The Story of Zacchaeus

THE STORY OF ZACCHAEUS

MINISTRY EXPERIENCE TOOL GOD IS MERCY WEEK 3: The Story of Zacchaeus

OVERVIEW Memory Verse: Psalm 40:11 (ESV) “As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!” Preschool Memorizes “As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me;”

Nail: God cares about me even when I don’t deserve it.

Week 1: The Story of Rahab Scripture Story: Joshua 2-6

Week 2: The Story of Samson Scripture Story: Judges 13-16

Week 3: The Story of Zacchaeus Scripture Story: Luke 19:1-10

Week 4: The Story of the Sinful Woman Scripture Story: Luke 7:36-50

HOW THIS CHANGES ME: I can care about other people even when they don’t deserve it.

Mercy Tools Don’t judge: In a court of law, judges can judge fairly because they hear both sides of the story. When we choose not to judge someone we say “I don’t know the other side of story and therefore I shouldn’t say which is guilty.” Walk in their shoes: When you choose not to judge, you can choose to put yourself in their shoes. That means you can say “if I could live their life for just one day, I may understand why they act the way they do.” Don’t focus on it: Many times, when someone does something wrong, we spend all our time thinking about it. When we are merciful with someone, we don’t focus on someone else’s sin. Care for them: Just like God cares for us even in our sin, we can care for other people even when they sin. We should not be the ones deciding what they deserve. That’s God’s job and He does it very well. However, caring for someone doesn’t mean putting yourself in danger. Some people can hurt you and you should stay away from them. The best way to care for someone is to pray for them. When we choose not to judge, we choose to walk in someone else’s shoes and to draw our focus away from someone else’s sin so that we can pray for them with a pure heart. Mercy Tool Motions Don’t judge: Make a fist with your right hand pounding the palm of your left hand while shaking your head “no”. Walk in their shoes: Walk in place moving both arms and legs. Don’t focus on it: Using your right hand to make a circle, bring your hand up to your right eye. Care for them: Using both hands, make the action of prayer.

PRESCHOOL Stretch Time Help children quietly release some energy and relax with some warm up stretches.

Upfront Game Name: Roll the Action Cube Supplies: An extra large sized cube with different actions on each side (examples of actions are jumping, hopping, spinning in a circle, marching in place, reaching up to the sky, clapping hands, pretending to drive a car, etc…) Instructions: Start with all children standing. Explain that you will roll the die and whatever action comes up the class will do until a new action is rolled. Remind children that they are to stay on their story rugs while doing the actions. Memory Verse Psalm 40:11a (ESV) “As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me;”

Taught with motions found in the preschool take-home. Transition to Animation “Now children, we are going to watch a video that tells us today’s story with pictures.” Animation 2- 2 ½ minute art-based video, with Scripture monologue Story Hits

Scripture: The Story of Zacchaeus, Luke 19:1-10 • Jesus entered Jericho. The streets were crowded with people wanting to see Jesus. • A chief tax collector named Zacchaeus sought to see Jesus as he passed by, but he was a short man and could not see over the people. • Zacchaeus ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree. • Jesus stopped at the tree, looked up, and told Zacchaeus he was going to his house. • The Pharisees were upset that Jesus would eat with a sinner like Zacchaeus. • Zacchaeus repented of his sinful life. He said he would give money to the poor and pay back anyone he cheated. He would even give back more than he took. • Jesus declared that salvation had come to Zacchaeus. • Jesus taught that He came to seek and save the lost. Jesus had mercy on Zacchaeus.

Application Because Jesus is God, when He walked on Earth He showed exactly what God is like. No one liked Zacchaeus. That didn’t matter to Jesus. He knew that Zacchaeus had chosen to break His rules, yet Jesus chose to show him mercy. The Bible tells us that everyone has sinned and broken God’s rules. God feels badly because He knows when we sin it will hurt us. God shows you mercy because He wants to show you mercy. Because God is merciful to us, He wants us to show mercy to others. That’s a great feeling, isn’t it? He wants us to be merciful with other people – even the people that are difficult and mean. God shows mercy to all…and we can too. Worship

Memory Verse Review Supplies: Preschool devo take-home Psalm 40:11a (ESV) “As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me;”

Instructions: 1. Ask, “Do you know this is a verse found in the Bible?” 2. Can you say “Psalm”? This verse is found in Psalm 40:11a. 3. Now we will practice our memory verse with motions five times. Find motions to memory verse in take-home devo for preschool.

Let’s Pretend Let’s pretend we are Zacchaeus climbing a tree to see Jesus.

Small Group Supplies: Happy/ sad face cards 100% RESPONSE TOOL: Today’s 100% Response Tool is called Happy Face/Sad Face. During some of the questions listed below, children will be asked to share their response by showing either a sad face card or a happy face card. 1. What are the names of the two parts of the Bible? (The New Testament and the Old Testament) Where is today’s story found in the Bible? (New Testament) 2. 100% RESPONSE TOOL: How did the people feel about Zacchaeus? (Sad) 3. 100% RESPONSE TOOL: How did the people feel about Jesus coming to town? (Happy) 4. 100% RESPONSE TOOL: How did Zacchaeus feel about not being able to see over the crowds? (Sad) 5. 100% RESPONSE TOOL: How did Zacchaeus feel when Jesus looked up at him in the tree and told him that he was going to go to Zacchaeus’ house? (Happy) 6. 100% RESPONSE TOOL: How did Zacchaeus feel about his sin? (Sad) 7. 100% RESPONSE TOOL: How did Zacchaeus feel when Jesus showed him mercy and forgiveness? (Happy) 8. 100% RESPONSE TOOL: How did Jesus feel about Zacchaeus? (Happy) 9. Leader: Share a story of when you had to be merciful to someone who wasn’t popular or didn’t have a lot friends. 10. We are going to pray, but before we do, let’s close our eyes and think about someone who we need to be merciful to. Maybe that person is like Zacchaeus and doesn’t have a lot of friends. Or maybe it is someone who has been mean to us. Should we put ourselves in danger to show someone mercy? (No.) How can we be full of mercy and care for others like God does for us? (We can pray for them. Ask children to think of that person and pray for them quietly in their heart as you lead them in the Special Prayer Time.) Special Prayer Time Let’s spend time doing what our memory verse says to do and ask God to be merciful with us and to give us the power to be merciful with others.

Word Enrichment Supplies: Inflated balloons, one balloon that says “Jesus”, music Introduction: Tell the children that we are going to try to keep all the balloons in the air. When the music stops, they should grab a balloon and listen. Instructions: Start the music and let the children try to keep the balloons off the floor. After a few minutes, stop the music. Kids should stand still and hold their balloon. “Who has the balloon that says “Jesus”? “Insert child’s name, Jesus knows your name.” Repeat several times. Wrap Up: Jesus is amazing; He is full of mercy and love. He knows each one of us. He knows all the good and all the bad choices we make. He wants to show us mercy and for us to show mercy to others too.

Activity Jesus Knows My Name Supplies: Measuring tape, markers, painters tape, long mural sized paper titled “Jesus Knows My Name” taped to wall Instructions: 1. Gather children at one end of the area. Explain to them that they will take turns being measured against the “Jesus Knows My Name” paper on the wall. 2. After each child is measured, the child or a leader should write the child’s name next to their height. Wrap Up: We have learned the truth all month that God is mercy. Jesus showed mercy to Zacchaeus and his whole life was changed. Jesus knows your name and He loves you. He longs to show you mercy and loves when He sees you showing mercy and kindness to others. .

GRADE SCHOOL

Story Hits Scripture: The Story of Zacchaeus, Luke 19:1-10 • Jesus entered Jericho, and was surrounded by a large crowd. • A chief tax collector named Zacchaeus sought to see Jesus as he passed by. • Zacchaeus ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree. • Jesus stopped and told Zacchaeus he was going to his house. • Zacchaeus received Jesus joyfully. • The Pharisees were upset that Jesus would eat with a sinner. • Zacchaeus repented of his sinful life. • Jesus declared that salvation had come to Zacchaeus. • Jesus taught that He came to seek and save the lost.

Memory Verse Review Disappearing Words Supplies: Dry erase markers, whiteboard or window, eraser Psalm 40:11(ESV) “As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!” Instructions: Write the verse on a whiteboard or window. Say the verse together as a group. Erase several key words leaving the first letter. Repeat saying the verse. Repeat both steps until all of the words are erased.

Small Group for Younger 100% RESPONSE TOOL: Today’s 100% Response Tool is called Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down. During some of the questions listed below, children will be asked to share their response by using their thumbs. Thumbs sideways communicates “I don’t know” which is a correct answer. 1. What are the names of the two parts of the Bible? (The New Testament and the Old Testament) Where is today’s story found in the Bible? (New Testament) 2. 100% RESPONSE TOOL: Using your thumb, did people like Zacchaeus? (Down) 3. 100% RESPONSE TOOL: Using your thumb, was Zacchaeus popular? (Down) 4. 100% RESPONSE TOOL: Using your thumb, did people like Jesus? (It varied, but in this story it would be a thumbs up.) 5. 100% RESPONSE TOOL: Using your thumb, is Jesus God? (Up) 6. 100% RESPONSE TOOL: Using your thumb, did Jesus have mercy on Zacchaeus? (Up. So we know God had mercy on Zacchaeus, right?) 7. 100% RESPONSE TOOL: Does God want us to only have mercy for someone who has a lot of friends or is popular? (Down) 8. Leader: Share a story of when you had to be merciful to someone who wasn’t very nice or didn’t have a lot friends. 9. We are going to pray, but before we do, let’s close our eyes and think about someone who we need to be merciful to. Maybe that person is like Zacchaeus and doesn’t have a lot of friends. Or maybe it is someone who has been mean to us. Should we put ourselves in danger to show someone mercy? (No.) How can we be full of mercy and care for others like God does for us? (We can pray for them. Ask children to think of that person and pray for them quietly in their heart as you lead them in the Special Prayer Time.)

Activity Mercy Tree Bookmark Supplies: Mercy tree bookmark, scrap paper, glue sticks Instructions: 1. Explain to children that we all need to receive mercy for something and to give mercy for something. Choose one color of scrap paper to represent all the times you need mercy. 2. Choose other colors to represent all the times you need to show mercy. 3. Glue all your scrap paper to your bookmark to make a “Mercy tree”. Wrap Up: It’s easy to focus on what someone else did wrong or said to hurt us. It is hard to choose to be merciful and to not focus on what they did. But even the people who are hard to be merciful towards need mercy from us. That’s what Jesus did and that’s what He wants us to do too. Let this bookmark remind us that we need mercy from God and we need to show mercy towards others. Small Group for older Supplies: Slips of paper (enough for each child), bucket 100% RESPONSE TOOL: Today’s 100% Response Tool is called Share It. During some of the questions listed below, children will be asked to share their response by writing their answer on the paper and dropping it into the bucket. 1. 100% RESPONSE TOOL: What was Zacchaeus’ job? (Tax Collector) 2. 100% RESPONSE TOOL: How did people feel about him? (They didn’t like him.) 3. 100% RESPONSE TOOL: How did that affect the way Jesus treated him? (It didn’t keep Jesus away from him. Jesus never cared what the people thought about when He cared for people like Zacchaeus.) 4. 100% RESPONSE TOOL: Why didn’t people like Zacchaeus? (It was his job to collect money from people to pay the government. The people were taxed heavily and unfairly. Zacchaeus made money by taxing people more than what they owed. Zacchaeus was also very wealthy and people were jealous of him.) 5. 100% RESPONSE TOOL: Why did the people grumble when Jesus invited Himself to Zacchaeus’ house? (Because they were jealous that Jesus wanted to be with Zacchaeus and not them. They thought Zacchaeus wasn’t good enough for Jesus to spend time with.) 6. 100% RESPONSE TOOL: Knowing this about Jesus, do you think He wants you to look for people who need mercy like Zacchaeus did? (Yes) 7. 100% RESPONSE TOOL: We have asked this next question several times this month: We know that God is mercy but does that mean it’s okay to sin? Does God care? (Yes He cares. No it’s not okay to keep sinning.) 8. How do we know Zacchaeus had a real heart change? (He offered to pay back everyone he defrauded.) 9. How can we tell if you or I have had a real heart change after receiving mercy? (When someone has had a real heart change, they will want to make things right with the people they wronged.)

Special Prayer Time Let’s spend time doing what our memory verse says to do and ask God to be merciful with us and give us the power to be merciful with others.

Let Me Get This Straight Supplies: Personal Bible is preferred, copies of Scripture listed below for children without a Bible, colored pencils (orange, green, yellow) 1. Turn to Luke 19:1-10. 3. Go around the group and allow each child to read a few verses. 4. With an orange pencil, underline the sentence(s) that show specifically why Zacchaeus needed mercy from Jesus. 5. With a green pencil, underline a cultural thing that showed Jesus was being merciful. 6. Using a yellow pencil, shade Zacchaeus’ response to receiving mercy. What should our response be? Activity #1 Mercy Tree Bookmark Supplies: Mercy tree bookmark, scrap paper, glue sticks Instructions: 1. Explain to children that we all need to receive mercy for something and to give mercy for something. Choose one color of scrap paper to represent all the times you need mercy. 2. Choose other colors to represent all the times you need to show mercy. 3. Glue all your scrap paper to your bookmark to make a “Mercy tree”. Wrap Up: It’s easy to focus on what someone else did wrong or said to hurt us. It is hard to choose to be merciful and to not focus on what they did. But even the people who are hard to be merciful towards need mercy from us. That’s what Jesus did and that’s what He wants us to do too. Let this bookmark remind us that we need mercy from God and we need to show mercy towards others.

Talk About Mercy Tools Don’t judge: In a court of law, judges can judge fairly because they hear both sides of the story. We can’t be a fair judge because we don’t know everything about the situation. God knows everything because He is all-knowing. He knows if a person has been hurt, abused, and mistreated. That doesn’t mean that what they do isn’t sin; it is. It does mean that God knows and understands. When we choose not to judge we say “I don’t know the other side of story and therefore I couldn’t honestly say who is guilty.” Walk in their shoes: When you choose not to judge, you can choose to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. That means you can say “if I could live their life for just one day, I may understand why they act the way they do.” Like we said in “Don’t judge”, we don’t know both sides of the story. If we put ourselves in the other person’s shoes we can begin to understand why they do what they do. A mean classmate probably has been treated poorly by someone. A person that lies might feel like that won’t be loved if they aren’t perfect or maybe they lie because they have been lied to. Don’t focus on it: Many times, when someone does something wrong, we spend all our time thinking about it. All day long we talk about it and think about. We talk about it at the lunch table and to our parent in the car on the way home. When we go to bed at night, we think about this person. That’s called focusing on it. When we are merciful with someone we don’t focus on someone else’s sin. (We should probably be spending time thinking about our own sin. Right?) Care for them: Just like God cares for us even in our sin, we can care for other people even when they sin. We should not be the ones deciding what they deserve. That’s God’s job and He does it very well. However, caring for someone doesn’t mean putting yourself in danger. Some people can hurt you and you should stay away from them. The best way to care for someone is to pray for them. When we choose not to judge, we choose to walk in someone else’s shoes and to draw our focus away from someone else’s sin so that we can pray for them with a pure heart.