Zacchaeus Climbs a Tree: Sunday School Lesson for Ages 6-10
Ages 6-10 · 45 minutes · free lesson plan · Luke 19:1-10
Children hear how Jesus noticed Zacchaeus in the tree and came to his house. They play a story-review game, make a tree craft, and learn Luke 19:10: Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.
Memory verse
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10, KJV)
Lesson objectives
- Retell the story of Zacchaeus in order, using the events from Luke 19:1-10.
- Explain that Jesus came to seek and to save people who are lost.
- Name one way to respond to Jesus' kindness, as Zacchaeus did.
The full lesson plan
Welcome: Can You See? (5 min)
Setup: Put a small toy behind a tall box at the front. Seat the children a few steps back.
Say: "Good morning! Today we meet a man who really wanted to see someone."
1. Ask the children to find the toy from their seats. They cannot see it.
2. Let them stretch up on tiptoe from their spots. It is still hard.
3. Ask, "What would help you see?" (Stand higher, move closer.)
4. Show the toy by moving the box.
Say: "It is hard to see when something is in the way. Zacchaeus had that problem too."
Say: "Now let's hear what he did."
Bible Story: Zacchaeus in the Tree (8 min)
Read or tell Luke 19:1-10 from the KJV, or in your own words, in this order. Add actions: tiptoe at "Zacchaeus", wave at "Jesus".
Say: "Jesus was passing through a city called Jericho."
A man named Zacchaeus lived there. He was chief among the publicans (tax collectors), and he was rich.
He wanted to see who Jesus was. But there was a crowd, and Zacchaeus was little of stature (short).
So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see Jesus.
When Jesus came to that place, He looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house."
Zacchaeus hurried down and received Jesus joyfully.
The people murmured (grumbled) that Jesus was going to be the guest of a sinner.
Zacchaeus stood and said he would give half his goods to the poor. If he had taken anything wrongly from anyone, he would give back four times as much.
Jesus said, "This day is salvation come to this house."
Say: "Jesus said why He came: to seek and to save that which was lost."
Background: tax collectors worked for the Roman rulers, and many people did not like them.
Say: "Now let's think about what this means."
Jesus Sees You (7 min)
Say: "Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus. But look who saw whom first!"
Point 1 - Jesus noticed him. In a big crowd, Jesus looked up and called Zacchaeus by name. Jesus sees each of us too.
Point 2 - Jesus went to him. The grumbling crowd thought Zacchaeus did not deserve a visit. Jesus went to his house anyway.
Say: "Jesus did not wait for Zacchaeus to be perfect. Jesus came to seek him."
Point 3 - Zacchaeus changed. After meeting Jesus, he wanted to give to the poor and make things right. Jesus' kindness changed his heart.
Point 4 - This is why Jesus came. Jesus said He came to seek and to save the lost. We all need Him, and He welcomes us.
Ask: "Who did Jesus look for in this story?" (Zacchaeus, the person the crowd pushed away.)
Say: "Let's play a game to remember the story."
Game: Climb or Stay! (7 min)
Setup: Write 8 to 10 statements from the story. Mix true and false (for example: "Zacchaeus was a tax collector." "Zacchaeus climbed a palm tree."). Clear a space so children can stand at their seats.
Steps (about 7 min):
1. Explain the rules. If a statement is TRUE, children mime climbing a tree while staying in place. If it is FALSE, they cross their arms and freeze.
2. Read the first statement. Wait for the children to respond.
3. Tell the correct answer. Point to the Bible verse if needed.
4. Continue through the list. Add a false one with the wrong order of events.
5. End with: "Jesus said, 'Come down!'" Everyone mimes climbing down and sits.
Say: "Great listening! You know this story well."
Say: "Now let's talk about what it means."
Safety: children stay in their own spot. No running.
Talk About It (6 min)
Ask the questions below. Sample answers are in parentheses.
1. Why did Zacchaeus climb the tree? (He wanted to see Jesus, and the crowd and his height were in the way.)
2. What did Jesus do when He reached the tree? (He looked up, called Zacchaeus by name, and said He would stay at his house.)
3. Why did the people grumble? (They did not think Jesus should visit a sinner.)
4. How did Zacchaeus show his heart had changed? (He gave to the poor and promised to repay what he had taken wrongly.)
5. What does it mean that Jesus came "to seek and to save"? (He goes looking for people who are far from God and rescues them.)
Say: "Jesus welcomes everyone who wants to know Him."
Say: "Now let's make something to remind us."
Craft: Zacchaeus in the Sycomore Tree (8 min)
Setup: Cut brown paper into tree trunks. Prepare green paper for leaves. Give each child a craft stick. Safety: supervise scissors and glue, and watch for allergies to any craft materials.
Steps (about 8 min):
1. Glue a brown trunk onto a sheet of paper. Tear or cut green paper into leaves and glue them on top.
2. Draw Zacchaeus on the craft stick (a face and body).
3. Tape the stick behind the leaves so Zacchaeus peeks out of the tree. Slide him up and down for "Come down!"
4. Write on the paper: "Jesus came to seek and to save."
5. Let children show a partner and retell the story in one sentence.
Say: "Take this home and tell your family who Jesus came to find."
Say: "Let's gather to finish."
Memory Verse and Prayer (4 min)
Say: "Our verse is Luke 19:10: 'For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.'"
1. Say it line by line. Children echo.
2. Say it again with the tree motion: arms up to "seek," hug arms to "save."
Say: "Let's thank Jesus together."
Prayer: "Jesus, thank You for seeing us and for coming to find us. Thank You for being kind to people who feel left out. Help us welcome You and show kindness to others. Amen."
Say: "See you next week!"
Materials
- Bible (KJV)
- Tall box or stack of books with a small toy hidden behind it
- True/false statement list (written by the teacher from the story)
- Green and brown construction paper
- Crayons or markers
- Safety scissors
- Glue sticks
- Craft sticks (one per child)
Teacher notes
- Safety: scissors, glue and craft materials need supervision. Check for allergies and ask parents first if you substitute materials.
- Adaptation: use picture cards for the story order, pair children in buddies, and give a quiet seated option for the game (thumbs up/down).
- Keep to the text. Do not add details about Zacchaeus' feelings or looks beyond "little of stature." Mark any background as background.
- Zacchaeus' giving is a response to Jesus' kindness, not a price he paid to earn it.
Send it home with parents
Today we learned about Zacchaeus, a rich tax collector who climbed a sycomore tree to see Jesus. Jesus called him by name and went to his house. Zacchaeus' heart changed, and Jesus said He came to seek and to save that which was lost.
- Who did Jesus look for in our story, and why do you think He did that?
- What did Zacchaeus do after he met Jesus?
- How can we welcome someone who feels left out this week?
Read Luke 19:1-10 together. Let your child act out the story or show you the craft. Then say Luke 19:10 together with the motions.
Notice someone who is left out at school or home this week. Greet them kindly, invite them to join in, and tell your family about it.
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