Reading of the story: Jesus and Zacchaeus

Theme discussion

The story of Jesus and Zacchaeus teaches us about God’s forgiveness and new beginnings. Zacchaeus had been a greedy and a cheating tax collector his entire life but that didn’t stop Jesus and God from loving him, God saw his potential for good.

When Jesus called out to Zacchaeus to come down from the tree and asked to be his guest, Zacchaeus realized something. Jesus and God still loved him even when everyone else hated him. When Zacchaeus arrived home with Jesus, he knew he had to change his ways. He found his potential for good and said he would give half his wealth to the poor and pay back anyone he had cheated, four times over.

This story shows that God’s love is unconditional and because of this,we are able to transform our ways knowing that God will forgive our wrongdoings. Everyone can have a second chance to do things right.

Why do you think Jesus wanted to go to Zacchaeus’ house?

How do you think Zacchaeus felt when Jesus wanted to come to his house? How would you feel if Jesus wanted to come to your house?

The crowd didn’t think Zacchaeus deserved to have Jesus in his house, how do you think Jesus felt when the crowd spoke about Zacchaeus like that?

Craft

For today’s craft you’ll need paper, scissors, and markers.

First draw a heart on your paper, then cut out the heart with the scissors.

Now you’re going to write names in the heart, start with your own name and then do your family and friends, you can also do pets if you have any. This is a reminder that we are all loved by God all the time.

Once all the names are in you can decorate the heart however you like.