YEA Lesson Library
The Man in the Tree
About This Lesson
This lesson teaches about Zacchaeus’ desire to see Jesus.
Scriptures
2 Chronicles 22:9
Psalm 14:2; 27:4; 63:1
Matthew 6:33; 7:7
Luke 19:1-10
Luke 19:9
Romans 6:22-23
Colossians 3:1
Words to Know
SIN - to do wrong, break God’s Law
FORGIVE - excuse or pardon, not punish
TAXES - money you are required to pay the government
Daily Devotions
Sunday - Matthew 7:7
Monday - Matthew 6:33
Tuesday - Colossians 3:1
Wednesday - 2 Chronicles 22:9
Thursday - Psalm 63:1
Friday - Psalm 14:2
Saturday - Psalm 27:4
YEAH — At-Home Activity
1. Ten Things. Have the students help you think of ten things that short people can’t do: pick apples high in the tree, reach items on the top shelf, see over people’s head in the movie theatre, stand in the back during a family photo, see over fences, saddle a horse, see their friends on the other side of a crowded room, etc. The students are likely to build on previous answers. So you’ll get answers like “Can’t reach apples in the apple tree” as well as “Can’t pick peaches in the tree” or “Can’t reach the cherries in the cherry tree.” That’s okay. Accept all answers because rejecting any answers tends to stop the brainstorming flow. You’ll want to add the last one to the list: you can’t see Jesus coming down the road because of all the taller people around you. Then talk about solutions: find a tall friend, get a ladder, climb on top of a rock, buy an apple picker, grow, climb on someone’s shoulders, climb a tree, jump, etc. Read Luke 19:1-10 to the students.
2. Comic Strip. Read the lesson to the students. Then give each student a 4 x 11-inch strip of paper to make a comic strip of Luke 19:1-10. The first frame would be Zacchaeus behind all of the people trying to see Jesus coming. The second frame would be Zacchaeus climbing the tree to see. The third frame would be Jesus telling Zacchaeus to come down, that He is going to his house that day. Write the memory verse along the bottom of the strip. Title the strip “The Man in the Tree.”
3. Sing! Read the lesson to the students. Then sing the song “Zacchaeus Was a Wee Little Man” in the Kids’ Classics Collection songbook. There are action notations to include. (Music will stick with students even when they have forgotten where in the Bible this story is found.) This would be a fun song to do as special music if you have a large enough class and the setting is appropriate for doing so.
4. I Want to See Jesus. Read the lesson to the students. Ask them if they have ever thought about seeing Jesus like Zacchaeus wanted to see Him. Obviously Jesus is not walking the earth as he did 2000 years ago. But He is alive. Read Jeremiah 29:13 to the children. Ask them to help you brainstorm 1) how we can seek Jesus: reading your Bible, praying, going to church, learning your memory verse, reading your lesson with your parents before class, doing the daily devotions, etc. and 2) how we might see Jesus working in our lives: answering prayers, protection from danger, provision of needs, comfort when you’re afraid, guidance in making decisions, help to do the right thing.
Then have the students color a drawing of a tree. Along the bottom of the page you should have printed the memory verse for this lesson. When they are finished, give them some homemade magnets that you’ve made for them prior to class. Construct these magnets using leaf shapes, onto which you write pray, practice your memory verse, read your Bible, etc. You might want to use green cardstock to give the magnets some weight. When you are finished printing one activity on each leaf, cover them with clear contact paper on the front and affix a piece of magnetic tape to the back. The students can take home the tree they colored and the leaf magnets you gave to them. Encourage them to put the pictures on the refrigerator at home as a reminder to daily seek God.
5. Memory Verse Drawing. Read the lesson to the students. Give each student a page where you’ve written the memory verse in bubble letters across the bottom of the page. Have them draw a picture of what the memory verse makes them think of. (Salvation has come to your house. Luke 19:9). Let them color the letters and their picture with their favorite color tools.
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Name at least two facts about Zacchaeus.
2. Explain that they shouldn’t give up easily if they want something that is good for them.
3. Tell how Zacchaeus was able to see Jesus.
4. Recite their memory verse.
Topics & Themes
Forgiveness
Jericho
Jesus, His Ministry
Perseverance
Repentance
Sycamore Tree
Tax collectors
Zacchaeus
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA Students’ and Teacher’s books, atten- dance and memory verse charts, stars, butcher’s paper, brown paint or crayons, green finger paint, styrofoam plates, old shirts to protect children’s clothing, flannel board and figures, songbook, CD, CD player, prizes
Preparation
These comprehensive lessons are designed to get one idea across each week. The Scripture, memory verse, review, activity, song, and prayer are all intended to drive home this point in different ways. All of these steps have their importance in the learning process. It would be a mistake to leave out a step such as the song. Words set to music are learned and retained far better than the spoken word. Include action or hand motions with as many of the songs as you can.
The more you work with young children, the more you will realize that it is important to be realistic with your expectations. The ability to comprehend and perform certain skills will differ from child to child. Allow time to help the slower or reluctant children. Give them much encouragement.
Your class will love this story because they can relate to a man who was so short that he couldn’t see over the heads of tall people. The use of a flannel board and figures will help make this lesson come alive. Flannel boards can be purchased at your local Christian bookstore.
Try doing the activity first—you can use it as a prop. Before class, make a tree trunk with branches about five feet tall on butcher’s paper. Color or paint the tree brown. The children will make the leaves with their hand prints. You can then hang the tree on the wall of your classroom.
Since this is the last lesson it this unit, you may want to award a small prize to each child who has quoted all ten memory verses.
Things like Bible coloring books and crayons can be purchased at your local Christian bookstore or dollar stores.
Review Questions
1. How big was Zacchaeus?
2. What kind of work did Zacchaeus do?
3. Who did Zacchaeus want to see?
4. What did he do to see over the heads of the people?
5. What did Jesus say to Zacchaeus?
Teacher-Directed Activity
Lay the butcher’s paper on which you have drawn the tree on the floor. Each child will need an old shirt to protect his clothing. Pour a small amount of green finger paint into a styrofoam plate. Help each child make “hand print leaves” for the tree by dipping the palm of his hand into the paint. Let children place their “leaves” on the tree branches. If your class is small, each child should be allowed to make several “leaves.” Hang the tree on the wall, being careful not to smear the paint.
REACH Activity
Letter: Z
Words: Zacchaeus, zip, zoom, zoo
Sentence:
THERE WAS A ZOO OF PEOPLE! SO ZACCHAEUS DECIDED TO ZOOM UP A TREE
AND ZIP HIS LIPS SO HE COULD SEE JESUS.
Song
“Zacchaeus” is on page 29 of the Kids Classics Collection. Be sure to do the motions.
Closing Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that you love me. Thank you that you forgave Zacchaeus. Please forgive me when I do bad things. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Printable Pages
