplate however they would like!

Directions

1. Kids sit in a circle and take turns saying three things about themselves that make them unique. One of those things is NOT the truth. During the game, others must guess which one is not the truth. You can also connect it by noting that God KNOWS us all and every little thing about us so He would win at that game.

Directions

1. Gather everyone in a circle.

2. Pick a player to begin gameplay at random, or by whatever method you choose.

3. For each round, the leader calls out an emotion that can be shown with a facial expression, such as “happy,” “sad,” “angry,” or “surprised.

4. Gameplay begins when the leader calls out an emotion and the first player responds with their facial expression exhibiting that emotion.

5. After making the expression, the player to the left then has a turn to make the same emotion.

6. The round continues until everyone has had a chance to share their expression.

7. Game play continues as long as desired or you run out of emotions.

8. A fun modification can also be made where players show their reaction to news through facial expression (See Below)

Game Modification

Reaction To News

After a few warm-up rounds with simple emotions, you can change the game up by asking players to make facial expressions in response to learning something. For example, players can be asked to show their expression and reaction upon “Being given a million dollars,” “Finding out a tornado is headed your way,” or “Meeting your favorite celebrity.”

You can also give the players an opportunity to come up with ideas for expressions!