Teaching Time

Discuss the Bible story in the same way the opening game was played.

Have children stand in a single row on the tape and face the signs. Make sure children have space in front and behind.

We watched the Bible story about Zacchaeus; now let’s see if we can remember what we learned.

Read the following true and untrue statements about the Bible story. Children decide if you are being truthful, then move to the Happy Gizmo side of the tape for true statements or to the Sad Gizmo side of the tape for untrue statements. If two true or untrue statements are read in a row, children can move back and forth from one side and return back to the side where they were standing. For untrue statements, ask children to make the statement true. For example: If Zacchaeus didn’t climb a ladder to see Jesus, what did he climb? (A tree). 

True statements are bold text.

In today’s Bible story, Jesus visited a town called Jerusalem. Children choose a side.

What town did Jesus visit? Jericho.

Only about five people came out to see Jesus walk through Jericho. Children choose a side.

A large crowd of people came to see Jesus.

A man named Zacchaeus came to see Jesus too. Children choose a side.

Zacchaeus was a farmer. Children choose a side.

He was a tax collector.

Zacchaeus was a rich man. Children choose a side.

Everyone liked Zacchaeus because he was an honest man. Children choose a side.

No one liked Zacchaeus because he cheated them when they paid their taxes.

Zacchaeus was a short man so he could not see Jesus over the crowd. Children choose a side.

Zacchaeus climbed a flagpole so he could see Jesus. Children choose a side.

Zacchaeus climbed a (sycamore) tree.

Jesus did not see Zacchaeus and passed by the tree. Children choose a side.

Jesus saw Zacchaeus and stopped.

Jesus called Zacchaeus by name and told him to come down from the tree so he could go to Zacchaeus’ house. Children choose a side.

Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and was excited to take Jesus to his house. Children choose a side.

The crowd of people was happy that Jesus went to Zacchaeus’ home. Children choose a side.

The people were upset because they said Zacchaeus was a sinner.

Zacchaeus said he would not give any of his money to the poor. Children choose a side.

He said he would give half of his money (wealth) to the poor.

Zacchaeus said he would return four times as much money back to anyone he had cheated on their taxes. Children choose a side.

Jesus said that he came to seek and save those who are lost. Children choose a side.

Good job everyone, you remembered a lot from the video! Jesus came to save the lost, like Zacchaeus. Today, He still looks for people who are lost and need their sins forgiven!