Zacchaeus Goes Out on a Limb
Theme: Jesus knows my name.
Scripture: Luke 19:1-10
Complete Supply List
● A tape measure to measure the children
● Bible
● One half banana, cut lengthwise
● Sliced green apples
● 8 vanilla wafers
● Paper plate
● Napkin
● Dull plastic knife
The Children’s Sermon
You’ll Need:
● A tape measure to measure the children
● Bible
Get Ready:
Watch this video if you do not know the song: “Zacchaeus Was a Wee Little Man.”
Zacchaeus Was a Wee Little Man - 3LittleWords - Volume 2
SAY: How tall are you? I thought it might be fun to measure some of you and see
how tall you are. (Take a few minutes to measure some of the children.) Well, some of
you are rather tall and some of you are shorter than some of the others.
SAY: I can remember when I was the age of some of you. I wasn't very tall. Many
times I had trouble reaching things that were up on a high shelf. Sometimes, I
would have to stand on a footstool or pull up a chair to stand on to reach what I
wanted. If there was a tall person sitting in front of me at the movie, I would have to
lean from side to side to see around them or sit on my knees to see over them.
Ask: What are some challenges people face when they’re short? What’s it like for
you when you’re somewhere and you just can’t see? What do you do to try to see
better?
SAY: I don't have to tell you about the problems of being short in a world full of tall
people. You face that problem every day.
SAY: Today's Bible lesson is about a man who was very short. His name is
Zacchaeus. You may know his story. You may have learned this song when you
weren't much more than a baby:
Lead children in singing:
Zacchaeus was a wee little man,
And a wee little man was he.
He climbed up in a sycamore tree,
For the Lord he wanted to see.
And as the Savior passed that way,
He looked up in the tree,
And he said, "Zacchaeus, you come down!
For I'm going to your house today.
For I'm going to your house today.
SAY: When Jesus came by and saw Zacchaeus in the tree, Jesus looked up at him
and called him by name. Jesus knew his name! And Jesus knows your name.
SAY: Jesus said. "Zacchaeus! Come down quickly. I am going to be a guest in your
home today." And Zaccaheus took Jesus to his house. The people could not believe
that Jesus would go to the home of a man like that!
Lead children in acting shocked.
SAY: Jesus changed Zacchaeus. And Zacchaeus said, "I am going to give half of all
that I own to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back
four times the amount."
SAY: Jesus forgave Zacchaeus and said, "Today salvation has come to this house.
For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost."
SAY: Jesus knew Zacchaeus’ name. And he knew everything Zacchaeus had ever
done. When Zacchaeus met Jesus, his life was changed. It doesn't matter if you are
short or tall, Jesus knows your name, too, and Jesus knows everything about you.
Pray: Dear God, we know that when we meet Jesus, it will be a life-changing
experience. Thank You that Jesus knows our name and loves us. In Jesus’ name,
amen.
“Zacchaeus Goes Out on a Limb” Video Lesson
You’ll Need:
● “Zacchaeus Goes Out on a Limb” video lesson
● Something to play the video
Do This: Show the video.
ASK:
● What kind of person do you think people thought Zacchaeus was? Why?
● What do you think caused him to change so much?
● Why do you think Jesus wants us to love even people who are very hard to
love?
● What are some things you can do to show God’s love to people like
Zacchaeus?
Zacchaeus Tree Snack
You’ll Need:
● Zacchaeus Goes Out on a Limb How-to video
● One half banana, cut lengthwise
● Sliced green apples
● 8 vanilla wafers
● Paper plate
● Napkin
● Dull plastic knife
Do This: Have kids follow these steps to make a tree.
1. Lay their cut banana in the center of the plate.
2. Arrange green apples at the top for leaves.
3. Arrange vanilla wafers at the bottom for dirt.
Enjoy!
