Jesus visits Zacchaeus
key words
biblical reference
Luke 19:1-9
lesson objective
To help children learn to be thankful to God for having sent his son Jesus.
memory verse
“And the child grew and became strong” (Luke 2:40a, NIV*).
prepare yourself to teach
Children and adults know the story of Zacchaeus, but every time we hear it, we find a new teaching about how God’s grace works in our lives.
Scripture tells us that Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, and ran to stand at the front of the crowd. No doubt this man was motivated by curiosity. When he realized that he could not see the Master because there were many people, he decided to climb a tree. Then comes the change in this man’s life. He has a personal encounter with Jesus. As a result, his life changes and his efforts take a new direction.
We can relate this story to the spiritual life of children in different ways. They remember very well when they listen attentively and focus on learning. Some four-year-olds are having a lot of fun with rhyming puns, wanting to hear affirmations and finding answers to their questions, while others get bored listening. Also, four-year-olds ask a lot about the “why” of everything in their search for information and understanding.
At the conclusion of this unit, try to resolve all doubts your children have about Jesus and the stories they studied over these weeks. Affirm your children in their growth and knowledge of God.
Children like to feel loved. In today’s story, when Jesus stopped to invite Zacchaeus to begin a relationship with him, we see God seeking love in action. Through this story, the children will experience the love and acceptance of Jesus. When they understand it, and take responsibility for their attitudes and behavior, they will begin to change as Zacchaeus changed. Children will begin to reflect the love of God in their lives.
During this stage of development, children begin an intensive learning process. This can be reflected in their words and actions.
In this last lesson of the unit, take time to observe your children, notice that they grow every day, just like Jesus in his childhood. They change physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
Each day they will become more aware of the needs of others; they will begin to lose their shyness and learn what it means for them to grow in the same way that Jesus did. Affirm their growth. Provide a special time in which parents can visit the class and observe the development of their children.
introduce the lesson
I can talk to others about Jesus
You will need white pieces of paper, crayons, glue, black pencils, and magazine or newspaper clippings in which there are families, single women, children, youth, men, and old people. Prepare enough so that each of your children can choose two or three figures.
Show the different figures you brought to the class and say: “Look at how many people there are - men, women, grandparents, and children; but they still do not know Jesus.”
Tell an example from your personal life, about a family member or friend who does not yet know Jesus Christ.
Ask: “Do any of you have family or friends who do not know Jesus?”
Give them time to respond. Give one sheet of paper to each one, with the title on the top, saying: “I can tell others about Jesus.”
Let them choose from the people figures the ones they want, and glue them on their pages. Ask them to explain who they represent, and help them write the names of people below the figures (e.g., my cousin Karina).
Tell the children that in today’s story, Jesus also met a person who did not know God.
teach the lesson
The story of Zacchaeus
Study Luke 19:1-9 before the session and be prepared to tell the story in your own words. Guide the children to the designated area to hear the Bible story.
Tell the group: “How wonderful! During these weeks we have learned about how Jesus grew up. We also grow more and more each day. In today’s Bible story, Jesus is no longer a baby or a child. He is already a grownup man, and he did something very special - he helped a man named Zacchaeus.”
Preschoolers focus their attention more easily if they have visual stimuli. If you do not have teaching materials to illustrate this lesson, you can easily work it out. Perhaps you can bring a branch from a tree for a prop for this lesson. If not, find a large piece of paper or cardboard in which you can draw the figure of a large tree and a path. You ca also draw and cut out figures of people, a figure of Jesus, and a figure of Zacchaeus. You will also need something to attach the figures to the branch or paper/ cardboard. Use the branch or paper/ cardboard as background to tell the story.
First, place the picture of Jesus and talk about his ministry of teaching people and how the crowds followed him to listen to him. Add the figures of the people very close to him to represent the crowd.
Then, show the smaller figure, which represents Zacchaeus. Talk about how difficult it was for this man to see Jesus, because he was very short.
Tell about how Zacchaeus had to climb the tree to see the Master. Finish the story by bringing the figure of Jesus to the tree, and mentioning what happened next. Show how the encounter with Jesus changed the life of Zacchaeus.
Tell the Bible story with changes in the tone of your voice, depending on the character who is speaking.
connect the lesson
My book about Jesus
Give the children Student Activity Sheet #4-A and #4-C. Help them find the cut out in SAS #4-C for their picture Book about Jesus. Help them cut out the last figure referring to Zacchaeus and Jesus. As you review the Bible story, allow them to glue the remaining figure in the book (SAS #4-A). Talk about how we can help those who do not know the Word of God.
Tell them: “We have finished the book. You can take it home to tell your family and friends everything we learned about how Jesus grew and how he helps us to grow.”
Zacchaeus, come down from there!
Using small scissors with a rounded tip, let the children cut out the Zacchaeus figures from the bottom of the Student Activity Sheet #4-B.
Through this activity, they can review the Bible story and tell it to others. When they finish cutting the figures of Zacchaeus, ask them to recreate the Bible story. Place Zacchaeus in the tree when he tries to see Jesus, and then close to the Master, when Jesus asks him to come down from the tree.
Ask the children the questions on Student Activity Sheet #4-C. Why did Zacchaeus climb the tree? What did Jesus do when he saw Zacchaeus? What did Zacchaeus do after meeting Jesus?
Encourage the children to take home their activity sheets and share the lesson their families and friends.
practice the memory verse
Teach the children the following motions. Then practice the memory verse with them using the motions.
“And the child…" (move your arms as if rocking a baby)
"…grew…" (crouch down and slowly stand up)
"…and became strong” (flex your arm muscles)
"Luke 2:40" (put the palms of your hands together and open them as if you were opening the bible)
As you speak to their family members, encourage them to ask the child to recite the memory verse with the motions.
wrap-up
Pray
Ask the children to close their eyes as you say the farewell prayer.
Encourage
Before you say goodbye, talk to your children and tell them: “We have learned about how Jesus grew since he was a baby. God took care of his life from the beginning, and he also takes care of us all. Throughout his life, Jesus demonstrated his love for people, and he wants us to love them in the same way. He speaks to us through his Word, and expects us to be obedient in everything he tells us.”
Invite
Create anticipation for the next session. Tell the group that they will start a new unit of lessons. Tell them the topic to make a connection and awakening interest in them for not missing. Tell them that their friends are welcome.
* Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™