🌴the town of Jericho🌳a sycamore tree🏠a meal at his house🎁sharing
Zacchaeus and the tree.
The big ideaThe Bible tells us Jesus called Zacchaeus down, and gave him a new start.
How it works
The Bible tells of a short man named Zacchaeus. He lived in the town of Jericho, and he wanted to see Jesus.
The crowd was too big and he was too short, so he ran on ahead and climbed a sycamore tree.
Jesus stopped under the tree, looked up and called Zacchaeus by name. He told him to hurry down, because he wanted to stay at his house.
Zacchaeus was so glad. He said he would give half of what he had to people who needed it, and pay back anything he took.
The story in a row.
🌴a warm town with palm trees🌳a sycamore with wide, low branches🍞a meal shared at home
In the story.
Example 1: Too short to see
Stand on tiptoes behind a chair.
Zacchaeus hopped on his tiptoes, but he could only see backs and hats.
So he ran ahead and found a tree.
Example 2: Say a name kindly
Call out Zacchaeus, the way Jesus called him.
Jesus knew his name, out of all the people.
Say a friend's name kindly, so they feel seen.
Example 3: Share half
Take some crayons or a snack.
Zacchaeus said he would give half of what he had to people who needed it.
Share some with someone, with a grown-up.
Example 4: Ask someone to play
Think of a child who is alone at playtime.
Zacchaeus felt a little lonely before Jesus called him.
You can ask someone who is alone to play.
Words to know
Jericho
The warm town where Zacchaeus lived, with palm trees.
sycamore
A tree with wide, low branches, good for climbing.
tax collector
Someone who collected money for the ruler. Zacchaeus was the chief one.
share
To give some of what you have to others.
Watch out
Zacchaeus was short. That is why he climbed the tree.
Some people grumbled that Jesus went to his house. The Bible tells us Jesus wanted to be friends with Zacchaeus.
Zacchaeus did not stay up in the tree or run away. He slid down, glad.
Try it
Why did Zacchaeus climb a tree?
What did Jesus call out?
What did Zacchaeus do with half of what he had?
A child is alone at playtime. What can you do?
Answers: 1. He was too short to see over the crowd · 2. Zacchaeus's name · 3. Gave it to people who needed it · 4. Ask them to play
Try at homeWith a grown-up, think of one thing you can share or one way to put something right, and do it today.
For grown-upsRetell it with a toy and a block for the tree. Ask who felt lonely at the start and who felt glad at the end. For the mission, share one thing today or put one thing right.
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