Jesus the King · Lesson 11
Jesus and Zacchaeus
Luke 19:1-10; Exodus 22:1 New Testament PrincipleRepentance
Zacchaeus, a cheating tax collector, climbed a tree to see Jesus. Jesus called him by name and came to his house, and Zacchaeus turned from his sin and made things right.
Jesus comes to find us before we change. When He welcomes us, we turn from our sin to follow Him.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Luke 19:10 BSB
The Big Story · Redemption
Since the Fall, people have wandered from God, chasing things that can't satisfy. Jesus, the Son of Man, came to seek and save the lost, and those He finds are changed from the inside out.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 40-minute class plan and prep checklist
- Object lesson: Called by name
- Ellie’s Lab (science experiment): See over the crowd
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Climb the tree
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
Jesus came to find me.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Up and down, Color Zacchaeus in the tree
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
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Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
Jesus called Zacchaeus by name and went to his house. Zacchaeus turned from his wrong ways because Jesus loved him first.
Memory verse
“The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Adapted from Luke 19:10
Start here
Ask, "Have you ever been in a crowd where you couldn't see? What did you do?" Let kids share. Say, "Today a short man has a big problem, and he finds a clever answer!"
Bible story 6 min
Jesus came to the town of Jericho. A big crowd was there. Everyone wanted to see Him.
A man named Zacchaeus lived in Jericho. He was a tax collector. He took extra money from people and kept it. People did not like him at all.
Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. But he was short. The crowd was in the way. So he ran ahead and climbed a tree.
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Find the lost coins 8 min
You’ll need: Paper coins
- Hide paper coins around the room. Kids search for the "lost" coins.
- For each coin found, kids say one way to make something right, like "say sorry" or "give it back."
- Say, "Jesus came to look for the lost, and He found Zacchaeus!"
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
3rd – 4th grade
Jesus welcomed Zacchaeus, a cheating tax collector, before he changed, and Jesus' welcome led Zacchaeus to repent, turning from his sin and making things right.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Before and after Jesus, Periscope challenge
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at school, at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
Jesus sought out Zacchaeus and welcomed him before he changed, and that grace produced real repentance, showing that the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: The God who seeks, Coming down the tree
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: online and on screens, at school, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in