Leader Guide
Optional Opening Game
- Zacchaeus Blindfold Game Pages
- Blindfold: use a sleep mask, bandana, or cloth (You may choose to purchase or make one for each child for hygiene purposes.)
- Poster Board
- Glue
- Painter's or masking tape
- Scissors
- OPTIONAL: Pen to write each child's name on a Zacchaeus figure.
Make one copy of the Zacchaeus Blindfold Game Pages (5 pages). Note: make additional copies of the Zacchaeus figure page if you have more than nine children.
Cut apart the individual Zacchaeus figures.
Glue the four pages on the poster board to assemble a tree.
Tape the poster board on a wall at a height where all children can touch the top of the tree.
Mark or tape a starting line about 10 feet from the wall (vary distance as desired).
OPTIONAL: Write each child’s name on one of the Zacchaeus figures.
Have children form a single-file line behind the mark or line.
Can anyone remember the name of the man in the Bible story we’ve been learning about? Zacchaeus.
In our story, Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree, which grows figs—a kind of fruit. Do you think he climbed up the tree just because he wanted a piece of fruit to snack on? Children respond.
In this game, you will each have a chance to help Zacchaeus get up in the tree. Raise your hand if you have played a game called “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.” Children respond.
Show a Zacchaeus figure. When it is your turn, I will put a ring of tape on the back of this figure.
Then I will place a blindfold on you. Try your best not to peek!
You will carefully walk to the wall and try to place the figure in the tree. Once you have stuck your figure to the wall, you can’t move it! You may take the blindfold off and look at the tree to see where you put it.
Play until all children have taken a turn. Remove the figures and play again if time permits.
Note: If a child misses the tree, gently guide them to stand in front of it and try again.
That looked like fun. You did a good job helping Zacchaeus get up into the tree! Just like you helped him to get up the tree, we should always try to help others when we can!
Now, let’s watch the video to see why it was so important for Zacchaeus to climb the tree.