'JESUS LOVES ZACCHAEUSBffiLE BASIS

Luke 19:1-10

LESSON AIM

That the child wil1learn that Jesus loves him even when he does wrong.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

Zacchaeus was a Jew who lived in Jericho. From Scripture we learn that he was a wealthy tax collector. Infact, he was the chief tax collector, and therefore, he derived his income from the excess revenue he and othertax collectors took from the Jewish people. Rome demanded a certain amount for taxes from the provinces; anythingcollected over that sum could be kept by the tax collector. Because the Jewish people hated being under Romandomination, they viewed anyone who worked for Rome or cooperated with the Roman government to oppressthe Jewish people as a traitor. Zacchaeus, then, was disliked, dishonest and displeasing to God. With all of thesethings against him, Jesus looked up at him in the tree and loved him (Luke 19:5). Does this not tell us that nomatter who we are, what we have done or how others feel about us, Jesus loves us, too? His love and forgivenesstransformed Zacchaeus. "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost" (Matthew 18:11).

GREETING

Using the tree pattern for the alternate craft, make "Zacchaeus in a Tree" and glue the trunk onto a popsiclestick. Conversation: "There's a man hiding in this tree! Can you find him? His name is Zacchaeus. Zacchaeusdid some bad things, but Jesus sti11loved him."

CENTER TIME1. "Where is Zacchaeus?" Mural

The purpose of this activity is tofamiliarize the child with the story of Zacchaeus even though he was bad.Glue to butcher paper: construction paper people (taller than Zacchaeus), a construction paper tree with three

small clusters of leaves glued together on only one edge so Zacchaeus can:hide in them, a construction paperhouse with a table for dinner that Zacchaeus can slip behind, a construction paper Zacchaeus. (You may wantto Scotch tape the pieces instead of gluing them so you can create more pockets to hide Zacchaeus).

Ask each child to close his eyes while you hide Zacchaeus behind the people, in the tree or at the table in his house.Conversation .for:

(a) Behind the people - " (Child's name) , can you fmd Zacchaeus?Zacchaeus had donesome bad things. He wants to see Jesus, but everyone is bigger. He can't see overthem. Jesus loves Zacchaeus even though Zacchaeus did bad things. Can you putZacchaeus up in the tree so he can see?"

(b) In the tree -"Can you find Zacchaeus? Zacchaeus had done some bad things. He~ouldn't see over the people, so he climbed the tree to see Jesus. Jesus loved Zac­chaeus even though Zacchaeus did bad things. Jesus told Zacchaeus to come downout of the tree. Jesus wanted to go to his house with him. Can you put Zacchaeusin the house so he can talk to Jesus?"

(c) At the table in the house - " (Child's name) , can you find Zacchaeus? Zacchaeushad done some bad things. Jesus asked Zacchaeus to come down out of the tree. Jesuswanted'to go to Zacchaeus' house. Can you put Zacchaeus behind the people?"

2. "I'm going to your bouse today"Draw a picture path through three sheets of construction paper on which the three main points of the story

of Zacchaeus have been drawn. The picture path can be created on a table which has been covered with butcherpaper. Cut out a small Zacchaeus and a Jesus from construction paper (see craft patterns).

Let one child move Zacchaeus and one child move Jesus. The others can watch and sing along until their turn.Begin to sing:

1. "Zacchaeus was awee little man, a wee little man was he." (Let the child skip Zacchaeus to the first picture.)Stop singing and explain that Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus but everyone was too tall, so he walked on.

2. "He climbed up in the sycamore tree to see what he could see." (Let the child climb Zacchaeus up into thetree). Stop singing and explain that Zacchaeus is waiting for Jesus to pass by. "Where's Jesus?"

3. Guide the child that is moving Jesus to walk Jesus down the path past the crowd of people to the tree as yousing, "And when the Lord came passing by He looked up in the tree," (guide the child to make Jesus lookup) "and He said, 'Zacchaeus, you come down out of that tree! For I'm going to your house today, I'm goingto your house today.''' (Guide both children to walk Jesus and Zacchaeus to Zacchaeus' house.)

"'Older children may be able to learn the song of Zacchaeus without the picture path. See music section for handmotions.

3. "Would Jesus still love you?"The purpose of this activity is to teach the child that Jesus loves him even when he's done bad things. (We should

never tell a child he is bad, rather that he has done bad things.)Tape different colored strips of construction paper onto a poster board to use as pouches.

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Put picture cards (see picture card patterns) into a shoe box that has a top on it. You may want to cut a holeout of the top big enough for the child's hand to slip through and get a card .

. Examples for picture cards: 1. a glass, spilled milk and a sad face (accident that causes sadness); 2. fighting.over a toy (sad faces); 3. a bed and a mad face (not going to bed, disobedience).

Conversation:"What has happened in this picture? He spilled his milk. Sometimes Mommy gets upset when we spill our

milk. Jesus still loves you when you spill your milk. Can you put the card in the yellow pocket?"You may want to use pictures from "Feelings and Actions" category in the picture box to show the children.Remember your main focus is Jesus' love for the children rather than each story. The Bible story is intended

to help the teacher remember the aim.

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3'\.C5.J FOR CHILDREN 24 MONTHS OLD AND UNDERThe aim of this activity is to teach the child that Jesus loved Zacchaeus, and He loves the child, too.

1. He Loves You, TooMake a tree out of brown and green construction paper or butcher paper.

Tree should be two or three feet tall. Tape the tree to the wall, not too high forthe child to reach. Tape 6 or 7 leaves to the tree so that they form flaps. Haveseveral small Zacchaeuses cut out. Let the children tape their Zacchaeuses upin the tree under a leaf. Conversation: " (Child's name) , this is Zacchaeus.Zacchaeus climbed way up in a tree so he could see Jesus. Can you put Zac­chaeus in the tree? Jesus loved Zacchaeus so much, and He loves you, too."

*Note: This mural can be used to tell the story. Refer to center #1 underolder children for additional pieces you may need.

-2. "Where is Zacchaeus?" MuralYounger children will be able to do this center if they are only asked to place Zacchaeus in one

of the three spots. Be sure to remind them that Jesus loved Zacchaeus, and Jesus loves them, too.

3. Mirror GamePlace a mirror under a plastic dishpan or bucket. Holding the mirror in one hand and the bucket

in the other, get the child's attention by lifting the bucket on and off the mirror as you ask the child,"Where is (child's name) ?Here he is!" (Hold mirror up before child so he can see his face.) "Jesusloves (child's name) ." The bucket is used to keep the child's attention. Continue to playas long

as the child is interested.

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0\S'-\S FOR CHILDREN 24 MONTHS OLD AND UNDER (coot'd.)

4. Loving BabydollsWrap a doll in a blanket and set the doll in a small chair near the home center. Love and hug the

doll as a child comes near you. Conversation: "I love this baby. Can you love the baby?" (Place thedoll in the child's arms. Guide the child to sit down if he wilL)" (Child's name) loves the baby. Doyouknow Jesus loves you?"

*NOTE: Youmay interest the child more if you put something special on the chair such as a bowor a drape of some kind. The child will be more attentive if he is sitting down.

SWRY TIME

1. Supplies NeededBible; the wall muraUor center #1; a construction paper Zacchaeus and Jesus used in center #2.

2. Preparation for StoryEase the children to your story circle by singing your transition song. Once the children are seated, sing "Where

is ", act out monthly rhyme and monthly Bible verse and begin story with prayer. "Jesus, thankyou for loving me, even when 1 do bad things. Amen."

*NafE: You may want to move your story circle to face the wall mural. Children like to move around theroom for story from time to time.

*BIBLE LEADER - Have one child come up and read (repeat after you while he is holding the open Bible),"Jesus said, 'Come down. 1 want to go to your house.'''

3. Outline for StoryCover the main points of the story as you walk Zacchaeus and Jesus through the mural at the appropriate time.

• "Zacchaeuswanted to see Jesus." (Walk Zacchaeus to the people.)

• "He was so little. He tried so hard to see:' (put Zacchaeus behind people) "but he couldn't see over the big people."• "Someone said, 'Jesus, is coming, Jesus is coming!'"• "Zacchaeus wanted to see what Jesus looked like, so he ran down the street" (run Zacchaeus down to the tree

and put him in it) "and climbed a syCamore tree."• "Then Zacchaeus saw Jesus coming." (Walk Jesus down the street to the tree.)• "Jesus knew right where Zacchaeus was. He looked up at Zacchaeus and said, 'Zacchaeus, hurry and come

down out of that tree. I want to come to your house.''' (Bring Zacchaeus out of the tree.)• '.'Zacchaeus and Jesus went to Zacchaeus' house." (Tape them at the table.) "Zacchaeus had done some bad,

bad things. But Jesus still wanted to come to Zacchaeus' house. Jesus loved Zacchaeus even when Zacchaeusdid bad things ."

4. Life ApplicationsUse pictures of children hitting other children or not sharing, or make up a story of your own about a picture.

You will find the pictures in the box under "Feelings and Actions" and "Children Interacting with Children".Refer to each picture and then remind the children that Jesus still loves them when they do bad things .

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You may tell the story of Zacchaeus using your mural from center #1. Also, you may use two largedolls, such as Raggedy Anns, and have them hit one another or fight over a toy. Conversation: "Rag­gedy Ann has hurt her friend. Now, her friend is sad. That is not a good thing for Raggedy Ann todo. Do you hit sometimes? Jesus still loves you when you do bad things." (Let Raggedy Ann hug her

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j~--'~:;FOR CHILDREN 24 MONTHS OLD AND UNDER (cont'd.)

friend.) "Now Raggedy Ann is being kind to her friend. That's a good thing for us to do."Also, you may want to use a mirror and let each child look at himself as you remind him that Jesus

loves him.You can put a "special" chair up front and guide a child to sit there. Begin to call attention to all

the parts of his body reminding him that Jesus loves him. Several children may want to participate.Children this age love sounds. Use a plastic tub turned upside down. Knock three times on the

tub as you say, "Knock, knock, who's there? Is (child's name) there?" (Knock three more times.)"Where is (same name) ?There she is. Jesus loves (same name) ." Put tub lightly on child'shead. This can be done for each child in the group. This activity will keep their attention and at thesame time reinforce the Bible truth that Jesus loves them. It will also help the children learn the namesof the other children.

MUSIC TIME

• Sing "Jesus Loves Me" as the children enter the room .• Youwill Want to teach the "Zacchaeus" and the hand signals to the children today if they do not already know

it. It may take three or four song times.

Zacchaeus was a wee little man,a wee little man was he.

(hold thumb and index finger close together)He climbed up in the sycamore tree,

(make climbing motions with arms and hands)For the Lord he wanted to see.

(shade eyes with hand)And when the Lord came passing by,

(walk with fingers)He looked up in the tree.

(look up and shade eyes with hand)And He said, "Zacchaeus, you come down,

(shake finger at Zacchaeus)For I'm going to your house today,For I'm going to your house today."

• You may also let three or four children sing "Jesus Loves Me" by themselves. Let one child hold a pictureof Jesus and the children. Another child could hold the Bible. Point to the picture and the Bible as you cometo those words in the song.

For example: "Jesus loves me this I know"(point to the picture of Jesus and the children)

Also, you may add a second verse to "Jesus Loves Me".Jesus loves me when I'm good.When I do the things I should.Jesus loves me when I'm bad,Even though it makes Him sad.

• End your Music Time by singing "When I Pray".

CRAFT TIME

1. Before Sunday cut out leaves, tree trunks and Zacchaeus. Also, make a 4" or 5" slit on the left side of thebackground paper. (See craft sample.) Then attach Zacchaeus at the bottom of the slit using a brad.

2. Have the child glue the tree trunk, then leaves, onto the background. As you demonstrate how Zacchaeus"climbs" the tree, say, "Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. He climbed up in a tree. Zacchaeus had done badthings. Jesus still loved Zacchaeus. Jesus loves you."

FOR CIDLDREN 24 MONTHS OLD AND UNDER

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1. Before Sunday cut out tree trunks, clusters of leaves and smiley faces. Glue the tree trunk and clustersonto the background. (Be sure to glue only the edge of one cluster so you will have a flap to hideZacchaeus behind.)

2. Have the child glue Zacchaeus under the cluster of leaves. Say, "Jesus lovedZacchaeus. Jesus lovesyou."

NUfE TO PARENTS

The following points might be included in your note to parents:1. Advise them of the story and activities taught that day.2. Be sure to tell the parents that the application of Zacchaeus is that: Jesus loves their child even when he has

done things he shouldn't, such as spilling his milk, breaking something, not obeying. Mothers need to be remindedthat they should not tell their child that he has been a bad child, but that he has done bad things. Parentsneed to be reminded that they need not make their child feel guilt when he has been disciplined. A lovingreminder when punishment has been dealt that Jesus always loves them is the best reinforcement of this lesson.

3. You might include a copy of the Zacchaeus song and hand motions so parent and child can sing it together,always ending the song by saying, "Zacchaeus had done some bad things, but Jesus still loved Zacchaeus.

Jesus loves you, (child's name) "

Tape Zacchaeus to yam and tapeother end of yam to base of tree~

You dot face so children can ~draw over dots. ~

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EXPANDED SESSIONJESUS LOVES ZACCHAEUS •

Supplement

BmLE BASISLuke 19:1-10

LESSON AIMThat the child will learn that no matter who he is or what others may think about him, Jesus loves him.

CENTER TIME

1. Scotch Thpe Zacchaeus MuralThis center will need almost all children. The others can help you put up paper and yam. One child can do

a sunshine.Greet each child at the door with a # which you will give him (# according to how many tables you have)

and a roll of scotch tape. Place two or three sheets of blue or white butcher paper lengthwise (up & down) andside by side on the wall because your tree will be tall. Have 2 tables or 3. Number your tables. The # given shouldencourage the child to take a seat. Give him some scotch tape and show him what to do. The teacher at eachtable will need to help the children some, but they need to be encouraged to do it alone. You will already havethe following pieces cut out (see picture) and ready to be taped together.

Thble #1White butcher paper Jesus. Four parts -let child

tape together as you guide him (limit his tape).Cane - cut out and let child put together (3 parts)and color.

Thble #22 people - have heads, body, arms and feet. Let

2 children tape body parts together. The faces canbe drawn on. Youwill want to do them different col­ors from white Jesus.

Zacchaeus - same as people. Refer to picture.

Thble #3One tree (5 groups of leaves) - 3 leaves taped together, trunk - 3 sections and sunshine two halves.

*NOTE: Ask each child to sign his name on his part he made.When you tape the parts onto the butcher paper, you will need to tape the arms down also.You will probably be too busy helping the children, but if not ask them if they know who Zacchaeus is? And

where he went to see Jesus and why? ..After you complete the mural on the wall, encourage applause from the children. Gather them all around

and let the children sing "Zacchaeus" while you move Zacchaeus: .

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1. behind the people2. up into the tree (tape him lengthwise from head to bottom onto the yam)3. down to Jesus .

You may do this several times.Let your children show mural and sing Zacchaeus at music.

STORY TIME

1. Supplies NeededBible; Read Aloud Bible Stories; "Zacchaeus" Wall Mural.

2. Preparation for StoryEase the children to your story circle by singing your transition song. Once the children are seated, sing' 'Where

is ", act out monthly rhyme and monthly Bible verse and begin story with prayer. "Jesus, thankyou for loving me even when I do bad things. Amen."

*BIBLE LEADER - Have one child read Luke 19:5, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I mustcome to your house."

3. Outline for StoryYou may want to read first from the Bible. You can stop after some verses and elaborate. This story may

be read from the book Read Aloud Bible Stories. Always read first from the Bible.

• Verse 1- Use Jesus' name instead of He. Stop and explain some terms, such as Jericho (a place where people live).• Verse 2 - tax collector - people had to pay him money, and Zacchaeus did a bad thing. Sometimes he took too

much money. No one liked Zacchaeus.• Verse 8 -Jesus never had to say, "Zacchaeus, you did bad things."• Zacchaeus already knew he did bad things. Zacchaeus said, "Sorry."• But Jesus went home with Zacchaeus that day and told him that He loved him very much even though he had

done a bad thing.• Jesus loves you when you do wrong, but Jesus wants us to be sorry. What did Zacchaeus tell Jesus? He told

Jesus he was sorry.• Jesus wants you to feel sad in your heart when you do wrong so you will live the way the Bible tells you to live.• When Zacchaeus was bad, he was sad. But when Zacchaeus jumped out of the tree, he quickly told Jesus, "Sorry."

He did not want to be bad anymore.*Maybe some will close in prayer by thanking Jesus for loving us when we are bad. "Help me to be the boy/girlyou want me to be."