21 - Zacchaeus The Tax Collector and Jesus

In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen

Lesson No. ( 21 )

References: 

Luke 19. 

Notes for Servants 

Many people followed the material and the world, but they found its well split, it does not control water and their souls longed for being irrigated from the live spring that which if he drank from he won't be thirsty at all. 

Jesus who sits at the well to speak to the Samaritan is the one who passes under a Sycamore and calls Zacchaeus to stay at his home. Zacchaeus did not care about the people's views about him: help me God to make all my hope in the life to see you always with a faith vision. 

 To meet with Jesus we have to give up the false respect and pride and the insisting of the world glory which delay our way in the true life with Jesus. 

Objectives 

General: Lord Jesus shows His love to the sinners. 

Specific: 

The children will be able to ... 

1. Know that the world material does not fulfil the needs of the spirit. 
2. Understand that Jesus is waiting for us to come to Him, and He will forgive and cleans our sins. 

Bible Verse 

" And Jesus said to him to-day salvation has come to this house. " ( Luke 19:9 ) 

Teaching Aids 

None. 

Instruction 

(1) Review last week's lesson. 

(2) Remind the children about the church occasions for the coming week. 

(3) Who remembers the last lesson, the verse? 

(4) Who can mention name of a tax collector? and another? 

(5) What is the meaning of chief tax collector? 

(6) Teacher should prepare the appropriate questions to emphasize the objectives during the lesson.

Story Time 

Zacchaeus was a very short man, his position was a chief tax collector, rich, money lover ... he did not have friends because he was a man who loved himself only ... we can imagine that Zacchaeus longed to see Jesus in a special picture. 

Zacchaeus went to his office but all he was thinking about to see Jesus and know Him. His friends at work noticed and asked him what is the matter with you? He answered I want to see Jesus ... they all laughed; “You see Jesus?” He asked them, “Why not see Him?” They answered, “Because you are a person who loves only himself and money and Jesus says in the verse "Love your neighbour like yourself and do not store treasure on earth". Zacchaeus answered but I intend to repent and change my way, they told him if your longing is real Jesus is entering Jericho meanwhile you are too short to see Jesus in the crowd. Zachaus went out of his office quickly leaving the paper and the files on it but Zachaus saw nothing except a multitude of people approaching and because he was very short and wanted to see Jesus he thought and found near him a Sycamore tree and children playing on it ... he ran to the tree he forgot his age and his position and tried to climb it and this was after a long-suffering because it was hard to climb. Since it was soft he climbed, slipped and fell until he got control of it and disappeared among the leaves his longing increased he wished even with just a glance to see Jesus the multitude approaching children, women, men and young people crowded at Jesus Christ everybody was trying to come near Jesus to take blessing and healing.The multitude pass under the tree and suddenly stopped ... why? Jesus raised His eyes, and they thought Jesus was praying. Jesus fixed his eyes on the Sycamore tree ... opened His mouth and spoke to Zacchaeus .... strange .... how did He know my name? “Make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” Zacchaeus was happy, he got down quickly and gloried Jesus who kissed him. Zacchaeus invited all the multitude as his guests .... a great banquet (describe it). Zacchaeus served them (describe his happiness with Jesus and mention a dialogue between them). 

Then Zacchaeus stood and admitted to The Lord Jesus in front of the multitude saying, “Lord I have been evil, unfair, cruel, loving money before knowing you. I repent what I did forgive me and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold. The widow whom un-justify in twenty five dollars, I will repay her back hundred dollars joyfully as You accepted, forgave and loved me. I will also give away half of my own money to the poor.” 

(describe God's happiness with Zacchaeus saying " Today salvation has come to this house". Jesus became a friend to Zacchaeus who got many friends too. 

Discussion 

1 - Follow up the story by talking about it with the children. 

2 - Continue the discussion while they do the activity. 

Learning Activities 

Activity sheet.