Teaching Time

Text: Luke 19:1-10

Make one copy of the Coin Pouch on cardstock in color or black and white.

Cut out the two sides of the pouch and fold in the middle on the dotted line.

Punch holes where shown. Weave the yarn through the holes on both sides of the pouch.

Place the coins in the pouch.   

 

Encourage children to participate as much as possible as you tell the Bible story below. Emphasize the words in bold text, which correspond to an action you model for the children to imitate. Vary your facial expression, voice, and volume level to hold children’s attention and interest.     

 

●      Jesus was walking through a town called Jericho. Walk in place.  

●      A crowd of people came to look for Jesus. They stood on tiptoes to see Him. Stand on tiptoes, “stretch” neck, and turn head side to side.

●      Our story is about a man who wanted to see Jesus, but he was too short to see above the crowd. Can you remember his name? Zacchaeus.

●      What did Zacchaeus do for a living? He collected taxes.

●      Zacchaeus was rich because he took more tax money than he should from the people. Hold up the coin pouch, remove some coins, and slowly pour them back into the bag.

●      What’s it called when you take something that you shouldn’t? Cheating, stealing.  

●      Did the people like Zacchaeus? No!

●      Even though he was rich, he wasn’t happy. Make a sad face.

●      When Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was in Jericho, he ran to see Him. Children stand and run in place.

●      Zacchaeus had a problem. He was a small man. Children stand, then crouch down.

●      He couldn’t see Jesus over the crowd. Stand on tiptoes and “stretch" neck as you look forward, then jump up and down to try to see.  

●      Raise your hand if you have ever gone to a parade and couldn’t see over the crowd. Children respond.

●      Maybe an adult lifted you up, or you sat on someone’s shoulder to see.

●      But did anybody help Zacchaeus? No. 

●      Zacchaeus had no friends! But he really wanted to see Jesus; maybe Jesus could help him to be happy! Make a happy face.

●      Zacchaeus thought and thought. What could he do? Does anyone have an idea? Climb a tree!

●      He looked and saw a sycamore tree. Put hand over eyes to look up at the treetop.

●      Zacchaeus ran as fast as he could and quickly climbed the tree. Run in place and then make a climbing motion with your hands.

●      Up, up, up he went! Finally, he was high enough to see Jesus!

●      Not only did Zacchaeus see Jesus—Jesus saw him! Look up.

●      Jesus called Zacchaeus’ name. Call Zacchaeus’ name together.

●      Then Jesus said, “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”

●      Zacchaeus was filled with excitement and joy! Make a happy face and jump up and down.

●      He climbed down as fast as he could and walked with Jesus to his house. Make motions to climb down, then walk in place.

●      How do you think the crowd felt? Raise your hand if you think they were angry. Children respond.

●      That’s right! Instead of being happy for Zacchaeus, the crowd was angry! They thought, how can Jesus go to the home of a man who was a sinner? He took their money by cheating! Show the bag, remove some coins, then slowly pour the coins back into the bag.

●      Zacchaeus looked the same on the outside—but inside, was he the same? No.

●      Zacchaeus was a new man, an honest man who loved Jesus with all his heart! Place hand over your heart.

●      Zaccheus said, “I will give half my money to the poor.” Hold up the money bag.

●      He also said, “If I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” Hold up your hand and slowly count to four on your fingers as the children count aloud with you.   

●      Zacchaeus was full of joy. Make a happy face and jump up and down.

●      His sins were forgiven, and his life was changed forever! Celebrate!

 

Zacchaeus was sorry for not being honest, so Jesus forgave him.  

When we do wrong things like disobeying, cheating, telling a lie, or being unkind, that is called sin.

When we sin, we can go to Jesus and ask Him to forgive us. What will Jesus do? He will forgive us!