This lesson teaches children that Jesus came to seek and save people who are lost, and that He loves even the people others find hard to like. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the verses, and a simple activity.
Big Idea
Jesus looks for people others have given up on, and He wants to be their friend. When He finds them, they can change their hearts and choose to make things right.
Memory Verse
Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”
(WEB)
Teach the children to cup both hands and slowly bring them together, like finding something precious. Say the verse together while you make the motion, then ask them to do it with you until everyone can say it without looking.
The Story: Luke 19 for Kids
Jesus was walking through a town called Jericho, and a big crowd was all around Him. A man named Zacchaeus wanted very much to see Jesus, but he was short, and he could not see over the people. Zacchaeus was a tax collector, and many people did not like tax collectors because they often took more money than they should. He was also very rich, so some people looked down on him.
Zacchaeus had an idea. He ran ahead of the crowd and climbed up into a sycamore tree, so he could finally look down and see Jesus as He passed by. He must have felt pretty clever up there in the branches.
When Jesus reached that spot, He stopped, looked up, and called Zacchaeus by name. He said, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, because today I must stay at your house.” Zacchaeus climbed down quickly and welcomed Jesus with a happy heart.
Some people in the crowd complained. They said Jesus had gone to stay with a man who had done wrong. But Zacchaeus stood up and told Jesus that he would give half of his things to people who were poor. He also promised to pay back four times as much to anyone he had cheated.
Jesus said that salvation had come to that house that very day. He explained that He came to look for people who were lost and to save them. Then Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, still looking for people who needed Him.
Read It Together
Luke 19:2-4
2 There was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, and couldn’t because of the crowd, because he was short. 4 He ran on ahead, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was going to pass that way.
(WEB)
Point out that Zacchaeus was a tax collector and rich, yet he still ran ahead and climbed a tree to see Jesus. Ask the children what it tells us about how much Zacchaeus wanted to meet Jesus.
Luke 19:5-6
5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” 6 He hurried, came down, and received him joyfully.
(WEB)
Show the children that Jesus did not wait for Zacchaeus to come to Him. Jesus called him by name and invited Himself to dinner, and Zacchaeus was glad to welcome Him.
Luke 19:8-9
8 Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor. If I have wrongfully exacted anything of anyone, I restore four times as much.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham.
(WEB)
Help the children see that Zacchaeus changed his actions after meeting Jesus. Point out that Jesus said salvation had come to the house, which means Zacchaeus was made right with God.
Talk About It
- Why do you think Zacchaeus wanted so badly to see Jesus?
- What did the people in the crowd think about Jesus going to Zacchaeus’s house?
- How did Jesus show Zacchaeus that He cared about him?
- What did Zacchaeus decide to do to make things right with the people he had hurt?
- Who is someone you know who might feel left out, and how could you show that person kindness?
Activity Ideas
Sycamore Tree Craft
You will need brown paper, green construction paper, glue, markers, and a small paper figure of a man for each child. Have the children draw a tree trunk and branches on brown paper, then glue green paper leaves to the top. Let them place the small paper figure in the branches so they can see Zacchaeus looking down. Talk together about how Jesus saw Zacchaeus even when he was hidden among the leaves.
Find the Lost Coin Game
Hide several small items, such as coins or colored beads, around the room before class. Tell the children that Jesus looks for people who are lost, and they will search for the hidden items. Each child who finds one can say one way they can help someone feel included. This game gets the children moving and connects the search to Jesus seeking people.
Take-Home Kindness Card
You will need index cards, pencils, and crayons. Give each child a card and ask them to draw a picture of one kind thing they can do this week, like sharing a toy or inviting a classmate to play. Encourage them to bring the card back next week to share what they did. This helps the story come home and reminds the children that Jesus wants them to care for others.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that Jesus actively seeks out people the community has rejected, and He offers them a place at His table. Zacchaeus’s response reveals that real repentance produces restitution and generosity, not just words. The story also reminds us that salvation is a gift Jesus brings, not something we earn by our own cleverness.
Be careful not to suggest to children that doing good things earns Jesus’s love. The story is about Jesus taking the first step toward Zacchaeus before any change happened. Make sure children understand that Jesus loves them first, and their kind actions are a response to that love.
A Prayer to Close
Jesus, thank You for looking for us when we are lost and calling us by name. Help us to be kind to people others leave out, just as You were kind to Zacchaeus. Teach us to want You in our homes and hearts every day. Amen.
