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Zacchaeus

Teacher's Guide - this is just one possible lesson plan.  Visit the Zacchaeus Bible Lesson Plan Section for further ideas to supplement this.

Introduction:

This lesson will tell the story of Zacchaeus.  He desperately wanted to see Jesus and didn't care that he had to climb a tree to do it.  He immediately repented and decided to put his faith into action right away.  He changed like we all should be doing constantly and putting our faith in action to represent our faith and belief in God.  God will help change our hearts over time, it doesn't always happen right away but we need to be ready to work at it with him.

The message:  

Preschool thru Grade 1: Zacchaeus found Jesus, said he was sorry and changed his ways.
  
Grades 2 and 3:  Zacchaeus found Jesus, repented and put his faith into action.

I've split this message into two separate ones depending on the age level.  For the younger children, the message is simple.  Zacchaeus found Jesus, said he was sorry and changed the way he acted.  His heart changed and he wanted to become more Christlike.  For the older children, we expand on this message and say that Zacchaeus repented and put his faith into action. 

Make sure you repeat the message many times during the lesson.  Send the Zacchaeus Take Home Sheet  home with the children to encourage parents to reiterate the message during the week.  It includes a poster at the bottom that the children can color and hang on their wall or refrigerator. 

Preview of the lesson:

Some people like to do craft time first and story time second and some like to switch it around.  I like the first option, myself.

Always consider offering  Coloring Pages or the Tree Coloring Pages for children who aren't interested in participating in the group activity (or if you get done the group activities very quickly and need something to fill in the spare time).  Everyone has a need for "alone time" once in awhile.  Also, sending home the coloring pages with the Take Home sheet provides parents with much needed help in reinforcing the lessons.  You can make a nice little booklet each week with the take home sheet on top -- I promise that most parents will appreciate the effort! 

Description

Time Allotted

Supplies
Welcome!  

Receive name tags.  Have the children use crayons, markers, yarn, feathers and whatever other materials (such as sparkle glue) that you have available to personalize their name tag. 

Sing the Learning our Names song

 10 to 15 minutes Piggy Bank name tags, scissors (or adults can precut),  crayons, markers, yarn, safety pins or tape.

Craft time!

Preschool thru Grade 1: Make the Tree Paper Craft.  Allow the children to draw Zacchaeus in the tree and Jesus beside it if they want.

Grade 2 and 3:  Make the Piggy Bank Craft.  Write Luke 19:8 or the side or have it printed on a piece of paper to glue on.  Or they could write the verse out on this pretend bank check  and put it into their piggy bank.  If you're not interested in making the Piggy bank the tree craft above has an option for older kids.

 

 

 15 to 30 minutes 
depending on your
adult/child ratio		 Preschool thru Grade 1: Tree craft template.  printer, paper, scissors, glue, something to color with.

Grade 2 and 3: Piggy Bank template. empty rectangle kleenex box, 2 toilet paper rolls or corks, pink construction paper, cotton ball, paper, printer, something to color with, scissors, glue.

Bible Story/Song Time:

All Grades: Sing the Bible ABC's Song or the other Zacchaeus Song to learn more about Zacchaeus.

Preschool thru Grade 1:  Read The Story of Zacchaeus (or read from your own store bought children's bible).   

Grades 2 and 3:  It's tough to know when it's the right time to start readings from the Bible, but if the children have been read a children's version of the story in the past, I believe this is a good age to introduce the King James (or your preferred) bible reading. 

 10 minutes The Coloring Pages can be distributed to the children so they are able to color at home, or during the story.  

 

Closing:

Preschool thru Grade 1: depending on the time remaining ask the children what a Christian/believer is?  How can they be more like Jesus everyday?  When we are a new believer do we stay the same or change?  What are some ways that we change?

Grade 2 and 3:  depending on the time remaining allow the children to discuss what it means to be a Christian.  Do other's know we believe in Christ by the way we act?  How should we be different?  What are ways we can show others what Christ is like?  How can we put our faith in action?  Believing in Christ isn't just going to church and reading the Bible but living it out everyday.

Snack: Buy some chocolate coins to remind them that Zacchaeus paid back all the money he owed plus extra.

Standard ending song:  for example

We love to learn together, 
together, together
We love to learn together
And give thanks to God.

substitute "learn" for sing, pray, etc

(to the tune of The More We Get Together)

 5 to 15 minutes

 

Our mini books or Coloring Pages can be distributed to the children so they are able to read along.  Print the pages, staple them together in order and let the kids know when to turn the page.  The handouts can be taken home to color in.

 

 

 

 

Words to:

standard ending song