INTRODUCTION

Zacchaeus Climbs a Tree to See Jesus

Bible Point:

Jesus loves everyone.

Key Verse:

“Let the little children come to me” (Mark 10:14)

Big Picture:

Children will learn that Jesus loves everyone, even when they make mistakes.

Zacchaeus Climbs a Tree to See Jesus

Luke 19:1-10

Preschoolers are usually eager to please their caregivers and teachers. If they do something wrong and get into trouble, they might become worried about their relationship with the authority figure or wonder if they will still be loved after making a mistake. They’ll be able to understand how Zacchaeus felt when he made poor choices and felt bad about it. But when children realize that Jesus loved Zacchaeus anyway and wanted to spend time with him, they’ll discover that Jesus loves them, too, even when they make mistakes.

BIBLE TIME!

This week’s Scripture (Luke 19:1-10) tells us that Jesus loves everyone. Zacchaeus was a man who collected taxes but took more than he should. He heard that Jesus was coming to town, and he wanted to see Jesus. Because he was short, he climbed into a nearby sycamore-fig tree. As Jesus approached the tree, he looked right at Zacchaeus and told him that he wanted to stay at Zacchaeus’ house! Zacchaeus was so touched by Jesus’ love that his whole life changed! He even gave back money he’d wrongfully taken.

KEY VERSE

“Let the little children come to me” (Mark 10:14).

BIBLE POINT

Jesus loves everyone.

PLAY AND PRAY

Help your child cut out heart shapes from construction paper. Walk around the house with your child. At each door, ask your child, “Can Jesus come into this room?” Allow your child to respond. If your child says “yes,” have him or her tape a heart on the door.

ASK

• How can we ask Jesus into our house?

• How can we show Jesus that we love him?

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

Find a high spot in your town such as a hill or a tall building with windows. Go to the top of that high spot with your child and see what you can see. Remind your child that Zacchaeus climbed up high in a tree so that he could see Jesus. Also remind your child that Jesus found Zacchaeus and that Jesus loves everyone.

ASK

• Who can you see from here?

• Who does Jesus love?

READY, SET, GROW! 

This week, your child learned that Jesus loves everyone. Your child committed to one of the following challenges in order to remember that Jesus loves everyone. Help your child follow through on the challenge!

• Draw a picture of the people in your family. Then tell them all that Jesus loves everyone!

• Ask your parent or grown-up if you can go together to a neighbor’s house with a special treat. Knock on the door, and say “Jesus loves you!” when they answer.

• Tell a friend about Zacchaeus in the tree. Explain that Jesus loves everyone, including people who are short, people who are tall, and people who make good choices and mistakes or poor choices.