unit 2: ministry of christ nt2.13 zacchaeus meets jesus ... · jesus and his disciples were on...

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NT2.13 Zacchaeus Meets Jesus © Beverly Wilson 2020

Unit 2: Ministry of Christ NT2.13 Zacchaeus Meets Jesus

Scripture: Luke 19: 1-10

Lesson Goal In this lesson Jesus loved and forgave Zacchaeus even though he had cheated people. We will learn that Jesus wants to forgive and love us too when we do wrong. .

Introduction: This is the thirteenth lesson in Unit 2: The Ministry of Christ. The life and ministry of Jesus is told to us in the first four books of the New Testament. In this lesson Jesus loved and forgave Zacchaeus even though he had cheated people. We will learn that Jesus wants to forgive and love us too when we do wrong. This lesson is found in the book of Luke. This book is part of the four Gospels which are the first four books in the New Testament. This book is part of the four books called the Gospels in the New Testament. The word Gospel means the "Good News about Jesus." The Gospels tell the life and ministry of Jesus while He was here on earth. Let's say the names of the gospels--Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Attention Getter: Show pictures of a parade that recently happened in your community. Say: “Have you ever been to a parade in which a very important person was going to appear? Maybe it was the President, or the governor, or maybe it was a movie star who was coming to town? What was the crowd like? Was it noisy? Did you have to struggle to find a place where you could see what was happening? Perhaps others wouldn't let you in. If they didn't then you can understand how the person in our lesson today felt.” Alternative: Show a basketball. Say: “I know that many of you like to play basketball. Basketball is a very popular sport for both boys and girls. There are several things that are very important if you want to be a good basketball player. First, you need good hands so that you can catch the ball and dribble up and down the court. A good player should be able to dribble equally well with their right or left hand and can dribble behind their back and between their legs. It also helps to have quick feet and to be a good shooter. Those are skills which many people can develop with a lot of determination and hard work.” “There is another thing that is very helpful if you want to play basketball -- and it is something that you can't develop no matter how hard you work. Do you know what that is? It is very helpful if you are tall! Most professional basketball players today are close to seven feet tall. It is helpful to be tall, but you can be successful in basketball without being tall.” “Several years ago there was a player by the name of Nate Archibald at the University of Texas at El Paso. When he finished college, most of the professional teams ignored Nate because he was too short. In fact, his nickname was "Tiny." The Cincinnati Royals decided to take a chance on Nate and signed him to play on their team.” “Well, Nate made it big in the NBA because he was lightning fast, had good hands, and he was a great shooter. He played in the NBA for fourteen seasons and became known as the player who proved that a "little man" could play in the NBA. Just listen to some of the honors he won: He was named to the All-NBA team five times; He was named to the NBA All-Star team six times; He was elected to the NBA Hall of Fame on May 13, 1991. Not too bad for a man that most people thought

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was too short to play in the NBA. The Bible tells us about another man who became great even though he was not very tall. His name was Zacchaeus.”

Opening Prayer: “Dear Father in heaven, Thank you, Jesus for what You did for us on the cross. You paid for our sins completely! You proved that You are God by rising again from the dead and ascending into heaven where you are right now. We thank you that You loved us so much that you came to forgive us our sins so we can go to heaven and be with you. Help us to believe and trust in you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.”

Memory Verse: Our memory verse is 2 Corinthians 5:17

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has

come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

Lesson Video: https://youtu.be/wg3lBx6uoCg Jesus and His disciples were on their way to Jerusalem and were passing through the city of Jericho. Jesus was in a large crowd of people, many of whom wanted to see Him. They were following Jesus and listening to Him preach. Many wanted to be healed so the road was very crowded.

There was a man in Jericho called Zacchaeus, who was a tax collector. Zacchaeus wasn't just any tax collector; he was the chief tax collector. He was very rich but tax collectors had a bad reputation for gaining money by cheating people.

Most Jews hated tax collectors because they worked for the Romans who occupied their land. The tax collectors often charged much more than they should to make themselves rich. Many people believed that God would never forgive a tax collector.

Zacchaeus had heard about Jesus and he wanted desperately to see him-- but the crowd was in his way. And Zacchaeus was very short. He was so short that he couldn't see over the taller people in his way. And since he was a tax collector no one was going to make room for him! Zacchaeus knew the large crowd might treat him badly if they saw him. So he had an idea! He ran on ahead of the crowd and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when He came by.

When Jesus got to the tree that Zacchaeus had climbed, He stopped and looked up at the tax collector. Then Jesus said, "Zacchaeus hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home."

Zacchaeus was very surprised and delighted. How did Jesus know his name? But Jesus was God and He knows everything! And why would Jesus want to see him--a tax collector? Teachers like Jesus usually avoided tax collectors as they had such a bad reputation. Zacchaeus happily climbed down the tree and led Jesus to his house. He warmly welcomed Jesus into his home.

But the people grumbled, "This man has gone as a guest to the home of a sinner! Zacchaeus is a man who cheats and steals! He isn't good enough for Jesus to come and stay at his house.”

Zacchaeus heard what the people were saying about him. He must have known that they were right. So he stood up and told Jesus, "Listen, I will give half my belongings to the poor and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay back four times as much."

Jesus said to him, "Today a person has been saved in this house. This man is a Jew too. I have come to seek and to save the lost." You see, Jesus loved Zacchaeus even though he had done many wrong things.

Zacchaeus was so grateful that Jesus had forgiven him. He had been saved by his faith in the Lord Jesus-- in spite of his sin and despite the rejection of the people. Zacchaeus was now a changed man and he had received the gift of eternal life!

What do you do when you are expecting company at your house? You clean things up, right? Well, that's just what Zacchaeus did. Only he got cleaned up on the inside first! Zacchaeus learned how great Jesus' love was for him. Even though Zacchaeus had sinned and done wrong things, Jesus still loved and forgave him. Zacchaeus wanted to make things right with Jesus.

https://youtu.be/wg3lBx6uoCg

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He said, "Zacchaeus, today salvation has come to this house! Your life was all wrong but now it is all right. You were lost, but now you have been saved! That is why I came from heaven. I came to find and save the lost! I came to die on the cross to take the punishment for the wrong things you have done!

And you know what? Jesus knows you, too! Jesus knows you by name, just like He knew Zacchaeus. He wants to come and tell you how much He loves you. He wants to tell you the good news of his home in heaven. He wants to be with you no matter what!

That is why when Jesus went to heaven He said that He would send His Spirit to live with each of us--all at the same time! We can't see his Spirit, or hear it, or touch it but He is present with us just the same! Just like Zacchaeus Jesus want to come to live in your house--your heart forever.

Would you like to be changed like Zacchaeus? Jesus can change your life just like He did for Zacchaeus. When we believe in Jesus and ask Him to come into our lives, He changes us into a new person from the inside out. He makes us into a new person and gives us a clean heart. You can ask Him to come and live in life today.

Remember Jesus has come to seek and to save the lost! He wants to forgive us!

Review Questions: “Find Zacchaeus' Coins” Preparation: You will need slips of paper, a basket, and party favor “gold coins.” Procedure: Print review questions on slips of paper and put in basket. Purchase chocolate coins at fine chocolate stores or at novelty candy shops. Or just use gold coins from the party supply section of the discount store. Hide the coins around the room. Remind students that Zacchaeus was a tax collector. Have students find the coins which were previously hidden in the room. For each coin the students find, they can draw a review question from the basket. If the student gets a correct answer then they can keep his/her coin or have a piece of chocolate candy!

1. Where did Zacchaeus live? (Zacchaeus lived in Jericho.) 2. What did Zacchaeus do for a living? (Zacchaeus was a tax collector.) 3. Why did the Jews like tax collectors" (They cheated; they took more money than was

rightfully owed.) 4. What did Zacchaeus do to get a good look at Jesus? (Zacchaeus climbed up a tree.) 5. What did Jesus do when He came to the place where Zacchaeus was up in the tree? (He

looked up, saw him, and said, "I'm going to stay at your house.") 6. How did the people react to Jesus going over to Zacchaeus' house to stay? (They grumbled

because Jesus was being a friend to a man they viewed as a terrible sinner.) 7. How did Zacchaeus show that his salvation was real? (He paid back what he had stolen.) 8. Have you ever been wronged? What happened? What would have made the situation right or

at least better? (Responses will vary.) 9. What are some ways we can make up for our wrong doings? (Apologize to someone; do nice

things for someone we.ve offended; return stolen things.) 10. What might keep someone from feeling like he or she wants to say, "I'm sorry" for a wrong

they've done? (Pride, selfishness, fear, not wanting to admit they've done wrong.) 11. How should you respond when someone doesn't forgive you or want to be your friend? (Talk

to God about our feelings. Ask parents or teachers for advice.) 12. If you have done something wrong to someone recently, how might you make the situation

right again? (Say, "I'm sorry" to the person we have hurt and make it right.) 13. What is the memory verse? (2 Corinthians 5:17 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new

creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!")

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Bible Memory Verse Activity: “Pay Back Time” Game Our memory verse is 2 Corinthians 5:17

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has

come: The old has gone, the new is here!" Have students locate the verse in scripture and read together several times. Say: “This verse means that when we become a Christian the old sinful person we used to be is gone! Jesus has made us into a new person. He looks at us as if we had never sinned!” Repeat the verse again. Guide the children to open their Bibles to Luke 19:1-10. Read aloud the verses and review the Bible story. Preparation: You will need five disposable Styrofoam cups, masking tape and gold coins. Procedure: On each of five disposable cups write the following phrases from the memory verse: (1) Therefore (2) If anyone is in Christ (3) the new creation has come (4) The old has gone and (5) the new is here! Set the five large disposable cups about one foot apart on the floor in a horizontal row. Tape them to the floor so they are not easily knocked over. Approximately 5 feet from the cups make a straight line with the masking tape. Say: "In the lesson today Zacchaeus wanted to pay back the money he had stolen. It was Jesus who helped him realize that what he had done was wrong. Jesus changed Zacchaeus' heart. Let's say 2 Corinthians 5:17 together. (Point out the words on each of the cups.)” Say: “Today we are going to play a coin toss game that represents the money that Zacchaeus must pay back. Each cup represents a phrase from our verse.” Have the children stand behind the masking tape line and take turns tossing coins towards the cups. Before each child takes a turn they must repeat the portion of the verse represented by the cup including the part of the verse that precedes it. A child can pick any cup to toss a coin into but they must repeat the verse up to that point. The object of the game is to get one coin into each of the cups. The cups of money represent the cheated money that Zacchaeus must pay back.

Group Learning Activity: “Re-enact Bible Story of Zacchaeus” (Grades 2-5) Preparation: Bring Bible time costume robes, Bibles, Chair and 4 copies of the Bible story script. Procedure: Choose two or more students to be the crowd, one student to be Zacchaeus and one student to be Jesus. Have the actors put on clothes from the Bible time costumes and have a sturdy chair handy to be the "tree." Hand actors copies of the script and ask them to act out the story as scripted. Lead children in portraying the following scenes:

Zacchaeus being a tax collector and collection excessive amounts of money from the people.

Crowd forming ahead of Jesus and Zacchaeus climbing the tree.

Jesus comes down road and stops at Zacchaeus’ tree.

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Have each child take a turn being Zacchaeus. Emphasize to students that Jesus loved everyone—even the greatest of sinners Zacchaeus! Allow your students to take turns acting out the story, using all “extras” as the town people.

Group Learning Game: "Giving and Sharing" Game (Grades 2-5) Preparation: You will need signs and tape. Say: “When Jesus gave Zacchaeus the gift of eternal life, He changed Zacchaeus' life. Zacchaeus now wanted to be like Jesus. Jesus loved and cared for those who had great needs. In this game children will learn about searching for those who need our help.” Procedure: Make signs to go on each child’s back. Examples of signs: the "hungry" goes with "food;" "thirsty goes with "drink:""sick" goes with "medicine;" "house" goes with "homeless;" "clothing" goes with "cold and without a coat;" etc. Tape a sign on each child's back and have everyone go around the room and ask yes or no questions to figure out what their sign says. Once they know who they are, they need to find their match. When the children are paired up, each pair should sit down together and tell each other something that each person could do to help the other one. Say: “Jesus was loving and caring toward us. He wants us to show love to others. If you have ever sent someone a card to show that you care about them, stand up. (Students stand. Thank children and have them sit down.) If you’ve made a gift for someone you love, raise your hand. (Thank children again.) If you’ve gone to see someone who is sick or needy, clap your hands three times. (Thank those who clapped.) If you’ve smiled at someone who was having a bad day or who was sad, stand up and stomp your feet two times. Thank children.) “I can see that all of you have shown care in the past. Caring for those around us isn’t a nice thing to do; it’s what God asks us to do. It’s what those in God’s kingdom choose to do.”

Group Learning Activity: “Praying for Others” (Grades K-5) Say: “In this lesson we learned that we should care for those around us just like Jesus showed care for Zacchaeus. An important way to care for those around us is to pray for them. There are four things that all of our prayers should include. Let’s talk about each one of these things. Let’s bow our heads and I will lead you in what ways you can pray for others.”

Praise: God has put lots of people in our lives to show care for us. Have students praise God for caring about their need and thanking Him for our parents, teachers, grandparents, etc.

Ask: We sometimes don't see the ways we can care for someone. Lead the students in asking God to open their eyes to who they can care for in their daily lives.

Confess: Sometimes we're selfish and don't want to care about another person. Instead we want them to do something for us. Allow students to ask forgiveness for times of selfishness and ignoring other's needs.

Thank: We can care for other people because God takes such great care of us. Let students consider specific ways they're thankful for God's care and then express that thanks one by one.

Remember that no child should be forced to pray, but do encourage and invite each one to join you. After "Amen" talk quietly about how important it is to pray.

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Group Learning Activity: “Zacchaeus Concentration Game” (Grades K-2) Preparation: Print the picture cards below with two copies for each set of cards. You will need a set of cards for every two students in your class. Procedure: Pass out two copies of each card to students to color identically. Cut the cards apart. Stack cards to make a set. Put the children in teams of two. The partners should pile their cards together picking up two cards at a time to try and find matching pairs. If the pairs match, the child keeps it and chooses another pair. If that pair does not match, then the partner takes a turn. The partners take turns drawing pairs until all the matches have been found. When the children have finished playing the game, ask the children to retell the parts of the story.

Group Learning Activity: Discovering Jericho the "City of Palms" (Grades 3-5) Preparation: You will need a classroom map of Jericho or use maps in the back of Bibles. You will also need newspaper, scissors, and masking tape. Say: "In today's lesson Jesus visited the city of Jericho. This was the hometown of Zacchaeus. This city was formerly the one that God destroyed the walls when Joshua and the children of Israel were entering the Promised Land. It existed long before Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were alive. People still live in Jericho today. Although Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree here to see Jesus, the town is often called the city of palm trees." Procedure: Have students locate Jericho on a Bible map. You can use a classroom map or find the city on the map section at the back of your Bibles. Have students make their own palm trees to remind them of the city of Jericho. Give each student four to six sheets of newspaper. Students begin rolling up sheets of newspaper. When they have rolled one sheet within 2 inches of the end, students put another sheet onto the unrolled part and continue rolling. Students should repeat the process until all the sheets of paper are firmly rolled together. Wrap several times with tape to form the “trunk” of the palm tree. Students should now cut half way down the side of the roll in three different places. Students hold the newspapers at the uncut end and shake gently to separate the newspaper "leaves." Pull out several of the leaves at the center to create the palm tree. Optional: Use green poster paper to wrap for the leaves and the palm tree will look more realistic!

Group Learning Activity: “Tree Mural” (Grades K-2) Preparation: You will need a Bible, 8 foot length of butcher paper, construction paper, or green tissue paper, glue, colored markers, and scissors. Say: “In our Bible story today, Zacchaeus was too short to see Jesus, so he climbed up a tree. Today we are going to make a tree for our classroom to help us remember our lesson.” Procedure: Draw a tree with many branches on the butcher paper. Cut out a face shaped hole above a low branch. Children are to color the tree and draw leaves. If you wish you can have children draw hand print leaves on construction paper and cut them out and glue them to the tree branches.

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Optional: You can have students glue small squares of green tissue to the trunk for leaves. Hold up the mural or tape it to the top of a doorway so children can go the back side of the mural and look through the hole. Zacchaeus had done wrong things but Jesus loved him and forgave him. When we do wrong things, we can ask Jesus to forgive us. When Jesus forgives us, it means we know that Jesus loves us." Reenact story. As one child looks through the hole, have another child say, "Zacchaeus, Come down. I want to stay at your house today." Continue until each child has had a turn.

Group Learning Activity: “Discussion Cards and Game Board” (Grades 3-5) Preparation: Print out a copy of the Situation Cards and the game board below on cardstock. Cut apart the Situation Cards and place in a basket. Say: “In this lesson we see that Jesus showed love to Zacchaeus. He spoke to him and went to his house when others looked down upon him. Today we are going to learn how we can become more like Jesus be obeying His commands. We too need to learn to be kind and share when it not easy.” Procedure: Have students take turns drawing a card and reading the situation aloud. Have students look up the references to find the Biblical principle to help them determine the correct way to respond to others in each situation.

Situation: You broke your sister's jewelry box. She asks you if your little brother did it. What do you do? Exodus 20: 16 “You shall not bear false witness.” You tell the truth and tell her that you are sorry and will try to repay her for the jewelry box.

Situation: Some friends tell you they are going to beat up a kid who is always mean to you. What do you do? Matthew 5:43, 44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Tell your friends not to beat up the kid. Instead pray for the kid and ask God how you can show him kindness.

Situation: You are at a friend's house and your friends wants to watch a TV show that your parents never let you watch. What do you do? Exodus 20: 12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Tell your friends that you would like to watch a different program or you would like to go outside and play. Try to get them to do something else so you do not disobey your parents.

Situation: You are taking a spelling test at school and you get stuck on a word. You can easily see your neighbor's test. What do you do? Titus 3:1 “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,” You should not cheat by looking at someone else’s paper. Ask the teacher for help in learning the spelling word.

Situation: Your dad told you to be home by 5 o'clock but it's your turn to bat and it is two minutes to five. What do you do? Ephesians 6:1 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Obey your dad and head for home!

Situation: Your brother asks for a bite of your candy bar. Your candy bar is almost gone, but you remember that he usually shares with you. What do you do? Matthew 7:12 “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Be kind and share the candy bar with him.

Situation: Your friend asks to borrow your new skateboard to try it out. He wants to go around the block. What do you do? Matthew 5:42 “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” Allow your friend to borrow your new skateboard. You could follow your friend on your bike if you are worried that he might get hurt.

Situation: You would like to keep a good book from the school library. It's the last of school and the librarian hasn't asked you for the book back. What do you do? Exodus 20: 15 “You

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shall not steal.” Take the book back to the library. Go to the public library and see if you can check out the book over the summer.

Situation: Your little brother ruined your game and you are very mad at him. When you try to pray before bed, you feel bad. What do you do? Mark 11:25 “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” You should stop praying and go and tell him that you are sorry for being so mad at him. Ask his forgiveness and then you can pray freely to God.

Situation: All week you have been trying to show Jesus you love Him. Now your mom asks you to dry the dishes, but you would rather watch TV. What do you do? Colossians 3:20 “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” Set the television set on record for your program. Obey your mom and dry the dishes, then you can watch your show later!

Situation: One of your friends often uses bad words when he talks or gets angry. What should you tell him? Colossians 3:8 “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” God does not want your talk with anger and swearing words. Kindly tell him that you do not like to listen to angry talk and swear words. If he does not listen, leave him and go somewhere else.

Situation: “Some of your friends that go to church with you do not like to sing the worship songs at church. They make fun of others who sing praises to God. What should you do? Colossians 3:16 “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” In a kind way explain to them that you like to sing praises to God and you would appreciate it if they would not make fun of people who like to worship God. If they laugh at you, then pray for them and ask God to change their heart.

Game Board Option: Have students take turns drawing situation cards, discussing the correct response. Look up reference. After discussion, let the student who drew the card throw dice. Let them move the number of spaces on the game board that corresponds to the number on the dice. Use pennies or game board pieces as markers. The game board option gives a little more fun and interest to the discussion cards. Craft Learning Activity: “Money Bags” (Grades 3-5) Preparation: You will need Bibles, vinyl fabric or felt, measuring sticks, markers, scissors, hole-puncher, leather lacing, or heavy yarn. Say: Today we are going to make a bag to hold money like Zacchaeus might have used in Bible times."

Procedure: Draw a 12 inch diameter circle on vinyl or felt for each student. Cut lacing or yarn into 1 1/2 yard lengths, two for each student. Make a sample money pouch to show students the final results. Give each student a fabric or felt circle. Students cut out circles and then take turns using measuring sticks, markers, and hole-puncher to mark and make holes around the circle about 1 inch from the edge and 1 inch apart. (You can use a large paper plate with holes punched already as a template for students to mark the holes for punching in their felt or vinyl. Give two lengths of lacing or yarn to each student. Students are to thread one length of lacing through the holes, going up one hole and down the next hole. Then student threads the second length of lacing through the same holes starting from the opposite side. Gather all four ends of

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lacing, making sure they are even and tie in a knot. Hold the circle in one hand and pull on lacing with the other hand. The circle will close to form a pouch. Students can use the money pouches to act out what might have happened after the events of the story of Zacchaeus. Volunteers can play the part of Zacchaeus while others pretend to be people in Jericho that Zacchaeus is returning money to. Zacchaeus can fill each person money pouch with individually wrapped candies or gold coins from the party supplies section of discount store.

Snack Learning Activity: “Zacchaeus’ Dinner” Preparation: You will need fish crackers, yogurt, spoons, baby carrots, paper plates cups, and water. Procedure: Have some children prepare a "dinner" for the class by setting plates, spoons, napkins, and cups of water. Have different students serve crackers, yogurt, and carrots. Others can help clean up. Talk about how important it was that Jesus came to Zacchaeus' house to eat. Say: “What lesson was Jesus teaching the crowd about who is accepted into heaven? When Jesus looked at Zacchaeus' heart, what did He see? (He saw a man who loved Him and wanted to serve Him.)

Craft Learning Activity: “Toilet Paper Roll Zacchaeus and Jesus” (Grades K-2) Preparation: You will need copies of the Zacchaeus template below and a toilet paper cardboard roll for each child. You will also need transparent tape. Procedure: Print out the picture below. Wrap the square piece with the tree trunk around the cardboard tube and tape in the back. Tape the tree leaves with Zacchaeus head poking out to the top of the tree trunk.

Craft Learning Activity: Stick Puppets: Jesus and Zacchaeus (Grades K-2) Preparation: You will need scissors, glue sticks, one craft stick per child, and one paint stirrers or tongue depressors per child. Print the “Jesus and Zacchaeus” template below. Say: “People did not like Zacchaeus because, as a tax collector, he too more money than was required. When Jesus spoke to Zacchaeus and then went to his house, many people did not understand. Jesus wanted Zacchaeus to know that God loved him. We know that god loves everyone and wants everyone to know about His love.” Procedure: Distribute papers and scissors. Have students cut along the outside lines of the Jesus and Zacchaeus figures. Glue the Zacchaeus figure on the smaller craft stick. Glue the Jesus figure on the larger paint stirrer. You can use the masking tape to adhere the puppets to the sticks if desired. Have students use their stick puppets to retell the story of “Jesus and Zacchaeus.” Be sure to emphasize how Zacchaeus learned that God loved him and changed him into a new person who loved others. Review the memory verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation

has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

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Life Application Challenge: “Love for Others” Say: “In this lesson Jesus showed love and care for someone that everyone else disliked. He showed love to Zacchaeus. Can you think of someone that you know that is lonely and hurting?” Encourage them to pray for that person every day for five days this week. Children should be encouraged to look around them to see the needs of their neighbors and friends. Is someone sick? Make a get well card or some chicken soup. Is someone sad? Write him a letter, draw him a picture, or visit. Does someone in your family need help? Clear the table, walk the dog, or maybe offer to do an extra chore. By the end of the week children should be able to share with their parents what they have done to show care to others.

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Concentration Game Cards Print two copies on cardstock for each set of cards.

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Situation

You broke your sister's jewelry box. She asks you if your little brother did it. What do you do?

Exodus 20: 16

Situation

Some friends tell you they are going to beat up a kid who is always mean to you. What do you do?

Matthew 5:43, 44

Situation

You are at a friend's house and your friends wants to watch a TV show that your parents never let you watch. What do you do?

Exodus 20: 12

Situation

You are taking a spelling test at school and you get stuck on a word. You can easily see your neighbor's test. What do you do?

Titus 3:1

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Situation

Your dad told you to be home by 5 o'clock but it's your turn to bat and it is two minutes to five. What do you do?

Ephesians 6:1

Situation

Your brother asks for a bite of your candy bar. Your candy bar is almost gone, but you remember that he usually shares with you. What do you do?

Matthew 7:12

Situation

Your friend asks to borrow your new skateboard to try it out. He wants to go around the block. What do you do?

Matthew 5:42

Situation

You would like to keep a good book from the school library. It's the last of school and the librarian hasn't asked you for the book back. What do you do?

Exodus 20: 15

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Situation

Your little brother ruined your game and you are very mad at him. When you try to pray before bed, you feel bad. What do you do?

Mark 11:25

Situation

All week you have been trying to show Jesus you love Him. Now your mom asks you to dry the dishes, but you would rather watch TV. What do you do?

Colossians 3:20

Situation

One of your friends often uses bad words when he talks or gets angry. What should you tell him?

Colossians 3:8

Situation

Some of your friends that go to church with you do not like to sing the worship songs at church. They make fun of others who sing praises to God. What should you do? Colossians 3:16

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Zacchaeus Story Script Actors: Zacchaeus, Jesus, Crowd Materials Needed: Bibles, Bible Time Dress Up Box; Chair and 4 copies of the Bible story script Crowd Member 1: Wow! The streets of Jericho sure are busy today. I guess everyone wants to see Jesus. Crowd Member 2: Yeah. I sure do! (speak in a mean voice) Oh, look There's Zacchaeus. I thought he'd be at home counting his money. Or should I say, our money. Crowd Member 1: I'm surprised that tax collector shows his face in public. No one likes him. Zacchaeus: (jumps up and down like he's trying to see over people's heads) I can't see over all these people. Crowd Member 2: Ha! He's so short, he can't see over the crowd! Crowd Member 1: Look-- Jesus is coming! (Jesus starts walking down the "road.") (Zacchaeus runs and jumps on the chair behind the two crowd members.) (Crowd Members cheer as Jesus comes closer to them.) (Jesus stops in front of the crowd members.) Crowd Member 2: (excited) I think Jesus is going to talk to us! We are so special. Crowd Member 1: This is the best day of my life. I hope he likes my new robe. Jesus: Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus: Jesus knows my name? Jesus: Come down from that tree. I want to come to your house today. Crowd Member 2: Did Jesus just say what I thought he said? Doesn't he know that Zacchaeus is a cheater? Crowd Member 1: I can't believe it. Jesus just looked right over us to that tax collector, that---sinner, and said he wanted to go to his house. Zacchaeus: Jesus wants to come to my house? He actually cares about me? Praise the Lord! Someone cares! Jesus cares! He wants to come to my house! (jumps down from the chair and runs to kneel in front of Jesus) Lord! Here and now I give half of everything I own to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount! Jesus: Today, you are saved, my friend, because (turns toward the crowd members) this man too is one of God's people. I have not come to spend time with people who think they have it all together. I have come to find and care for those who are hungry and lost and unloved.

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Zacchaeus Meets Jesus

2 Corinthians 5:17

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

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Stick Puppets

unit 2: ministry of christ nt2.13 zacchaeus meets jesus ... · jesus and his disciples were on...

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